Dirk Nowitzki has never been as daring as he was Tuesday, leaving witnesses on both sides mesmerized with his seemingly effortless shooting. Serge Ibaka faced Dirk Nowitzki, stretching his 7-foot-4 wingspan to make the view of the basket as tough as possible, but Dirk was unstoppable nailing shot after shot. When Ibaka got into foul trouble guarding Nowitzki, it was Thabo Sefolosha’s turn and then Kevin Durant’s. Guys kept coming and coming, but Dirk was just magnificent at every shot he attempted. Basketball lines.

Six Thunder players had the misfortune of trying to guard Nowitzki, and the big German either shot over them or put them in foul trouble.

Wherever he went, whoever he was up against, Nowitzki either nailed a shot or made his way to the foul line. He hit 10 of his first 11 shots from the field and an NBA playoff-record 24 straight free throws on the way to 48 points, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 121-112 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday night. Basketball betting lines.

Nowitzki posted 12 of 15 from the field and a perfect 24 of 24 from the foul line. It was the most points scored by any player during these playoffs. Dirk ended the game two points shy of his most ever in a postseason game.

Dirk got massive help from teammates Jason Terry who scored 24 points and J.J. Barea who added 21 off the bench as the Mavs picked up where they left off in a sweep of the Lakers nine days before.

Durant led his team with 40 points, Russel Westbrook joined him with 20 points, three assists and three rebounds.

Game 2 is Thursday night in Dallas, where the Mavs are 6-0 this postseason. Basketball scores.

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