The top-seeded OKC Thunder will face the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday at 8:30 p.m.
Dallas holds a 2-1 lead in the seven-game series. The Mavericks defeated the Thunder 105-101 at home in Game 3 on Saturday.
Here's what you need to know about the matchup.
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Thunder vs. Mavericks live score updates
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Final: Thunder 100, Mavericks 96 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, tied 2-2 in OKC series
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made both free throws en route to a 34-point night.
What a heist for the Thunder, who looked dead in the water for much of the game.
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0:09.4 remaining in 4Q: Thunder 98, Mavericks 95
Chet Holmgren made both free throws.
0:10.1 remaining in 4Q: Thunder 96, Mavericks 95
Luka Doncic is making 1 of 2 free throws and the Thunder will be hanging on.
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1:07 remaining 4Q: Thunder 96, Mavericks 91
In the first 41 minutes of tonight, Lou Dort and Jaylen Williams were a combined 5-for-27. They just made some of the biggest plays of their lives. OKC led 96-91 with 1:07 left.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
3:19 left in 4Q: Thunder 89, Mavericks 86
Shai is doing everything he can to give OKC a chance. OKC went on a 9-0 run.
6:36 left 4Q: Mavericks 82, Thunder 75 | Mark Daigneault disputes call
Daigneault tries another out-of-bounds call. Dort was ejected after his second 3PA on that possession. OKC lost 82-75 with 6 minutes, 36 seconds left.
Update: Challenge successful, Thunderball. It's a good day of challenge for him, but this is his last day.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
End of 3rd quarter: Mavericks 69, Thunder 65 | OKC manages to get a shot into an even series
After three, Dallas leads 69-65. It's pretty surprising that it's such a close game this late in the game, with OKC shooting 34.8% from the field and 16.7% with Shy's pull-ups being their most reliable form of offense. The Thunder finally broke the 7-10 point deficit. We'll probably have to start from fourth place.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
What's wrong with Jaylen Williams in the Thunder vs. Mavericks series?
Jaylen Williams had 2 hits for 11 today. He entered today's game shooting 27.3% from inside the arc pull-ups. He also entered the game with a 6% drop in efficiency on shots from inside 10 feet compared to the regular season.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
5:02 left in 3rd quarter: Mavs 64, Thunder 54
SGA is 5/5 in non-paint 2. That feels like the Thunder's only reliable offense.
—Joe Moussatto, Staff Writer
What are Josh Giddy's stats so far in this series?
Josh Guidi will start on the bench in the second half. Isaiah Joe also nods.
In a total of 41 minutes in the first three games of the series, Guidi had 19 points, three assists, and nine rebounds. Tonight he scored five points on 2-of-7 shooting.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff Writer
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander likely to take over again
No one wonders why some interpret SGA's aggressiveness late in Game 3 as an indication that he is trying to take the game into his own hands, or that he needs to. He tends to have to start over again. He could be more involved, but Chet doesn't seem involved enough.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
Half: Mavericks 54, Thunder 43
A cruel end to the first half. Dort slides left and right with Luka, and Luka hits an FU 3 to make contact. OKC took one look and charged, Chet's dunk attempt being altered and Dort's putback attempt being jumped. 54-43 Dallas. OKC shot 34.9% from the field and made 11 of 3.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
What's going on for the Mavericks midway through the second quarter?
Dallas either focused the ball on their preferred OKC shooters or trapped their threatening shooters in the corners. This will disrupt the flow.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
Thunder's lineup starts with Josh Giddy and Kenrich Williams in the second quarter.
Josh Guidy will start at second. Kenrich Williams gets the first minutes here.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
End of 1st quarter: Mavericks 30, Thunder 20
Given Gafford's development and the trap set for SGA, this may be Shai's toughest situation yet. Dallas won't allow Chet 3 and JDub is going to run PNR with Giddy. The starters are digging a hole that this version of the offense alone cannot climb out of.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
For OKC, a bad start has been a hallmark of the Thunder vs. Mavericks series thus far.
OKC cannot continue spending every game off this lack of multi-possession. Currently 14 wins and 6 losses. In Game 3 he was 5-for-11 in Dallas when OKC called timeout. The Thunder were 16-7 when they subbed Josh Guidy early in Game 2.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
7:00 left in 1Q: Mavericks 14, Thunder 6 | Worst start for OKC
Luka Doncic capped off a 7-0 Mavericks run with a 3-pointer. Mark Daigneault decided enough was enough and called a timeout.
