Buzzer-Beater Lifts Oklahoma City Over Dallas In Opener

Kevin Durant converted on a last-second shot attempt to top the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs.

Sunday, April 29th 2012, 12:48 am

By: News 9


Despite struggling from the floor all night, Kevin Durant hit a floater with seconds left to play to top the Dallas Mavericks 99-98 in Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs Saturday.

Trailing 97-96 with just nine second left to play, Dirk Nowitzki was fouled by James Harden on a rebound, sending the Mavs star to the line. Nowitzki hit both free throws to take a one-point lead, leaving the Thunder with little time to respond.

Even though the reigning scoring champ was just 9-of-27 from the floor heading into the shot, the ball was still in Durant's hands. Durant pulled up and let go a floater, catching a friendly bounce and going in with just 1.5 left on the clock.

Dallas' Shawn Marion took the inbound pass and attempted to get off a shot, but time expired before the ball left his hand, clinching the win for Oklahoma City.

Durant finished the game with 25 points, while grabbing six boards, dishing out four assists and even blocking four shots in the win, however Russell Westbrook was a big reason for the Thunder's success. The point guard shot 13-of-23 from the floor for 28 points, dishing out five assists and three steals in the win.

Serge Ibaka was also big for OKC, missing just three shots on his way to a 22-point game, while Harden scored 19 points in 34 minutes.

Nowitzki set the pace for Dallas in the loss, scoring 25 points, while Shawn Marion chipped in 17 and grabbed eight boards. Jason Terry was nearly lights-out as well, hitting eight of his 10 shots – including hitting 4-of-5 from behind the arc – scoring 20.

Oklahoma City trailed by just two with five minutes left to play, but Nowitzki took over the game for the Mavericks and expanded the lead. The former MVP scored nine straight for the Mavericks, while Oklahoma City managed just three – a free throw from Ibaka and a Westbrook layup – to take a 94-87 lead with three minutes on the clock.

However, the Thunder snapped off a quick seven points, capped by a big dunk from Durant to set up the last-second fireworks.

Oklahoma City will try to make it back-to-back wins over Dallas to start the playoffs in another late tip, at 8:30 p.m. Monday.

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