Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 points and Thunder in Oklahoma defeat Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Jalen Williams scored 18 points and Isaiah Hartenstein added 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder, who will face Wednesday’s winner of Golden State-Houston on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Oklahoma City’s largest lead was 20 points in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference semifinal series, which Dallas won 4-2.
The Thunder and their collection of elite perimeter defenders held Luka Doncic up to 16 points with the effectiveness of 5 out of 15 shots. Lu Dort led the effort, with Alex Caruso AND Cason Wallace among the main helpers.
Nazi Marshal AND Klay Thompson each scored 19 points and Kyrie Irving added 17 for the Mavericks.
PJ Washington, a thorn in Oklahoma City’s side during the playoffs last season and during Dallas’ victory last month, missed the game due to illness.
Oklahoma City led 57-54 at halftime, trailing Gilgeous-Alexander by 18 points. Doncic had two points at halftime, shooting 1 of 7.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 points on 7 of 8 shots in the third quarter to help the Thunder take control. Isaiah Joe Deep three-pointers gave Oklahoma City a 90-73 lead heading into the fourth.
To go
Mavericks: Dallas made too many mistakes to have a chance. The Thunder scored 36 points to 19 Mavericks turnovers.
Thunder: Oklahoma City brought in the 7-foot-2, 255-pound Hartenstein as a free agent in the offseason to give him bulk and rebounding. It paid off – Thunder beat Mavericks 52:44.
A key moment
Oklahoma City started the second half with a 13-2 run. Gilgeous-Alexander scored nine points in that stretch to help the Thunder take a 70-56 lead.
Key statistics
The Mavericks made just 6 of 19 field goals in the third quarter after shooting 50% from the field in the first half.
Next
Mavericks: Host Los Angeles Clippers on December 19.
Thunder: On Saturday in Las Vegas, he will play against Golden State or Houston in the NBA Cup semifinals.
Associated Press reports.
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