Dennis Smith Jr. buries late go-ahead bucket as Mavs edge Thunder in a thriller

Benyam Kidane

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Dennis Smith Jr. buries late go-ahead bucket as Mavs edge Thunder in a thriller image

Just two days after failing to get a potential game-tying shot off against the New Orleans Pelicans, Dennis Smith Jr. delivered in the clutch for the Dallas Mavericks in their 105-103 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With 24.8 seconds remaining, Smith Jr. blew past Dennis Schroeder and Russell Westbrook to hit the go-ahead layup to give the Mavs a one-point lead.


Paul George, who scored the Thunder's final 13 points missed a pull-up jumper over Smith with two seconds left, leaving DeAndre Jordan to ice the game at the free throw line. He made one of two to make it 105-103 and that's how it finished. 

OKC had a chance to win it, with Westbrook's three-pointer at the buzzer missing, giving the Mavs the W. Westbrook struggled shooting the ball all night, going 4-of-22 for his nine points on the night, adding nine rebounds and eight assists.

George was the star for the Thunder, tallying 36 points to go with five rebounds and two steals, shooting 12-of-24 from the field but just 3-of-11 from three. OKC shot just 9-of-38 from downtown on the night.


 

Rookie Luka Doncic led the way for Dallas with 25 points and seven assists, while DeAndre Jordan posted 12 points and 17 rebounds, including this thunderous jam to give the Mavs a 101-99 lead.


Dallas trailed 59-57 at the half, but took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Thunder by 10 i the period, holding OKC to just 14 points. 

George took over the fourth quarter, hitting big shot after big shot to drag the Thunder back into the contest, but the Mavs held strong down the stretch to move to 17-18 on the season.

 

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.