OKLAHOMA CITY — Raymond Felton scored 21 points and made the tiebreaking shot with 39 seconds left, lifting the Dallas Mavericks to an 85-84 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday to even the first-round Western Conference playoff series at a game apiece.
Felton shot 8-for-16 from the field to go along with 11 rebounds. Dirk Nowitzki added 17 points for Dallas, while Deron Williams scored 13.
Thunder forward Kevin Durant endured one of the worst shooting nights of his playoff career with a 7-for-33 outing for 21 points. Russell Westbrook posted 19 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.
Game 3 is Thursday in Dallas.
Trailing 69-68, the Thunder went on an 8-0 run spearheaded by a Durant dunk and a 3-pointer from Serge Ibaka. It looked as if the Mavs were finally about to succumb to Oklahoma City’s talent.
However, Dallas responded with a 10-2 run to retake lead at 79-78 with 4:40 left.
After a free throw from Durant, the game was tied. Steven Adams put the Thunder ahead with a put-back off a Westbrook missed layup.
The score was 81-81 with 1:59 left. Westbrook turned the ball over, but Dallas guard Wesley Matthews missed a 3-point attempt.
After another Thunder missed shot, Felton made Oklahoma City pay with a driving layup over Adams.
With 28 seconds left, the Thunder got the ball to Durant. As he made his move toward the basket, the ball flew out of bounds, but it was ruled to have gone off a Mavericks player.
Durant missed a 3-pointer from the corner. Matthews chased down the loose ball and turned it into a fastbreak layup to give Dallas a four-point advantage.
The Thunder came back to Durant, and he finally buried a 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds left.
Felton was fouled and missed both free throws with seven seconds to play. The Thunder took the ball the length of the court and Durant missed a layup. Adams tipped the ball in, but it was a split second after the buzzer.
NOTES: Oklahoma City C Steven Adams could not help but notice how big Dallas C Zaza Pachulia is. “Yeah, he’s a big boy, mate,” Adams said. “Have you seen his head? He’s got a really big head, it’s awesome. They mock me ’cause I’ve got a big head, but wow.” … The injury bug hit Dallas hard between Game 1 and 2. The Mavericks were without G J.J. Barea, who has a pulled right groin. Despite having a sports hernia, G Deron Williams started alongside G Raymond Felton. … Oklahoma City F Mitch McGary has been absent from the team for a week for personal reasons. Coach Billy Donovan said he has been in contact with him through text messages. “I don’t know when he will be back to the team,” Donovan said.