In what has been one of the most entertaining series' in this NBA playoff run, last night proved to be more of the same for the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavericks, up 2-1 over the Thunder heading into game four really had their sites set on stealing another game in OKC before traveling back to Dallas in a potential series clinching game. It was the Thunder's ambition to knot the series at two before heading down south to the Big D. For three and a half quarters it looked as if they would get what they was looking for.
Up by fifteen points with just around five minutes to go in the fourth quarter, NBA scoring champ Kevin Durant already had 29 points and a firm grip on the game. After a couple controversial performances from All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook during the first three games, game four set the stage to be his best overall game yet. Having been just two assists away from matching the assists total he had through the first three games, game four Russell Westbrook was getting his teammates involved and setting a pace in which the Mavericks could not match. Even young high flyer Serge Ibaka was getting into the act scoring 19 points, his biggest point total of the series.
BUT, thats when it happened. In a game in which looked like the Thunder was going to cruise to victory and send the series back to Dallas tied, Dirk Nowitzki started going to work. Tough fall away after tough fader Dirk was putting on a clinic. Despite stifling D by Thunder forward Nick Collinson, Dirk netted tough shot after tough shot, scoring 12 of the 17 points the Mavs needed to tie the game and send it into overtime. After already scoring 48 in game one, Nowitzki silenced the OKC crowd with clutch shot after clutch shot on the way to scoring 40 and a surprise victory. To put it simply, Dirk Nowitzki is assembling one of the greatest series performances in recent history.
Even after imploding and watching their 15 point lead dwindle into a tie game, OKC still had a shot to win it in regulation. With six seconds left they placed the game in the hands of arguably the best scorer in the NBA, young Thunder star Kevin Durant. After a couple of dribbles on the wing Durant pulled up from deep to try and salvage the series for the Thunder only to have his shot tipped by veteran Mavs wing Shawn Marion. In fact, after the hot 29 point start for Durant, he missed his last six shots, all occurring in the last five mins of the fourth with the Mavericks surging. After going quiet during the Mavericks charge, Durant also lost the ball a couple of times leading to pivotal Dallas late game possessions. Post game Durant stated he felt that "he had let the city down", and in regards to the possession at the end of regulation stated he "did not know what else to do."
Once the game tipped to start the overtime period, the Thunder's hopes of making a NBA finals this year seemingly went with it. After dominating for 44 minutes, it was the last five that done them in. Distraught over blowing a fifteen point lead and a shot to tie the series at two games a piece, OKC never stood a chance in overtime. Dallas continued their run and closed the game out easily for a 112-105 victory.
After Durant slumped in the locker room after the game, devastated by thoughts of what went wrong it can be easy to sit here and talk about all of the negative surrounding the OKC team right now. Instead, I must focus my attention on one time Kentucky recruit Dirk Nowitzki. The German Assassin once again did it in the clutch. Tough shot after tough shot Dirk was throwing daggers down the throats of the Oklahoma City crowd. Instead of worrying about who's going to come out of the West its starting to shape up to be more about who, if anybody, can stop Dirk Nowitzki. A star in the league since coming from Germany (set to play college ball at Kentucky had he not entered the draft) Nowitzki has had his share of memorable and forgettable moments. A former MVP, Dirk realizes now more than ever is the time to win. Interestingly enough Nowitzki's lone Finals appearance was against Dewayne Wade and the Miami Heat in 2006. A series I'm sure he is ready to forget. But, after a career of scrutiny for not winning a ring its starting to look like Dirk is finally about to get one more shot. Surrounded by veterans Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Jason Terry, and Tyson Chandler the Mavericks are ready to make the reality of the 2006 finals something of the past and usher in a new future in Dallas. It's been a long wait for Mavs owner Mark Cuban and lone hold overs from the 2006 team Nowitzki and Terry, but now the organization is just one win away from trying to do something they couldn't do in 06', and thats win it all. Ironically they may just have to go through the Heat again in order to do so. If Dirk's post season play is any indication, its looking like they are more than ready to be up for the task.
And just in case you missed Dirk's late game heroics......
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