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

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Lots of recency bias on this board.

Exum had a really solid season. He’s been tentative and relatively ineffective during the playoffs. Is it simply lack of experience? Bad matchups? Or just a series of bad games, and a corresponding drop in confidence? Hard to say.

THJ struggled with his shot over the second half of the season. That’s continued through the playoffs, with a couple of good games sprinkled around. Last night he was 2 of 6, 1 of 3 on threes, with a rebound and a turnover. Plus 5 for the 12 minutes he was on the court. Not a great line, but not terrible. He needs some minutes in every game, just on the chance that he’ll be ridiculously hot and win a game. On the bench, there’s zero chance of that. Lottery ticket. Kidd understands what he’s got.

Green had some good plays and some bad misses. It seems like his confidence is growing as the playoffs progress. He had problems dealing with SGA’s push-off move, but so does anyone else who guards him. I suspect his minutes will increase as the Mavs go deeper into the playoffs.

Mavs in 6.

Great points!

IMO, Exum is lacking confidence.  Hasn't he played most of his pro career international?  These lights are bright.

THJ...  I just see him as a terrible drain on the game unless he is hot shooting.  I can't recall a game that he started off bad, then shot his way through it.  If he's off that night, I'd really like to see mins go to Green, and even Hardy (not the most successful entry last night, but we need fearless scorers given we have so many hesitant scorers.

Mavs in 6!