Game Recap: OKC 120, DAL 114 (OT)
By Paris Lawson | Broadcast and Digital Reporter | okcthunder.com
Highlights: OKC 120, DAL 114 (OT)
THE BIG PICTURE
For the second time in three games, the Thunder found itself in a competitive overtime battle. Unlike its previous 53-minute contest, OKC came out on top 120-114. Thunder wing Lu Dort exploded for 14 points in overtime as he finished with a team-high 30 points and Thunder rookie Tre Mann poured in a career-high 29 of his own.
MOMENTS FROM THE 48
Bonus Basketball
The Thunder and the Mavericks were tied 103-103 at the end of regulation following 15 lead changes and eight ties. Neither team had led by more than 12 points as the two squads exchanged punches throughout the night.
That all changed in the fourth quarter as third year guard Lu Dort erupted offensively. The Montreal native was responsible for 14 of the Thunder’s 17 overtime points behind a perfect 6-for-6 performance from the free throw line and a 3-for-4 performance from the field. The 14 points ties for the most in an overtime period by a Thunder player in OKC history.
“He's got to continue to improve on the offensive end, but the one thing he has is a mentality of aggression and a mentality of fearlessness,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. “That's why we're willing to be a little more patient because you don't want to take that away. And obviously that's shown up tonight in over time because in the biggest part of the game, he had his foot on the gas and really closed it for us.”
Counting by 3s
During the month of January, Dallas boasted the best 3-point defense of any team in the league by holding its opponents to just 29-percent shooting for the month. The Mavs' first game of February was a vastly different story.
OKC bursted out of the gates on a tear offensively generating a hefty portion of its offense from behind the 3-point line. In the first quarter, OKC poured in 6-of-10 triples but went cold in the second quarter going 0-for-5 from deep. That all changed in the third quarter where the Thunder poured in 7-for-11 from deep which helped to fuel a run to give the Thunder its first double-digit lead of the ball game. For the night, OKC shot 17-of-37 from behind the arc – a 46-percent clip.
“We moved the ball,” said Thunder rookie Josh Giddey who finished the night with a 14-point, 10-assist double-double. “I think just reading what the defense was doing tonight, they were pretty heavy in loads so we had a lot of open 3s and we made a lot of them tonight.”
Second Chances
In addition to the 3-point shooting, OKC generated an extra 22 points off offensive rebounds. Overall, the Thunder outrebounded Dallas 50 to 39. The second bites at the apple began early for the Thunder who started 10-day signee Mamadi Diakite at the center position. On the very opening possession of the ball game, Diakite generated a second chance and finished the game with four offensive boards.
Mann, What a Night
Thunder rookie Josh Giddey whipped a cross court pass to the corner where fellow rookie Tre Mann awaited with his hands ready for the ball. On his catch, Mann sank the triple that gave the Thunder a lead, forced a Dallas timeout and marked a new career high 23 points in 22 minutes of action.
The former Florida Gator wasn’t done there. By the end of the match, Mann had registered 29 points and cashed in six 3-pointers making him just the fifth rookie in OKC history with six or more 3-pointers in a game. It was one heck of an early birthday present for Mann who turns 21-years-old on Thursday.
“He was outstanding. Way more decisive and aggressive,” said Daigneault. “He just had a mentality where he was going to rip open shots and be decisive in his actions.”
“Coach Mark talked to me before the game he said, make them make them pay for your offense,” Mann explained. “I just came out really aggressive. I attacked off of the catch early, saw some go in. That's what I was thinking the whole game, stay aggressive.”
Gidding Accolates
Prior to the game on Wednesday, the NBA announced that Thunder rookie Josh Giddey was once again named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for his performances through the month of January. During that span, Giddey recorded season high monthly averages of 13.3 points and 8.6 rebounds while dishing out 6.1 assists per night.
The recognition marks Giddey’s third consecutive Rookie of the Month honor and comes on the heels of the Australia native being named to the NBA’s Rising Stars Game during All Star Weekend.
On Wednesday, Giddey recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds, his third consecutive double-double and 12th of the season.
THE LAST WORD
WHAT'S NEXT
The Thunder continues its three-game road trip in the Pacific Northwest to take on the Portland Trailblazers of Friday. The game marks the second meeting in a matter of four days between the two teams. The Thunder will then close out its road trip on the second night of a back-to-back in Sacramento.