Mavericks Vs. Thunder, Game 3: Dallas Holds Off Oklahoma City, 93-87

That Dallas won Game 3 -- and had such a large lead early -- without Nowitzki playing like gold has to be scary for the Thunder. On the one hand, they should have more confidence in their gameplan to stop him. On the other, the Mavericks know they can win with defense if Dirk struggles.

Through two quarters of Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, it looks very much like the Dallas Mavericks will take a 2-1 series lead on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavs kept up the pressure in the second quarter, and take a 52-36 lead into halftime.

Dallas led by as much as 23 in the second quarter, and is running its offense without relying on Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki has just four points — six other Mavericks have more than four points, including every other starter — and has taken four shots so far. Exceptional ball movement has given the Mavs open shot after open shot, and they’ve made a lot of them: Shawn Marion leads Dallas with 12 points, and the Mavericks have racked up 14 assists on 21 field goals.