The Dallas Mavericks had done everything in their power to thwart the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference Quarterfinals series, including having Dirk Nowitzki get them the lead with less than 10 seconds to play.
2012 NBA Playoffs, Thunder Vs. Mavericks Final Score: Kevin Durant’s Game-Winner Sinks Dallas
Then Kevin Durant hit a game-winner that NBA fans will see for years and years.
Durant, who struggled all night, threw up a prayer from the free throw line that hit the rim, kissed the backboard, and fell in to give the Thunder a 99-98 victory. It gave him 25 points on the night (on 10-for-27 shooting), and gave Oklahoma City a 1-0 lead in the series.
Dallas controlled most of the game, leading for most of the fourth quarter and keeping Durant in check. But the spring-legged Thunder played suffocating defense in the dying throes of the fourth quarter and closed on a 14-6 run.
Russell Westbrook led all scorers with 28 points, and Serge Ibaka had 22 points and five blocks for OKC. Dallas got 25 points from Nowitzki, and 20 from Jason Terry, but Terry was held scoreless in the fourth quarter as the Thunder turned up the defensive pressure.
Game 2 of the series will be Monday night in Oklahoma City. If it’s anything like the thrilling Game 1, it will be somewhere between must-see and can’t-miss.
For more on the Thunder, visit SB Nation’s Thunder blog Welcome to Loud City. For more on the Mavericks, visit SB Nation’s Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas. For more on the 2012 NBA Playoffs check out SB Nation’s dedicated NBA hub.
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