Dirk Nowitzki led all scorers in the game with 31 points. Kevin Durant shot 5 of 17. Those are the sorts of figures that might lead you to believe that the Dallas Mavericks tied up their first round series with the Oklahoma CIty Thunder. You would also be wrong. Instead, the Thunder showed grit in hard-fought game last night that ended 102-99 in favor of OKC.
The Mavs are now 0-2 in the opening series of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, and the title defense is looking shaky from the outset. It’s not for lack of trying or opportunity, since both games have featured late leads for Dallas. They just haven’t been able to close things out. That’s the sort of thing a veteran team should excel in.
Durant finished with 26 points, but Russell Westbrook led the Thunder with 29. Durant added 10 rebounds and James Harden had a solid all-around game for OKC with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
Jason Kidd grabbed his 1,000th career rebound in the playoffs in this game for the Mavs, placing him in historic company. Only Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen and Magic Johnson have 1,000 points, rebounds and assists. It is, however, a small consolation for the Mavs who now have their backs against the proverbial wall.
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