Thunder: 1 stud, 4 duds from Game 3 loss to Dallas Mavericks

In what was the first real adversity faced by this young team, the OKC Thunder got outplayed down the final stretch, conceding Game 3, 101-105, versus the Dallas Mavericks. 

It was a back-and-forth game with the Mavericks mostly controlling the tempo.

While the Thunder took a momentary 10-point lead at one point, it evaporated quickly as the poor shot selection, frustrating defensive decisions, and overall brutal processes proved to be lethal in the number-one seed's Game 3 performance. 

It felt like the Thunder were in desperation mode throughout the final period, even reaching a point when head coach Mark Daigneuat implemented a hacking strategy in which they intentionally fouled Dereck Lively. 

It partly worked as Oklahoma CIty saved a possession or two in the final minutes. In the grander scheme, it was not a good look. 

For a team that prided itself as a superb defensive crew, the Thunder looked gassed on their point-of-attack resistance and was outplayed by the Mavericks on that end for most of the matchup. 

Inexperience may have played a role, but getting outhustled and one-upped by the Mavericks’ efforts should not bode well for a team that has been a relentless offensive and defensive machine in the regular season. 

Game 3 was a manifestation of where the Thunder is in its quest to return to basketball’s promised land. 

WIth that, here are the studs and duds from the loss.