On Tuesday evening, two titans of the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks, will meet in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup. The score was 57-54 in the first half.

Dallas got off to a hot start while stifling OKC’s efforts and quickly led 8-0 behind defenseman Kyrie Irving’s five points. However, the home team quickly took the lead after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored three timely goals.

The Thunder continued Dallas’ hot start with a 15-1 run of their own, thanks largely to Gilgeous-Alexander and two three-pointers from Luguentz Dort.

From there, Oklahoma City stepped on the accelerator and ultimately ended the first frame with a 32-24 lead. Superstar Luka Doncic finished the quarter just 1-for-5, while Gilgeous-Alexander led the game with a fiery 16 points.

The second quarter was hard fought and the teams exchanged blows throughout. A pair of Kenrich Williams threes deep in the frame would give OKC a small lead.

Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 18 points. Williams led the Thunder bench with nine, and Naji Marshall led Dallas with 14 off the bench.

The winner of Tuesday’s game between Oklahoma City and Dallas will face the winner of the Rockets-Warriors duel on Wednesday in another NBA Cup game. The respective losers meet in a Sunday game.

Milwaukee defeated the Orlando Magic on the east side of the bracket on Tuesday night and will wait to play the winner of the Hawks and Knicks.

The second half of Thunder-Mavericks continues after the break on TNT.

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