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.
Mavericks Vs. Thunder Score, Game 3: Second Quarter Brings More Dallas Excellence
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.
The Thunder, on the other hand, are relying on their youngest, biggest guns. Russell Westbrook, who sat for much of the first quarter with two fouls, leads Oklahoma City with 12 points, and Kevin Durant has 10. But the other Thunder players are a combined five-of-17 from the field, and Game 2 spark James Harden has been completely shut out of the scoring column. Worse still, the Thunder have been forced into a lot of bad jumpers — and have made just three on the night.
It would be easy to say the Thunder simply haven’t shown up. But, of course, tonight is sort of special. So thanks, Oklahoma City, for the proliferation of Rapture jokes on Twitter.
Check out our Mavericks vs. Thunder hub for full series coverage. For more on the Thunder, visit Welcome To Loud City. For more on the Mavericks, visit Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.
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