NBA Playoffs 2011: Oklahoma Citys Kevin Durant and Eric Maynor Propel Thunder

The Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder met for the second game in this seven-game series on Thursday night, May 19, 2011.

A point made by the analysts and play-by-play announcers was that Dirk Nowitzki needed to be tempered from the previous night’s 48 points.

 It was the impetus of Scotty Brooks to formulate a new plan to keep the ball out of Dirk’s hands. Turns out, Nowitzki took on a lion’s share of defenders through double teams in the first half.

Play-by-play announcer and former coach of the New York Knicks, Jeff Van Gundy, went on to mention that the Thunder may have needed to keep Nowitzki off the foul line by halting his ability to draw fouls

Coach Van Gundy also stated that Dirk needed to be fronted every time he had the ball.

Former Knick/Pacers great, Mark Jackson, made a projection about how Russell Westbrook would be a factor in the game as well.

 It’s worth a note to mention that both the head coach Scotty Brooks and assistant coach Maurice Cheeks both played for the 76ers in the past. We think this connection of two minds serves the Thunder well.

At the beginning of the first quarter, Jason Kidd hit his first three-pointer of the game. In the beginning stages, both teams were making the extra pass.

Around 8:30 remaining in the first quarter, Dirk Nowitzki scored his first field goal from the left side of the floor. Later in the quarter, he drove left baseline and dunked the ball with two hands.

Enough was enough as Scotty Brooks called his first timeout at 6:00 left in the first quarter. That move may have been one of the keys to the Thunder's first win in the series.

With the score 17-11, Dallas got two back-to-back alley-oops from Jason Kidd to geting his team on a roll. With the score now 21-11 in favor of Dallas, Brooks called his second timeout. Time Management, anyone?

Getting to the line is an important factor in this series, as Jason Terry knocked down two baskets. With 3:32 left in first quarter, and the score 23-17 Dallas, another timeout was called by Scotty Brooks.

Peja Stojakovic got in the ballgame early and made a difference, coming off the bench. His first shot was a long range jumper.

Southpaw Eric Maynor, for the OKC Thunder, backed up Russell Westbrook. He made a significant impact on the game.

From double-clutch layups to shooting in and around the perimeter, Maynor was stellar on the night and could have been the one factor that put his team in the winner’s column.

Kevin Durant, who may remind us a bit like Clyde Drexler—albeit Durant is 6’10” next to Drexler’s 6’6” frame—is remarkably agile for a power forward.

Durant scored 14 points out of a total of 24 during the first quarter. J.J. Barea also came in and knocked down a jumper off the bench.

In the second quarter, the Thunder were getting to the foul line more often. Jason Terry was 2-for-2 from the foul line and dropped a few layups to boot. Terry had eight points in the quarter.

The Thunder's Nick Collison was especially chippy and physical this night. Collison was one of two guys double-teaming Nowitzki.

Now, we first begin see a lead held by the Thunder 48-43. Another timeout was called by Brooks after the last Mavs basket, with 5:35 remaining in the first half.

At this point in the game, Nowitzki had only nine points. The Mavs also got scored upon during the transition between points and on the fast break.

 Rick Carlisle took a 20-second timeout with 3:50 remaining in the second quarter.

Coach/play-by-play announcer Jeff Van Gundy says, “If you are helpful and not selfish, it inspires others to do the same.” The Thunder had a two-point lead going into the half.

In the second half, one might notice some adjustments for Nowitzki to start receiving the ball. He managed to get a few baskets during the first three minutes of the half.

Also in the second half, the Thunder started picking up the double team against Durant. With the score 71-66, Oklahoma City led with 3:17 left in the third quarter.

Shawn Marion also had an impact in the third quarter for the Mavericks. Jason Kidd too was also effective in the transition game.

James Harden, for the Thunder, had a chance for a four-point play by getting fouled on a three-pointer. Harden converted on the foul shot as the third quarter came to a close. The score at the end of the third quarter was 77-76 Mavs.

Coach Rick Carlisle mentioned, “We have a better energy, we have to keep on hanging in there.”

 From the Thunder end, we see Nick Collison making his presence felt again.

 J.J. Barea also knocked down a set shot, a three-pointer off the pick and roll. Barea went on to shoot a jumper from three-point land as well.

Nowitzki had 17 points with 8:46 remaining in the fourth quarter. Dirk started to play up again as he lit up the boards in the fourth quarter. We saw Harden on a fast-break transition and lay it up off the left side of the lane.

Harden, with 21 points, let us know his No. 13 is lucky by knocking down shot after shot. Collison had four points in the quarter and Nowitzki scored 29 points for the game.

 With 47 seconds left in the game, the Thunder had a 104-98 advantage. So, the Thunder tie the series at 1-1. Durant mentioned after the game, “[The reserves] have been playing very hard