Basketball: Adams denied buzzer-beater in loss

Steven Adams looks to block Wesley Matthews during the Thunder's loss to the Mavericks. Photo:...
Steven Adams looks to block Wesley Matthews during the Thunder's loss to the Mavericks. Photo: Reuters

A Steven Adams tip-in, which would have won the game, was deemed to be after the buzzer as the Oklahoma City Thunder were beaten 85-84 by the Dallas Mavericks in game two of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

Raymond Felton scored 21 points and made the match-winning shot with 39 seconds left, lifting the Dallas Mavericks to tie the series at a game apiece.

Felton shot 8-for-16 from the field to go along with 11 rebounds. Dirk Nowitzki added 17 points for Dallas, while Deron Williams scored 13.

Thunder forward Kevin Durant endured one of the worst shooting nights of his playoff career, with a 7-for-33 outing, for 21 points. Russell Westbrook posted 19 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.

Game 3 is Friday in Dallas (NZT).

Trailing 69-68, the Thunder went on an 8-0 run spearheaded by a Durant dunk and a 3-pointer from Serge Ibaka. It looked as if the Mavs were finally about to succumb to Oklahoma City's talent.

However, Dallas responded with a 10-2 run to retake lead at 79-78 with 4:40 left.

After a free throw from Durant, the game was tied. Steven Adams put the Thunder ahead with a put-back off a Westbrook missed layup.

The score was 81-81 with 1:59 left. Westbrook turned the ball over, but Dallas guard Wesley Matthews missed a 3-point attempt.

After another Thunder missed shot, Felton made Oklahoma City pay with a driving layup over Adams.

With 28 seconds left, the Thunder got the ball to Durant. As he made his move toward the basket, the ball flew out of bounds, but it was ruled to have gone off a Mavericks player.

Durant missed a 3-pointer from the corner. Matthews chased down the loose ball and turned it into a fastbreak layup to give Dallas a four-point advantage.

The Thunder came back to Durant, and he finally buried a 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds left.

Felton was fouled and missed both free throws with seven seconds to play. The Thunder took the ball the length of the court and Durant missed a layup. Adams tipped the ball in, but it was a split second after the buzzer.

Adams finished with nine points, seven rebounds, one assist and one block.

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