UNSTOPPABLE AS A WOMAN'S TEARS
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 19 May 2011
DIRK Nowitzki is on fire.
But don't worry, the 9-time All-Star from Wurzburg, Germany is in no peril. He merely lit up for 48 points to lead the Mavericks past the Oklahoma City Thunder, 121-112, in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals Tuesday night in Dallas.
It wasn't like the Thunder didn't try to stop Nowitzki, they just couldn't. Not on this night anyway, when the 32-year old power forward dished one of the most spectacular performances in the history of the NBA playoffs.
Nowitzki used the length of his 7-feet against big defenders, often fading away beyond reach and swishing one high-arching jumpshot after another. And he used the might of his 245 pounds to overpower smaller defenders
Unbelievably effecient, Nowitzki needed only 15 field goals, 12 of which he sank, to pile 48 points. And he made all of his 24 free throws, an NBA playoffs high that eclipsed the previous record of 21 free throws without a miss set by Boston's Paul Pierce in April 2003. .
The closest thing that Oklahama did to slow Dirk was foul him. Sixteen times.
"I was really looking to shoot early and was able to get my rhythm after the first couple of shots," said Nowitzki, who also finished with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 shotblocks.
No, this wasn't a homerun for the Mavericks, who shot 53.4 percent from the field (39-of-73) and 39.1 percent from 3-point range (9-of-23). Oklahoma led 27-20 after one quarter and came back from 16 points down in the fourth period to come to within 106-105 with 3:25 left to play.
But Dallas put them away for good with big plays in end game, capped by a corner 3 courtesy of Jason Terry.
Riding on the momentum of their Game 7 triumph over Memphis in the West semis, the Thunder played relatively well on the road. They hit 34 of 72 field goals, 7 of 16 triples and 37 of 43 free throws. They just didn't have an answer for Nowitzki.
KEVIN DURANT was spectacular. He drilled 10-of-18 field goals and 18-of-19 free throws. He also made 2-of-5 treys, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished 5 assists.
Durant finished with 40, while the Thunder scored 64 in the second half. And they still lost. And that's gotta be deflating.
"We can't get discouraged," offered Durant.
Easy to say. So hard to do.
Because the Mavs are more than just Dirk. They're a team loaded with scorers, as proven in Game 1 when 10 players who saw action all contributed on the offensive end, not to mention providing fresh legs on defense.
JJ Barea was a puzzle on legs, impossible to figure out. The 5-foot-10 dynamo picked-and-rolled the Thunder to death and scored 21 points in 16 minutes. Jason Terry added 24 while Shawn Marion chipped in 11.
Durant, in contrast, had so little help.
His runningmate, Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook, chalked 20 points. But Westbrook failed miserably in facilitating his team's offense, belting out just 3 assists against 4 turnovers. He also missed 12 of 15 shots.
Game 2 of this best-of-7 Western Conference finals stays at the American Airlines Center in Dallas Thursday night.
Somehow, the Thunder must find a way to stop Nowitzki and the streaking Mavs. Otherwise, this could be a short series. (Homer D. Sayson)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026