The No. 1-seeded OKC Thunder will host the No. 5 Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The best-of-seven series is tied at 2-2. The Thunder earned a 100-96 road win in Game 4 on Monday.
Here's what you need to know about the matchup:
More:Mussatto: Why OKC Thunder removing Josh Giddey from starting lineup came at odd time
Thunder vs. Mavericks live score updates
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FINAL: Mavericks 104, Thunder 92 | Dallas leads Western Conference semifinal 3-2
Thunder drops Game 5, 104-92, and now faces elimination headed to Dallas in a few days. Unfathomable shooting night — 42.5% FG, 10 for 40 from 3. More of the same with the work load: Shai has 30-6-8, and was basically the only consistent factor for much of the game.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
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50.1 seconds left: Mavericks 101, Thunder 90
A no-call on a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drive leads to a foul on a fastbreak the other way. It's not looking great for OKC.
9:30 left in 4Q: Mavericks 89, Thunder 71 | OKC has no answer of Luka Doncic
A Luka 3 — his fifth — puts the Mavs up 18 with 9:30 to play. He’s had his hands all over this game. The lobs, the tough shots, the reads. Now he’s trying to end this himself.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
End 3Q: Mavericks 79, Thunder 67
Feels like another one of those leads that seems heavier than it reads. OKC and the Mavs have been on opposite sides of the spectrum in efficiency. Would take something to change that from the first three quarters, but OKC is only 8 for 29 from 3.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
6:44 left in 3Q: Mavericks 65, Thunder 51
Dallas’ defense has pushed OKC out to the 3-point line as much as probably any game this series. Thunder’s best looks/advantages have been handed to Dort, who’s 1 for 5 there. OKC 7 for 26 as a team there.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Half: Mavericks 54, Thunder 44 | Luka Doncic, Dallas holding OKC at bay in Game 5
Slight uptick from when Lively was in, but OKC trailing 54-44 at half after some rough shooting. 39.5% FG, 30% from 3. Luka having his way (17-6-7 and endless lobs). DJJ is a perfect 6 for 6. SGA was 3 for 4 in the 2nd. Starting to find himself.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
9:11 left in 2Q: Mavericks 35, Thunder 27
Eight point Mavs lead after that Lively dunk. That was in transition, but the lob has been there Luka and Dallas. Chet having to rotate away from Lively/Gafford too often.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
End first quarter: Mavericks 24, Thunder 22
Dallas ahead 24-22 after 1. OKC shooting 39.1% from the field, 36.4% from deep. 5 for 12 on 2s. Shai still trying to find it. Outside of Derrick Jones Jr., who's 2 for 2 from deep, Mavs are 1 for 7 from 3.
See box score HERE.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
4:26 left 1Q: Mavericks 18, Thunder 15 | Luka Doncic, Dallas handling the noice early
Luka Doncic has eight early points as the Mavericks are looking poised so far inside a very loud Paycom Center.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Mason Ramsey, known for viral yodeling video, sings national anthem before Thunder-Mavericks Game 5
Mason Ramsey, he of a viral yodeling video from yesteryear, overcame some microphone trouble to deliver the national anthem Wednesday night at Paycom Center before Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Thunder and Mavericks.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Josh Giddey not in Thunder starting lineup for Game 5
Isaiah Joe is in the starting lineup in place of Josh Giddey tonight. Giddey has started all 210 of his career games.
Thought Cason Wallace might’ve been the change, mostly for defensive matchups and because of Isaiah Joe’s role in the Shai + reserve lineups to end the first. Still a change.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Jason Kidd 'calm and relaxed' for Thunder-Mavs Game 5
Jason Kidd has seen his fair share of series splits during his time around the NBA.
Over the course of his 17 playoff appearances as a player, the Mavs' head coach, Kidd has encountered seven 2-2 series ties. As a third-year coach, Kidd has already been part of three 2-2 series, and he's about to embark on his fourth this week with the Mavs and Thunder tied ahead of Game 5.
The approach to the series tie in both roles differs for Kidd entering Wednesday.
"Just being calm and relaxed is the game for me," Kidd said. "This is a journey that we met in October or September, and we're one of the few teams that continue playing right now. Enjoy the experience and put your best foot forward, and hopefully, you can find a way to win."
A key point of contingency for Dallas in the series so far has been the slow start of star guard Kyrie Irving.
