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 The outspoken Cuban told reporters that Thunder point guard
Russell Westbrook was just an All Star and not a superstar.
For most players, the comment would just be background noise. For
someone like Westbrook, it was lighter fluid for an already burning
motor.
Westbrook helped end the Mavericks' season, leading the Thunder to
an 118-104 victory in Game 5 of the Western Conference first-round
playoff series at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Westbrook was asked after the game to respond to Cuban's comments.
Thunder team mate Kevin Durant jumped in with an assist.
"He's an idiot," Durant said of Cuban. "He's idiot. That's what
we've got to say about that. Next question."
Oklahoma City won the series 4-1 to advance to a Western Conference
semifinal against the Spurs. Game 1 will be Saturday at San Antonio.
 Westbrook racked up 36 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists Monday,
shooting 13-for-23 from the floor. Durant scored 33 points on
11-of-24 shooting to go along with seven rebounds. Steven Adams
added 15 points and 10 boards.
"I will tell you this, I'm happy he's on my team," Oklahoma City
coach Billy Donovan said of Westbrook. "I wouldn't trade him for
anybody. There is no question that Russell Westbrook is one of the
best players in this league."
Dirk Nowitzki paced Dallas with 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting.
Dwight Powell came off the bench to score 16 points and grab nine
rebounds. Justin Anderson added 14 points in the loss.
"We're disappointed at the result, obviously," Dallas coach Rick
Carlisle said. "But I thought the effort from our team, from start
to finish in this series, was second to none.
"Couldn't be prouder of the way our guys competed all the way up to
the last second in our final game."
With 7:50 left in the game, Nowitzki cut the Thunder's lead to
101-98. Dallas got the ball back but missed two open 3-pointers that
would have tied the game.
Westbrook was fouled and hit a pair of free throws. After Dallas'
J.J. Barea missed a jumper, Westbrook drained another shot to put
the Thunder up 105-98.
Oklahoma City's Andre Roberson came up with a block, and it led to
another Westbrook jumper with 5:05 left.
The Mavericks' Raymond Felton finally ended the run with an
off-balance bucket. Dallas got the ball back, and Nowitzki drained a
3-pointer from the corner.
Westbrook took a long 3-point attempt that was off target. Roberson
got the rebound and scored on a put-back.
On their next possession, the Thunder missed three shots but got the
rebound each time. Durant finally knocked down a mid-range jumper
and was fouled in the process.
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Nowitzki was called for a technical foul. The ensuing free throws
gave the Thunder an 113-103 lead with 2:49 left. That was enough to
put the game and series away.
"I think for us getting a chance to move on is great," Donovan said.
"I think this series made our team better. We dealt with a lot of
physical confrontation. I say that in a very positive way."
Westbrook began the night like a man on a mission. Whether it was
knocking down his jumper or driving the baseline for dunks, he had
the Dallas defense on its heels. He ended the opening quarter with
13 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
Westbrook's attack mode may have been inspired by another
confrontation with Dallas forward Charlie Villanueva during his
pregame dance.
"Now he gets to go home and get ready in the offseason to sit and
watch 82 more games like he did this year," Westbrook said of
Villanueva.
"He might not even be in the league," Durant added.
Oklahoma City pushed its lead to 13 points before Dallas began to
whittle it down. Led by Nowitzki, the Mavs got the deficit down to a
single basket with 2:32 left in the first half.
However, the Thunder outscored the Mavs 13-8 down the stretch and
grabbed a 68-61 halftime advantage.
Oklahoma City was unable to pull away for much of the second half.
Every time, Durant, Westbrook or Dion Waiters put the home team
ahead by more than 10, the Mavs found a way to claw back to within
striking distance. Despite having only 10 players in uniform, the
Mavericks kept on battling back.
"Metaphorically, we emptied our chamber in five games," Carlisle
said. "I don't know what we would have thrown at them in Game 6.
They were just simply better. Their two superstars were just great
this series."
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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