Dallas Mavericks Win Game 6, Advance to Next Round

Mavs Defeat Thunder 117-116, Will Face Winner of Nuggets-Timberwolves Game 7

Five Takeaways from the Matchup

The Dallas Mavericks authored a thrilling 117-116 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 on Saturday, advancing to the next round of the playoffs. Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 30 points, while Kyrie Irving added 28. The Mavericks will now face the winner of Sunday's Game 7 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Here are five takeaways from the matchup:

1. Luka Doncic is a superstar. The 24-year-old Slovenian continues to prove that he is one of the best players in the NBA. He was unstoppable in Game 6, scoring 30 points on 10-of-18 shooting. He also had 11 rebounds and 8 assists.
2. Kyrie Irving is a closeout king. Irving has now won 10 consecutive closeout games without a loss. He was clutch in Game 6, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning shot with just seconds remaining.
3. The Mavericks' defense stepped up. The Thunder shot just 42.9% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range. The Mavericks' defense was especially good in the fourth quarter, holding the Thunder to just 18 points.
4. The Thunder played with heart. Despite being down 3-2 in the series, the Thunder never gave up. They fought hard in Game 6 and had a chance to win at the end. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 28 points.
5. The Mavericks are a legitimate contender. The Mavs have now won two straight playoff series and are playing with a lot of confidence. They have a lot of talent and experience, and they are a team that can make a deep run in the playoffs.

The Mavericks will now wait to see who they will face in the next round. The Nuggets and Timberwolves are two of the best teams in the Western Conference, so the Mavericks will have their work cut out for them. But if they play like they did in Game 6, they will be a tough team to beat.