Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers level NBA play-off series with wins over Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics

Luca Doncic and PJ Washington both scored 29 points as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-110 to level their Western Conference semi-final at 1-1.

Doncic looked to be battling a knee injury but also added 10 rebounds and seven assists as the Mavs handed the Thunder their first defeat of the post-season.

“I think that was one of the hardest games I’ve had to play,” said Doncic.

“I’m battling out there, trying to do my best to help the team win. It’s just my mentality to have a great start and then team is going to follow me.”

The Mavericks made 18 three-pointers, with Washington converting seven of 11.

"I thought PJ set the tone," said Dallas head coach Jason Kidd.

"We played through him a little bit in the post, and I think that sparked him. He was big for us tonight."

Game 3 takes place in Dallas on Saturday as the Mavericks look to move ahead in the series.

"They have great players," said Doncic about the Thunder.

"They have great chemistry, great team, and it's going to be tough. It's going to be a fight until the end. So, just much respect to Oklahoma [City], but it's big time we won this game."

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top scored with 33 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder, while Jalen Williams added 20 points.

The Mavericks led 68-62 at half-time but were pegged back early in the third period.

Doncic helped move the visitors into a 99-89 lead and they remained in front to close out the win.

"We've got a really good opponent that played really well tonight," said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault.

"We tried to scrap back into it. I thought our effort was really good tonight. I thought we tried to gear it up a couple different times. I thought where we left something to be desired was execution."

The Cleveland Cavaliers also levelled their Eastern Conference semi-final against the Boston Celtics with a 118-94 win at TD Garden.

Donovan Mitchell scored 23 of his 29 points in the second half to help the Cavs to victory.

"I like the way that we were just attack-minded," said Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff.

"We didn't settle for the first quick (shot) that we saw."

The Cavs trailed in both of the first two quarters but levelled at 54-54 at half-time.

Mitchell then went off for 16 points in the third quarter as the Cavs took control of the game.

They led by 12 going into the fourth and pulled clear to secure a commanding victory.

"Everybody did their job," said Mitchell. "At the end of the day, it's one win. We've got to do it at the crib."

Evan Mobley scored 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Cleveland while Caris LeVert added 21 points.

Game 3 is in Cleveland on Saturday.

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