Mavericks On The Precipice

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The defending world champion Dallas Mavericks are one game away from being sent home in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.  With a 95-79 loss at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Mavs find themselves in a 3-0 hole in the best-of-seven series.  It is the 5th straight Oklahoma City win over Dallas.

The Mavericks have never been swept in a best-of-seven series. Dallas is 15-16 (.483) all-time in elimination games. No team in NBA history has ever bounced back from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series.

Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki finished one rebound shy of a double-double with a team-high 17 points and a playoff-high nine rebounds in 39 minutes. Shawn Marion grabbed a playoff-high 10 boards in 34 minutes. He has led Dallas in rebounding in each of the first three games of the series. Yi Jianlian appeared in his first career playoff game and had two points and two rebounds in 5 minutes. Mavericks guard Kelenna Azubuike made his 2012 postseason debut and scored three points in 5 minutes.

Dallas outshot Oklahoma City 20-of-26 (.769) to 11-of-17 (.647) from the line Game 3. It was the first time in the series that either team shot below 80 percent from the stripe. Oklahoma City attempted only 17 free throws, marking the first time in the series that either team attempted fewer than 20 in a game.

Game 4 vs. Oklahoma City is on May 5 at 6:30 p.m. CT at the American Airlines Center.