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2024.05.10 17:12 GMT+8

NBA: Mavericks top Thunder, Cavaliers blow out Celtics as G2 finish at 1-1

Updated 2024.05.10 17:12 GMT+8
CGTN

Luka Doncic (R) of the Dallas Mavericks defends against Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder during their Game 2 of NBA playoff series, in Oklahoma City, U.S., May 9, 2024. /CFP

Luka Doncic had 29 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to help the Dallas Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-110 on Thursday night.

"I think that was one of the hardest games I've had to play," Doncic said. "I'm battling out there trying to do my best to help the team win."

The Thunder held Doncic to 19 points on 6-for-19 shooting in Game 1. He made 11 of 21 field goals in Game 2. Throughout, he had frequent conversations with the officials – enough to draw the ire of Thunder fans, who booed him and directed chants his way.

"That's great for me," he said. "I love it."

"They have great players," Doncic said. "They have great chemistry, great team. And it's going to be tough. It's going to be a fight till the end. So, just much respect to Oklahoma (City), but it's big time we won this game."

P.J. Washington added 29 points and 11 rebounds and made 7 of 11 3-pointers for the Mavericks. He averaged 12.9 points in the regular season.

"I thought P.J. set the tone," Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. "We played through him a little bit in the post and I think that sparked him. He was big for us tonight."

Donovan Mitchell (#45) of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against the Boston Celtics during their Game 2 of NBA playoff series in Boston, U.S., May 9, 2024. /CFP

Also on Thursday night, Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points to help Cleveland beat Boston 118-94, which also tied the playoff series at 1-1. 

"Sometimes you get lucky," Mitchell said after the game. "Shooters shoot."

"In the second half it was scoring," he said. "Sometimes it's assists. Sometimes it's rebounds. Whatever it takes. And when it was time to go, it's time to go. I knew at some point I was going to have to start, obviously, shooting."

Two nights after losing the opener by 25 points, the Cavaliers answered with a blowout of their own, beating the top-seeded Celtics in Boston to tie their Eastern Conference semifinal series at one game apiece. The teams now head to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday.

"We expected them to play better and they did," Celtics center Al Horford said. "They responded and we didn't."

(With input from AP)

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