Juan Carlos Blanco, RotoWire
Brandon Paul’s standout shooting effort led the Dallas Mavericks to a 96-75 rout of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday afternoon at the Orlando Summer League.
The Mavericks (4-0) have been one of the most prolific offensive clubs in Summer League play, and that trend continued Wednesday with their second consecutive 90-plus-point effort. Dallas shot an impressive 50.7 percent from the field, including a stellar 57.9 percent from long distance. Four Mavs players reached double-digits, and a 35-12 lead after one quarter gave Dallas the cushion it needed to essentially coast the rest of the way.
Paul posted an impressive all-around stat line of 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. Luis Montero, a 24-year-old shooting guard who saw action in 12 games for the Trail Blazers two seasons ago, broke out with 16 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals. Power forward Jameel Warney followed with 14 points, five boards, an assist and two blocks. Dwight Buycks, who checked into Wednesday with a team-leading 16.7 points per game over the first three contests, continued his strong play with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Ding Yanyuhang, last season’s Chinese Basketball Association MVP, contributed 10 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal. Former NC State standout Cat Barber continued his solid Summer League stint with nine points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal.
The Thunder (2-2) were once again spearheaded by leading scorer Dakari Johnson, who supplied 18 points and supplemented them with two rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Semaj Christon followed with 16 points, eight assists and two rebounds, but he also committed seven turnovers. Josh Huestis, who entered Wednesday averaging 16.5 points per game in Summer League play, tallied 11 points, seven boards and an assist. Rookie Dylan Ennis registered nine points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal. Marcus Thornton played 30 minutes and parlayed them into eight points, three assists and two rebounds.
The respective matchups for the Mavericks and Thunder on Thursday’s Championship Day will be determined later Wednesday.
