GAME 5 Playoffs 2024: Oklahoma City Thunder (2-2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (2-2)

[dirkfansince1998]

DJJ is getting paid and I really hope that Dumont is writting the check.

[RGP1981]

Phew! So glad this game didn't turn out like game 4. The team needs to finish this in Dallas.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

Phew! So glad this game didn't turn out like game 4. The team needs to finish this in Dallas.

Hoping the Mavs can unload THJ and pay DJJ.

[dirkfansince1998]

OKC 10/40 from 3. This isn't over. They missed good looks and had the best 3P% in the league in the regular season. Need another special performance on defense and some luck to close the series in game six.

[Berknip]

And jettison Hardaway Sr.’s nonsense in the process

[Jym]

love to see a mentally strong team
plenty of teams out there who would have folded and Cancun'd it after that last game

[dirkfansince1998]

I know that it can be frustrating for Luka but these low FTA games are benefiting the Mavs. If the refs get whistle happy OKC benefits more than Dallas.

[KillerLeft]

OKC 10/40 from 3. This isn't over. They missed good looks and had the best 3P% in the league in the regular season. Need another special performance on defense and some luck to close the series in game six.

I thought they missed some easy looks in the 2nd quarter, for sure. 

I’m leaning Mavs defense more than OKC missing for most of the 2nd half.

[Chicagojk]

OKC 10/40 from 3. This isn't over. They missed good looks and had the best 3P% in the league in the regular season. Need another special performance on defense and some luck to close the series in game six.

Yes they missed some very makeable shots.  

Although from our past perimeter Mavs teams, those shots are much harder when the pressure is on.  Dallas controlled the rim and didn’t give up many free throws.  Really limiting ways OKC to win.

I agree…not over though

[KillerLeft]

I know that it can be frustrating for Luka but these low FTA games are benefiting the Mavs. If the refs get whistle happy OKC benefits more than Dallas.

Agreed. I think he is a little too focused on the whistle that SGA gets, specifically, rather than being grateful that the refs are calling that type of foul for everyone.

[BolsDamols]

Still need Kyrie to take more shots man, 11 - shots is not enough - anytime he is open, shoot. dont care for this playmaker stuff

[RGP1981]

OKC 10/40 from 3. This isn't over. They missed good looks and had the best 3P% in the league in the regular season. Need another special performance on defense and some luck to close the series in game six.

Agreed! OKC were cold from three-point range today. The Mavericks can't afford to think they have this in the bag and take the foot off the gas. They need to be focused, and play hard and smart. If they let OKC back into the series at 3-3, I think it will then give OKC the confidence and momentum they will need to win at home in game 7.

[Berknip]

Preventing them from gaining confidence on easy shots helps.

[KillerLeft]

Still need Kyrie to take more shots man, 11 - shots is not enough - anytime he is open, shoot. dont care for this playmaker stuff

That’s the beauty of having two of them. Kyrie has been carrying them through most of the playoffs, tonight was Luka’s turn.

[dirkfansince1998]

I thought they missed some easy looks in the 2nd quarter, for sure. 

I’m leaning Mavs defense more than OKC missing for most of the 2nd half.

I think Dort, Jay Williams and Wallace are comparable to DFS in the past. Shooting high 30s from 3 in the regular season but probably more mid/low 30s in a playoff environment with more pressure and maybe a little less time and space.

[Chicagojk]

I would like Kyrie to be more aggressive. Need to give OKc credit. They are giving both him and Luka very little easy looks. Really focusing other Mavs tonight shots. For the most part they have

[donzingis38]

All Luka has to do is NOT COMPLAIN. Just play basketball.

[SwisherPrice]

I think this is as good as it will get for Kyrie in this series...especially when he's playing 40+ minutes every game. OKC is too tough of a matchup for him where he won't be going off.

[LukaMVP]

we have two superstars while OKC only have one, which gives us the edge. SGA been consistently good though. and our bench ain't that poor and some guys can get jobs done once in a while imho.

[BolsDamols]

Also whats up with the Hardy experiment? At one point we had THJ, Hardy with Kyrie in the game, I was scared for my life

At least with Exum, he is not a liability defensively. I wish this experiment won't show up in Game 6 and Exum gets another shot.