PJ Williamson Leads Dallas Over OKC, 105-101; Boston Tops Cleveland Anew, Moves Ahead 2-1
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 12 May 2024
PJ Williamson and Shai Gilgeous Alexander played together for one year for the Kentucky Wildcats in the USNCAA but they are the main players for different teams in the NBA.
Though Williamson could never top Alexander in scoring, he did enough damage in helping the Dallas Mavericks beat the OKC Thunder, 105-101 for a 2-1 lead in their Western semifinals series.
Williamson scored a team-high 27 points to backstop Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in bouncing back from the Mavs second game loss to OKC where PJ was also his team's top scorer with 29.
While Alexander was mesmerizing with his slashing drives and long toms, Williamson was almost unstoppable with his dunks, follow up tip ins and occasional three pointers. He scored 19 points in the first half which allowed Dallas to keep up with the Thunder and even lead from time to time.
And though he did no longer figure as prominently in the second half, he had done his damage on the Thunder from which Doncic and Irving could build on as the two took over and combined to propel the Mavs to victory in their home floor.
Williamson's inspired play could have also rubbed on reserves Derrick Lively II and Tim Hardaway Jr who likewise contributed to the hard earned win.
Williamson finished with 27 points while Doncic and Irving tallied 22 points each. Doncic also pulled down 15 rebounds and issued 8 assists. The 7 footer Lively had 12 points while Hardaway and regular center Daniel Galford tossed 8 points each.
For OKC, Alexander topped with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Partner Chet Holmgren had 16 points while Jalen Williams and reserve Isaiah Joe had 13 points each for the losing effort.
In the other scheduled game, Boston Celtics moved ahead of their semis series with the Cleveland Cavaliers, 2-1 with another win, 106-93.
The dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown found an unlikely third wheel in defensive guard Jrue Holiday who essayed his old role with his former team Milwaukee Bucks as Derrick White continued to struggle on offense.
Tatum finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Brown had 28 points and 9 rebounds. Holiday added 18 points in the win on the road. White managed 10 points.
Donovan Mitchell again led the Cavs with 33 points supported by Eric Mobley with 17 points while Caris LeVert and Darius Garland chipped in 13 points each.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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