By Josh Cohen
July 2, 2016
ORLANDO – As the old adage goes, it’s not how you start it’s how you finish.
Cameron Payne missed his first three 3-pointers before calmly drilling a game-winning trey with 3.6 seconds remaining to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to an 86-85 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the opener of the 2016 Southwest Airlines Orlando Pro Summer League.
Payne finished with 16 points, including scoring OKC’s final six points, and he added seven rebounds and four assists. Learning from Russell Westbrook in his rookie year and adding some much needed weight has given the Memphis, Tennessee native more confidence.
“Choose when and when not to do things, how to manage the game, read the shot clock and game clock,” Payne said about what he picked up from Westbrook during his first season in the NBA.
“I lift a lot more weights now. It’s all with my eating habits,” he added about his offseason training.
Payne has also gotten some helpful advice from new teammate Victor Oladipo, who the Thunder acquired from the Orlando Magic on draft night as part of the Serge Ibaka trade.
“I’m glad I hit the shot for him,” Payne said with a chuckle. “He’s definitely a cool guy.”
Perhaps most important for Payne was that he took care of the ball and didn't force unnecessary passes. He committed just one turnover.
OKC also got solid contributions from Mitch McGary (13 points), Semaj Christon (11 points) and Dakari Johnson (nine rebounds).
“Little winded, trying to get the rust off,” said McGary, who split time last season with the Thunder and their D-League affiliate. “Team did a great job, down the stretch we executed plays.”
Andre Dawkins led the Mavs with 16 points. He shot 5-of-8 from the field and tied the game twice with a pair of field goals late in the fourth quarter. Vander Blue posted 14 points, but he couldn’t connect on his potential game-winning jumper right before the final buzzer.
The Thunder return to action on Sunday when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers at 5 p.m. ET, while the Mavs get some rest before playing the Orlando Magic (White) on Monday at 1 p.m.