GAME 6 Playoffs 2024: Oklahoma City Thunder (2-3) vs. Dallas Mavericks (3-2)

[Scott41theMavs]

I’m 100% with you that the league cheats. But I don’t agree it’s as simplistic as every series to 7 if we can. I think they monitor a million different things, like which series is boosting their average tv ratings (Minny/Denver), and which isn’t (us). I think they go to great lengths to disguise their influence, and the advent of legal gambling gives them even more incentive to obfuscate. I think they help franchises for sale to get a better price. I think they rotate giving favorable whistles to small market teams one year or another to try to keep them from griping too much. I think they create new gimmicks (in-season tourney) so they can cash in again on LeBron marketability without totally delegitimizing the whole season. 

I’m also 100% with you that the Mavs are too good to lose a 7-game series to the Thunder. But I think that makes em 4th best, not top 3. I’ve generally been one of the biggest optimists on this board. So this isn’t like me. But I think we match up very poorly with the teams that are left. I’ll be surprised if we win 2 more games, regardless of opponent. I think we were the 4th best team in 2022. And I think we’re 4th best this year. Although I really, really hope I’m wrong.

Dude, read your sig. 

I would call BS on the Mavs being no better than fourth of the final six, but it depends on whether or not you are factoring in Luka's current health. With a healthy Luka, Minnie is the only team I fear. His injuries mean that the Nuggets and Celtics should probably be ranked higher. But under no circumstances are either the Knicks or Pacers better. The Mavs looked shaky as heck in this series in many respects (Luka and Kai) and yet prevailed. If Luka knocks off the complaining and turnover horsepucky, and if Kyrie gets his 14-0 self together, there will be plenty of reason to believe.