NBA Daily Blog Playoff Edition: Thunder, one win away from knocking off the defending champion Mavericks with Game 3 win in Dallas. Heat go up 3-0 over the Knicks.

Russell Westbrook passes thru the Mavericks defense

Photo ©NBA/Thunder.com

The Oklahoma City Thunder are now one win away from advancing to the second round as they defeat the defending champions the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of their first round series at the American Airlines Center 95-79. Game 4 will be in Dallas on May 6. If the Mavericks lose in Game 4, it will be the 2nd straight season that the defending champions be swept in a playoff series. Ironically, it was the Mavericks who dealt that blow last year, doing it in the second round over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 31 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. Russell Westbrook added 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Serge Ibaka finished with a double-double 10 points and 11 rebounds with 4 blocks. James Harden and Derek Fisher both off the bench each scored 10. Harden also added 3 steals. Daequan Cook scored 9.

Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 17 points and 9 rebounds. Jason Kidd added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Jason Terry added 11 points and 6 assists off the bench. Shawn Marion pulled down 10 rebounds with 6 points and 2 blocks. Delonte West scored 9. Vince Carter scored 7.

In New York City, the Miami Heat are also one win away from knocking off the New York Knicks in their first round series with the Game 3 victory at Madison Square Garden 87-70. LeBron James led the Heat 32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Dwayne Wade added 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Mario Chalmers added 19 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Chris Bosh added 9 points and 10 rebounds. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 22 points and 8 rebounds. J.R. Smith off the bench added 12 points and 2 steals. Recently crowned Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler finished with a double-double 10 points and 15 rebounds with 2 steals and 2 blocks. Landry Fields scored 9.

2012 NBA Playoffs Bracket (as of 14:38 PHT)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Spurs vs #8 Jazz (Spurs lead series 2-0)
Game 3: May 6, 10:00 am PHT on Studio 23 and NBA Premium TV

#4 Grizzlies vs #5 Clippers (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: May 6, 4:30 am PHT on NBA Premium TV

#3 Lakers vs #6 Nuggets (Lakers lead series 2-0)
Game 3: May 5, 10:30 am PHT on ESPN

#2 Thunder vs #7 Mavericks (Thunder lead series 3-0)
Game 4: May 6, 7:30 am PHT on Studio 23

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Bulls vs #8 76ers (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: May 5, 8:00 am PHT on Studio 23 and NBA Premium TV

#4 Celtics vs #5 Hawks (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: May 5, 7:30 am PHT on NBA Premium TV

#3 Pacers vs #6 Magic (Pacers lead series 2-1)
Game 4: May 6, 2:00 am PHT on Basketball TV

#2 Heat vs #7 Knicks (Heat lead series 3-0)
Game 4: May 7, 3:30 am PHT on NBA Premium TV

K-Smoove