The Dallas Mavericks let Game 4 slip away. Now, the Oklahoma City Thunder are back home with the series tied 2-2, primed to take the lead.

Catch this game live on Wednesday, May 16th, at 9:30 AM, Manila time

AWAY: Dallas Mavericks (2-2)

Projected Starting Five:

• Luka Doncic
• Kyrie Irving
• Derrick Jones Jr.
• P.J. Washington
• Daniel Gafford

The Mavericks led by as much as 14 in Game 4, and still had an eight-point lead early in the fourth quarter. They had too many mistakes and failed conversions, though, and arguably deserved to lose. For one, they were just 10-of-21 from the charity stripe, with five of those misses coming in the fourth. Note that G4’s final score was 100-96.

The two superstars–Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving–each had an off-night and it wasted a good performance from PJ Washington, who had 21 points and 10 rebounds. Irving was 4-of-11 for nine quiet points, while Doncic was a horrid 6-of-20 for 18 points – he also had seven turnovers and missed a key FT with 10 second remaining, overshadowing his 12 boards and 10 assists that notched a triple-double. 

Dallas has already won in OKC, so a semblance of confidence–at the very least–should still be there. Doncic and Irving undoubtedly need to produce a heck of a redemption game tomorrow, though. 

HOME: Oklahoma City Thunder (2-2)

Projected Starting Five:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Josh Giddey
• Luguentz Dort
• Jalen Williams
• Chet Holmgren

The young Thunder are sure to be riding high from the gutsy, Game 4 win. They took the Mavs’ shots, regrouped, and stole the momentum back. They are very much primed to take a series lead tomorrow.

The team’s All-Star and ever-improving leader, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is averaging an all-around 31.8 / 9.8 / 7.3 / 1.3 / 2.8 in the series. Look for him to keep doing his thing on the Mavs’ defense, especially now that his confidence has skyrocketed. The two usual guys, Jalen Williams and rookie Chet Holmgren, provided the main help. Though the former shot 5-of-19 in the game, he was clutch enough as three of his field goals came in the final frame. The latter, meanwhile, is developing right before our eyes, as he punched in 18 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. Defensive specialist Lu Dort picked up the slack from Williams’s off shooting too, as he had 17 points, which is a solid bonus from his defense on Doncic.

Still, it shouldn’t be lost that the losses in Games 2 and 3 showcased their mishaps and playoff inexperience. We’ll see if they’ve learned from those mistakes.

PICKS:

Spread: Mavericks (-4)

Over/Under: Over (212.5)