The Thunder absolutely embarrassed the Mavericks in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs first round series
Dallas Mavericks
Oklahoma City ThunderWithout question the Oklahoma City Thunder were going to the be the favorites welcomed the Dallas Mavericks to town to start the 2016 NBA Playoffs with Game 1 of their Western Conference first round series. However, there’s absolutely no way any oddsmakers or anyone of the sort would’ve been able to predict just how heavily favored Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and company should’ve been to finish off the first day of the NBA Playoffs.
Quite frankly, this one didn’t even look fair and didn’t even look like the two teams belonged on the same floor or in the same league. The athleticism of the Thunder was just unmatched by anyone on the Dallas roster. Similarly, OKC looked like a team ready to shift to an extra gear now that it’s time for the NBA Playoffs while the Mavs looked like they had no such gear.
In the end, it was a bloodbath in favor of the Thunder as they almost beat Dallas by 40 points in Game 1 and now look like they could be a contender in the NBA Playoffs if they continue playing at the level they did on Saturday night.
Three Stars
Russell Westbrook, Thunder – 24 points, 11 assists, five rebounds
Kevin Durant, Thunder – 23 points, five rebounds, five assists
Enes Kanter, Thunder – 16 points, 13 rebounds
Highlights
jordanowx: Russ for three ESPN NBA Playoff: Game 1: Mavericks at Thunder https://t.co/8dxcxpvxOd pic.twitter.com/D5vwCw6M7c
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) April 17, 2016
jordanowx: Durant knocks it down ESPN NBA Playoff: Game 1: Mavericks at Thunder https://t.co/xnG2Epi4O4 pic.twitter.com/d0oQxCj6Pa
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) April 17, 2016
jordanowx: IBaka dunk ESPN NBA Playoff: Game 1: Mavericks at Thunder https://t.co/cg8z481YXX pic.twitter.com/cMfsTnOmMp
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) April 17, 2016
KD: 7 points in 5 minutes. Russ 3 assists. Thunder leads Mavs 15-4 midway through Q1. pic.twitter.com/yrN43jZxG6
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 17, 2016
jordanowx: Ibaka for three ESPN NBA Playoff: Game 1: Mavericks at Thunder https://t.co/axKQXxnMc7 pic.twitter.com/FLx5rJstDB
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) April 17, 2016
Thunder holds Mavs to 11 points in first quarter. Leads 26-11. Watch Enes Kanter persevere! pic.twitter.com/s1EH3PPS35
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 17, 2016
jordanowx: Defense.. ESPN NBA Playoff: Game 1: Mavericks at Thunder https://t.co/CEVJ6y1uAD pic.twitter.com/J6l68o2DTl
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) April 17, 2016
It's been all Thunder so far tonight. https://t.co/J4Dy9HP8es
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 17, 2016
Mavericks status update... https://t.co/8kYBOyAhsr
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) April 17, 2016
jordanowx: Foye for three ESPN SportsCenter https://t.co/D7w32oVjC8 pic.twitter.com/fGJElGdlos
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) April 17, 2016
Next Game
Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round series will be in Oklahoma City on Monday night at 8 p.m. ET with the broadcast being on TNT.
For all your NBA Playoffs coverage, stay in tune with the NBA hub page.