Mavericks weather late Thunder rally.

After a hard fought win in Game 2, the Thunder were slow to get off the blocks in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, managing only 12 points in the first quarter.  By the time they had found some form of stability, Dallas had their lead padded up to 23 points.

Despite an "off-night" Durant still managed 24 pts

True to character, the Thunder rolled up their sleeves and went to work, outscoring Dallas 75-68 in the remainder of the game.  It may have been too little too late, but it was still a positive sign for the both the team and the fans, that you can never really count this group out.

Dallas was able to overcome a slow start from Dirk Nowitzki, with fellow starters Shawn Marion, DeShawn Stevenson, Tyson Chandler and Jason Kidd all chipping in on offense.  Their execution on defense was also key; taking Durant out of the game early, leaving his teammates to do the heavy lifting.

Durant somehow managed to score 24 points, and Russell Westbrook led all scorers with 30 points.  After riding the bench for the entire 4th quarter in the previous game, Westbrook was the spark behind the Thunder's late rally, playing the only way he knows how; "full-tilt/ 0-100 in-the-blink-of-an-eye".  He continually attacked the basket, bringing the kind of aggression that had eluded the Thunder all game long.

Terry 13 pts & a late steal helped clinch the game.

They managed to cut the deficit to 8 points with just under 7 minutes left, but their poor shooting from beyond the arc (they shot 1-17) proved a hurdle too high to overcome.  Even when the game was within reach, they opted to attempt 3-pointers rather than continue to attack the basket; the approach that helped get them back in the game.

Another difference between these two teams was that Dallas kept going back to Nowitzki in crunch time, while OKC seemed to go away from Durant.  The Mavericks' persistence paid off, with Nowitzki making key jumpers down stretch helping buffer the lead.  Durant hardly touched the ball, save for a few throws and a basket.

In my opinion, I see Jason Terry as Dallas' unsung hero in their two wins so far.  After going crazy from the 3-point in a series clinching win that saw Dallas wreck Los Angeles, Terry continued from where he left off, sinking a dagger 3-pointer that all but ended OKC's spirited comeback in Game 1.  After going AWOL in Game 2, Terry was back to making plays; none bigger than a late steal off Westbrook that saw Dallas run out the clock.  There is no doubt that his involvement has and will be the key to success for the Mavericks.

In my previous article regarding this series, I stated that the less shots Nowitzki takes, the better for OKC.  Even though I was kind of wrong in Game 3, I still think that the Thunder should take the same approach on defense.  A much better start to the game won't hurt either.