Mavericks vs. Thunder: Game 5 Score and Twitter Reaction from 2016 NBA Playoffs

Fans have been looking forward to a second-round showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs since the NBA made its postseason bracket official, but the former had to eliminate the Dallas Mavericks first.

That’s what happened Monday, as the Thunder beat the Mavericks in Game 5, 118-104, to win the first-round battle in five games, 4-1:

On to the next round! Thunder defeat the Mavericks 118-104 to advance https://t.co/7rfTzeiQQi

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 26, 2016

Russell Westbrook was fantastic with 36 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists as the catalyst for the Thunder offense. Kevin Durant was also a force with 33 points and seven rebounds, while Steven Adams added a double-double with 15 points and 10 boards.

The short-handed Mavericks had to play without Salah Mejri (hip) and Deron Williams (abdominal) because of injuries, but they remained close for much of the game thanks to 24 points from Dirk Nowitzki and 12 points and nine assists from Zaza Pachulia.

The Thunder jumped out to a quick 19-10 lead in the first quarter behind nine points from Westbrook and some impressive work in the paint by Adams.

“No shock. Mavericks [are] fighting, but this game [is] getting away from them,” Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News noted. “Westbrook, who Mark Cuban said before the game isn’t a superstar, has nine.”

NBA on TNT shared Adams’ slam:

Adams with the SLAM! ???? https://t.co/pqd3V89KBR

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 26, 2016

Westbrook continued to make superstar plays as the Thunder built on their early lead:

Russ ???? https://t.co/hwGJtfXPy7

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 26, 2016

The Thunder continued their dominance, extending their advantage to 35-24 by the end of the first quarter. There was a silver lining for Dallas, as Nowitzki moved into 14th place on the all-time postseason scoring list, passing Scottie Pippen in the process, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Even with Nowitzki’s achievement, Townsend highlighted the fact it was business as usual in the series:

Mavs have led for 20:24 of the series, all in Game 2. Haven’t led tonight. If this holds up, will lead for 20:24 of the series’ 240 minutes.

— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) April 26, 2016

Oklahoma City continued to dictate the tempo in the second quarter, and it wasn’t just Durant and Westbrook. Anthony Slater of the Oklahoman noted the Thunder’s bench started 6-of-7 from the field, although Dallas went on a spurt of its own to trim the deficit to 55-51 with less than four minutes until halftime.

Despite a talent disparity, the Mavericks continued to hang tough on the road and were …

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