Irving's dominance was apparent in the Mavs' previous series against the LA Clippers, averaging 30.5 points, 10 assists and five rebounds per game. So far against OKC, he's seen those numbers nearly split in half while putting up 15 points per game on almost seven fewer shot attempts.
Irving's struggles have had a profound impact on Dallas' performance in the series. It's clear that for Dallas to secure a win, they'll need a significant boost from their eight-time All-Star.
"I think Kai is playing the game at a high level on both ends and trying to play the game the right way," Kidd said. "He's been double-teamed at the tilt, so they're trying to take away his penetration. But tonight, we believe that if he gets those looks, he'll be able to knock them down."
—Jordan Davis, Staff writer
More:Mussatto: Why Cason Wallace-Dereck Lively II trade was a win-win for Thunder, Mavericks
Start time for Thunder-Mavericks Game 6 moved up
The Thunder and Mavericks will tip off at 7 p.m. Saturday night in Dallas instead of at 7:30 p.m.
OKC Thunder is ‘focused’ on winning pivotal Game 5
Game 4 on Monday was an emotional roller coaster for the Thunder.
OKC found itself down by as many as 14 points, on the verge of falling behind 3-1 in the series. But it mounted a late rally on the road to escape with a 100-96 win on the road.
So, what have the past 48 hours or so been like for OKC as it tries to reset?
“Nothing new,” head coach Mark Daigneault said. “Just kind of our normal temperament. They’re focused. … We went back to the drawing board after Game 4, and hopefully we’re in a position to continue to improve and play better.”
Historically, Game 5 of a playoff series has major implications.
The winner of Game 5 when a series is tied 2-2 has gone on to win the series 82% of the time.
—Justin Martinez, Staff writer
Thunder vs. Mavericks highlights
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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA playoffs Game 5 predictions
Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman
Despite being the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history, OKC showed poise when it was on the ropes in Game 4.
The Thunder overcame a 14-point deficit on the road to tie the series at 2-2, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to look unguardable. He scored a game-high 34 points.
OKC now has momentum as it returns home, and it'll do just enough to come out on top in Game 5.
Prediction: Thunder 107, Mavericks 105
More:Mussatto: Why Cason Wallace-Dereck Lively II trade was a win-win for Thunder, Mavericks
Game 5: How to watch OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks
- Date: Wednesday, May 15
- Time: 8:30 p.m. CT
- TV: TNT
- Live Stream: Sling (watch for free)
More:How OKC Thunder is aiming to overcome slow starts against Mavericks in Game 5
Injury report for OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks
OKC Thunder injury report
None
Dallas Mavericks injury report
Maxi Kleber (right shoulder sprain) is out. Olivier Maxence-Prosper (left ankle sprain) is out. Luka Doncic (right ankle sprain, left ankle soreness) is probable.
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Projected OKC Thunder starting lineup
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG)
- Josh Giddey (12.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.8 APG)
- Lu Dort (10.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG)
- Jalen Williams (19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG)
- Chet Holmgren (16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 APG)
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Projected Dallas Mavericks starting lineup
- Luka Doncic (33.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.8 APG)
- Kyrie Irving (25.6 PPG, 5 RPG, 5.2 APG)
- Derrick Jones Jr. (8.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1 APG)
- P.J. Washington (11.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.5 APG)
- Daniel Gafford (11.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 APG)
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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks playoff series schedule
- Game 1:OKC 117, Dallas 95
- Game 2:Dallas 119, OKC 110
- Game 3:Dallas 105, OKC 101
- Game 4:OKC 100, Dallas 96
- Game 5:8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, in OKC (TNT)
- Game 6:7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Dallas (ESPN)
- Game 7 (if necessary):7:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, in OKC (TNT)
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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks regular-season series record
OKC won the regular-season series, 3-1.
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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA playoffs Game 4 betting odds
Odds courtesy ofBetMGMas of Wednesday, May 15
- Spread: OKC (-4.5)
- Over/under: 213.5
- Moneyline: OKC -175 | Dallas +145
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2024 NBA playoffs
First-round picks:Celtics vs Heat|Knicks vs 76ers|Bucks vs Pacers|Cavaliers vs Magic|Thunder vs Pelicans|Nuggets vs Lakers|Timberwolves vs Suns|Clippers vs Mavericks
Second-round picks:Thunder vs Mavericks|Nuggets vs Timberwolves|Celtics vs Cavaliers|Knicks vs Pacers
More:2024 NBA playoffs: Complete schedule, bracket breakdown, how to watch
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