Thunder Use Late Run to Beat Mavs in Game 4 and Tie Series
The Oklahoma City Thunder went on a 9-0 and 16-5 run in the fourth quarter to take the lead for good and beat the Dallas Mavericks 100-96 in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Monday night.
The series is tied at two games apiece following a game in which the Thunder trailed almost the entire way, before the decisive run that clinched the win.
Three straight baskets by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander started the run and tied the game at 86.
SGA had 34 points to lead all scorers.
Two baskets by Jalen Williams helped finish it, including a layup off a steal by Luguentz Dort.
Williams had 14 points and Dort scored 17.
Chet Holmgren was also in double figures with 18 points and 9 rebounds.
The Thunder shot just 38 percent from the field and were 7-for-27 from three-point range.
Dallas' shooting was only a little better, and they were poor at the free throw line, making just 12 of 23.
The biggest of the misses came with 10 seconds left, when Luka Doncic had two free throws with a chance to tie the game but missed the first one.
Doncic did have a triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
OKC committed just seven turnovers in the game and were 23-for-24 at the free throw ling.
The Thunder avoided their third straight playoff loss, and avoided a 3-1 series deficit, something they've never overcome to win a series.
The Thunder return home for Game 5 on Wednesday night at 8:30 pm.