NBA: Thunder squeak past Mavs anew, for 2-0 lead

James Harden and Kevin Durant sank six straight free throws in the final minute as the Oklahoma City Thunder staved off a determined Dallas Mavericks squad, 102-99, to grab a 2-0 lead in their best of seven first round playoff series.   The Thunder established their biggest lead early on at 16 points, 46-30, six minutes into the second quarter via a Russell Westbrook lay-up, but the defending NBA champs fought back, as the triumvirate of Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, and Jason Kidd sparked a 17-4 run that sliced their deficit down to seven, 57-50 at the break.   The Mavericks continued to narrow down Oklahoma's lead, with Nowitzki hitting two free throws at the 7:41 mark of the third quarter, to finally take the lead, 65-64.     The two teams had their fair share of the lead until the fourth period, with Dallas lunging ahead again off a pair of Nowitzki free throws and a Vince Carter turn-around bank shot, 97-96, 2:17 left.     Both sides swapped two empty possessions, until off a timeout, Kevin Durant was sent to the line by Jason Terry, where he sank two free throws to give the home team the lead back.   The Mavs turned to Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki, but he missed a 12-footer with 27 seconds before the final buzzer, forcing Dallas to foul. Sixth man James Harden coolly sank his freebies with 25 seconds left, as the Thunder built a three point lead, 100-97.   Dallas sued for time, and head coach Rick Carlisle drew up a play that saw Terry score a quick deuce to make it a one-point game, 100-99 with just five seconds used up. But when they sent Harden to the line again, he was still unfazed and sank both.   With no more ceasefires, Terry tried to force overtime with a triple that was off the mark. Carter managed a repossession and sent it back to Terry, but the second attempt still did not connect, resulting in the Thunder taking a 2-0 series lead.   Westbrook led the Thunder with 29 points, while Durant posted a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds.   Notably, the Thunder shot 95 percent from the line in a game that was ultimately decided by free throws, going 37-of-39 from the stripe, with Westbrook, Durant and Harden combining for a 32-of-34 clip. Center Kendrick Perkins rounded out the charities with a 5-for-5 night.   Nowitzki exploded for 31 points, going 10 of 19 from the field and eight rebounds in a losing effort. Shawn Marion added 15 markers and eight boards, while Jason Kidd had an all-around effort of 10 points, six rebounds and seven dimes.   Kidd joined Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen as the only NBA players to have at least 1,000 points, rebounds and assists in the postseason.   The two teams will play game three in Dallas on Thursday night (Friday morning, Manila time). - AMD, GMA News