Mavericks 85 Thunder 84: WCQF Game 2 Recap

The Lead
The Masking Tape Mavs bounce back from a Game 1 beatdown in a big way with a thrilling victory to even the series.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Felton, 21
Rebounds: Felton, 11
Assists: Williams, 5
+-: Harris, Mejri, +18
Thunder
Points: Durant, 21
Rebounds: Westbrook, 14
Assists: Westbrook, 6
+-: Ibaka, Westbrook, +4

Game Ball
Raymond Felton
21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 8-16 FG

X-Factor
Deron Williams
13 points, 5 assists, 5-9 FG, 3-5 3PT

Play of the Game
With the Mavs holding a two point lead late in the fourth quarter, Wesley Matthews chased down a loose ball after a Kevin Durant missed shot and then raced for a contested layup to put Dallas up 4 with 14.4 seconds left.
Link

Stat of the Game
The Mavericks are now 6-1 this season in games following a loss by 20 points or more.

Of Note

• The game ended with a wild finish as the Thunder raced down court after a Felton missed free throw, trailing by one. First, Durant's shot from in close was blocked by Justin Anderson. Next Russell Westbrook missed a putback attempt. Steven Adams followed with a made putback that came right after the buzzer as the Mavs held on to win.
• Deron Williams was listed as doubtful prior to the game with a sports hernia. He however played through the pain and scored 13 points, 11 coming in the first quarter. He did not play in the last quarter and a half.
• The Mavs held Durant to an abysmal shooting night as the Thunder superstar went 7-33 from the field. Westbrook struggled as well, shooting 8-22.
• This was only the Mavs second road playoff win since winning the 2011 championship. They won Game 2 of the first round in San Antonio two years ago.
• The Mavericks' two rookies both came up big. Anderson had 6 points, 5 rebounds and that monster block of Durant. Salah Mejri chipped in with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 blocks.
• The Mavs top two rebounders were both guards. Felton had 11 boards while Devin Harris had 7 rebounds.
• According to ESPN the Mavs, who were 14 point underdogs, are the biggest underdogs to win a playoff game in the last 20 years.

Quote of Note
"We let 'em know we're here to fight. They're obviously the heavy favorite, but we let 'em know it's not going to be an easy walkover."
Dirk

Tweet of the Night

pic.twitter.com/4nsrl4Ym4G

— PÎÊRRĘ (@JaValeMcGee34) April 19, 2016

Next Up
The series shifts South as the Mavs and Thunder will face of in Game 3 at the AAC, Thursday at 6:00.