OKC was 3-of-10 from the field and 0-of-3 from deep.
Doncic had 7 points.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff Writer
9:08 left in 1Q: Thunder 4, Mavericks 4 | Lou Dort gets into early foul trouble
Less than three minutes into the game, Luka Doncic forced Lou Dort to commit his second foul, but Dort stayed.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff Writer
Mark Daigneault talks about Thunder's position
Daigneault was asked about the difference between “pressing” and “tense play.”
The Thunder have only lost three in a row once in the regular season, but OKC will be looking to avoid that fate Monday night.
“I think the situation creates urgency and motivation,” Daigneault said. “Everyone is motivated and has a sense of urgency right now. For us, a lot of that is doubling down on trusting who we are and trusting the habits we have built.” It’s about letting them do it.”
Daigneault put the Thunder's position into perspective.
“A year ago, with no offense to the front office guys here, I was at the combine,” Daigneault said. “I’d rather be here in the second round of the playoffs than the combine.”
—Joe Moussatto, Staff Writer
Can PJ Washington maintain his strong record?
Mavericks forward P.J. Washington, who has shot 35 percent from 3-point range in his career, has shot 54 percent from 3-point range in the first three games of this series.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was asked about the balance between trusting the math that Washington must cool down and giving Washington special attention.
“You can't ignore what's happening in the series in terms of focusing on sample size,” Daigneault says. “He's obviously playing with a lot of confidence right now… It would be tone deaf not to respond to that.”
—Joe Moussatto, Staff Writer
Thunder vs. Mavericks Highlights
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OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Playoffs Game 4 predictions
Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman
Dallas has momentum right now.
Luka Doncic continues to do damage despite being beaten up. PJ Washington is playing the best basketball of his career. Josh Guidi was played out of play.
However, as long as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has recorded a double-double with 30 points in two consecutive games, is present, it is difficult to imagine OKC losing three straight games. If the Thunder can break out of their 3-point shooting slump, they should be able to win Game 4.
prediction: Thunder 104, Mavericks 100
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Game 4: How to watch OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks
- date: Monday, May 13th
- time: 8:30pm (Central time)
- tv set: TNT
- Live stream: Sling (free viewing)
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OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks injury report
OKC Thunder injury report
none
Dallas Mavericks injury report
Maxi Kleber (right shoulder sprain) is out. Olivier Maxence-Prosper (left ankle sprain) is absent.
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OKC Thunder projected starting lineup
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG)
- Josh Guidy (12.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.8 APG)
- Le Dort (10.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG)
- Jalen Williams (19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG)
- Chet Holmgren (16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 APG)
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Dallas Mavericks projected starting lineup
- Luka Doncic (33.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.8 APG)
- Kyrie Irving (25.6 PPG, 5 RPG, 5.2 APG)
- Derrick Jones Jr. (8.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1 APG)
- PJ Washington (11.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.5 APG)
- Daniel Gafford (11.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 APG)
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OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks Playoff Series Schedule
- Game 1: OKC 117, Dallas 95
- Game 2: Dallas 119, OKC 110
- Game 3: Dallas 105, OKC 101
- Game 4: OKC 100, Dallas 96
- Game 5: Wednesday, May 15th, 8:30pm, OKC (TNT)
- Game 6: Saturday, May 18, 7:30 p.m., Dallas (ESPN)
- Game 7 (if required): Monday, May 20th, 7:30pm, OKC (TNT)
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OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks regular season series record
OKC won the regular season series 3-1.
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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA Playoffs Game 4 betting odds
Odds provided by BetMGM, as of Monday, May 13th
- Spread: Dallas (-1.5)
- Top/Bottom: 215.5
- Money line: Dallas -115 | OKC-105
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2024 NBA Playoffs
1st round pick: Celtics vs Heat | Knicks vs 76ers | Bucks vs Pacers | Cavaliers vs Magic | Thunder vs Pelicans | Nuggets vs Lakers | Timberwolves vs Suns | Clippers vs Mavericks
2nd round pick: Thunder vs. Mavericks | Nuggets vs. Timberwolves | Celtics vs. Cavaliers | Knicks vs. Pacers
more:2024 NBA Playoffs: Complete schedule, bracket breakdown and how to watch
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