The Thunder dominated the Mavericks for the second game in a row in Dallas. They never trailed and led by as many as 15 en route to a 119-108 win. Oklahoma City will now have a chance to close the series at home Monday. Enes Kanter led all scorers with 28 points, while Dirk Nowitzki had 27 in the losing effort.
Thunder vs. Mavericks, 2016 NBA playoff results: Oklahoma City never trails in 119-108 Game 4 win
The Thunder will now have the chance to end the series at home on Monday.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Things looked dire for the Mavericks, who were trying to tie the series at two, almost from the start. Deron Williams tried to play through an injury but had to leave the court minutes after the game started. Soon after, they were trailing by double digits, as Dion Waiters torched him. It was exactly the type of situation they needed to avoid in order to have a shot at beating Oklahoma City.
Things got chippy in the second quarter. Salah Mejri and J.J. Barea got into it with the Thunder's bench after the big man asked Anthony Morrow for the ball and was denied. Mejri and Westbrook jawed at each other and got double technicals, but fortunately things didn't get out of hand.
The scuffle managed to energize the Mavericks, at least for a while. Mejri had a couple of big blocks and contributed six second-quarter points to help Dallas reduce the deficit. The Thunder regained control later in the period, with Durant leading the way. They couldn’t reach their max lead of 15 points, but they kept the Mavericks at arm’s length, always responding to their attempts to make a run. At the half, they were up by nine, 57-49
The Mavericks were much sharper on offense to start the second half, with Nowitzki looking rejuvenated and the ball handlers making the right decisions. Normally, the way they played would have allowed them to take over the game, but they simply ran into an inspired Westbrook, who almost single-handedly kept the Thunder’s lead intact. Westbrook finished the frame with 12 points and five assists and Oklahoma City led by 10 going into the final period.
The Thunder have had trouble closing out games all season long, but this time they didn’t give Dallas the chance to steal it. Oklahoma City continued to execute and never allowed a big run. They got an easy win that puts them in position to close the series back home in Game 5.
3 things we learned from the Thunder’s Game 4 win
The role players came through for the Thunder
The Thunder typically struggle when Westbrook and Durant do because their entire offense is built around their elite talent. In Game 4, however, the supporting cast was fantastic and it helped make up for solid but not spectacular nights from the two stars, who combined for just 44 points on 39 shots.
The big men in particular contributed more on offense than they typically do. Enes Kanter, Serge Ibaka and Steven Adams all scored in double digits and dominated the offensive boards, combining for seven. Dion Waiters also made some important buckets and provided some playmaking off the bench.
In this series, the role players and the bench have stepped up. That has to be a welcome sight for Billy Donovan because in order to make a deep run, the Thunder will need more than just two players to carry the offensive load.
Expect things to remain chippy in Game 5
There have been a lot of scuffles between these two teams, especially for a first round series. Raymond Felton had a run in with Steven Adams and Mejri had been looking for a fight for a while before getting into it with Westbrook and the rest of the Thunder's bench. Every box out got extra physical and the atmosphere was definitely charged in Game 4. Even Dirk Nowitzki got into a shoving match, and Durant was actually ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul.
Things won’t likely change in Game 5. The Thunder have instigators in Adams and Ibaka and one of the most emotional players in the league in Westbrook. They have the most to lose by getting into an altercation, since they will likely advance, but they might not be able to contain themselves.
So far, things haven’t gotten past fun physical play. Hopefully, that also won’t change going forward.
Watching Dirk Nowitzki play is still a joy
Nowitzki is 37 years old but it’s still possible to build a good offense around him, which is a testament to how talented and unique he is. Nowitzki had 27 points, despite being guarded by a good defender like Ibaka, and always made a timely bucket when Dallas needed it. It was truly a throwback performance.
The Mavericks’ season will likely end Monday, which is a shame. Nowitzki still clearly has plenty left in the tank for a deep run. Hopefully next season he will have better teammates around him and will get to truly put a scare into the best teams in the league with his unguardable one-legged fadeaway.
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