DALLAS Mavericks moved closer to the NBA Western Conference finals after a 104-92 win over Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Division semifinals on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Luka Doncic led the way with a triple-double of 31 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, while Derrick Jones Jr. provided 19 markers as the Mavericks took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Kyrie Irving tallied 12 points, Dereck Lively II contributed a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, and PJ Washington Jr. tallied 10 points and 10 rebounds for Dallas.
Holding to a slim 24-22 lead after the opening quarter, the Mavericks started to create separation from the Thunder in the second frame behind conversions from Doncic and Jones for a 54-44 halftime edge.
Dallas maintained the 10-point edge early in the fourth quarter before they pulled away with connections from Doncic for the largest lead of 89-71.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top-scored for the Thunder with 30 points, Chet Holmgren added 13 markers, Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams tallied 12 points each, and Josh Giddey ended with 11 points.
Meanwhile, Boston Celtics moved on to the Eastern Conference finals after a 113-98 victory over the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the Division semifinals, wrapping up the series at 4-1.
Trailing by as much as six points in the second quarter, the Celtics quickly turned things around with consecutive points from Jayson Tatum to take a 58-52 halftime lead.
The game continued to be tight for both teams in the third quarter before the Celtics created a much-needed separation in the fourth quarter for a 113-96 lead.
Tatum led the way with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, Al Horford added a double-double of 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Derrick White and Jrue Holiday contributed 18 and 13, respectively, for the Celtics./PN
BOX SCORE:
DALLAS 104 — Doncic 31, Jones 19, Irving 12, Lively 11, Washington 10, Gafford 9, Hardaway 5, Green 5, Hardy 2, Exum 0, Lawson 0.
OKLAHOMA CITY 92 — Gilgeous-Alexander 30, Greenhorn 13, Dort 12, Jal. Williams 12, Giddey 11, Joe 6, Wallace 3, Jay. Williams 3, Wiggins 2, Dieng 0.
Quarterscores: 24-22, 54-44, 79-67, 104-92.
