Game 53: Oklahoma City Thunder (35-16) vs. Dallas Mavericks (29-23)

[Scott41theMavs]

For those who care about +/-, Hardy was the only player with minus numbers, and that's with scoring five points on perfect shooting. Young man's got to learn defense.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

For those who care about +/-, Hardy was the only player with minus numbers, and that's with scoring five points on perfect shooting. Young man's got to learn defense.

So is he the backup pg until or if they sign someone?

[SleepingHero]

One thing I didn't like about the 2nd is that when the Thunder went super small ball he took off Gafford and put in Maxi. Would've been interested to see a Maxi+Gafford combo and eat in the paint.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

How bad is knee bursitis?

A healthy Exum can really help.

[SleepingHero]

How bad is knee bursitis?

A healthy Exum can really help.

It's an overuse injury. Probably got it by ramping back up quickly after his foot sprain. Symptom severity depends on the person but it typically goes away 2-3 weeks after rest.

[dirkfansince1998]

One thing I didn't like about the 2nd is that when the Thunder went super small ball he took off Gafford and put in Maxi. Would've been interested to see a Maxi+Gafford combo and eat in the paint.

Considering that the Maxi small ball minutes looked great and that the defense wasn't looking as good in the Gafford minutes it's easy to understand why. A big like Gafford (even Gobert) is helpless when he ends up on an island against a player like Williams or SGA. Maxi on the other hand is probably a better perimeter defender than most guards/wings.
First game for Gafford and he is making an impact on the offensive end but defensively this is one of the worst matchups for him. OKC has a stretch big and basically all of their guys can attack of the catch/dribble.

[dirkfansince1998]

Luka could have just played on and pressed Dort in the back court with 5s left on the clock. Instead he throws a tantrum and gives up an uncontested drive.

[Mavs2021]

No wonder we suck at home, when these clowns at the scorers table screw their own team over. That should have been a shot clock violation instead of a basket.

[SleepingHero]

Great first couple of minutes. Luka looks like the refs are getting to him, although I understand.

Kyrie is starting to heat up. DJJ with a fantastic block out. Maxi with a lob to Green???? How many dunks are we at today?

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Considering that the Maxi small ball minutes looked great and that the defense wasn't looking as good in the Gafford minutes it's easy to understand why. A big like Gafford (even Gobert) is helpless when he ends up on an island against a player like Williams or SGA. Maxi on the other hand is probably a better perimeter defender than most guards/wings.
First game for Gafford and he is making an impact on the offensive end but defensively this is one of the worst matchups for him. OKC has a stretch big and basically all of their guys can attack of the catch/dribble.

You're 100% right, but I was curious to see what would've happened if the Mavs zigged when the Thunder zagged. 

Odds are it would've been PnR over and over and Mavs would've gotten eaten alive. But who knows?

[dirkfansince1998]

No wonder we suck at home, when these clowns at the scorers table screw their own team over. That should have been a shot clock violation instead of a basket.

It should but it also could have been an easy stop if Luka would just continue to play in situations like this. He cannot control the refs but he can control his own actions.

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Great first couple of minutes. Luka looks like the refs are getting to him, although I understand.

Kyrie is starting to heat up. DJJ with a fantastic block out. Maxi with a lob to Green???? How many dunks are we at today?

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You're 100% right, but I was curious to see what would've happened if the Mavs zigged when the Thunder zagged. 

Odds are it would've been PnR over and over and Mavs would've gotten eaten alive. But who knows?

I would prefer to win the game instead of trying out new stuff. Only 30 games left and right now the Mavs are a play-in team.

[Scott41theMavs]

Maxi making his case not to lose time to Gafford and PJ moving forward.

[SleepingHero]

That was a real dirty push in the back by Dort there.

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I would prefer to win the game instead of trying out new stuff. Only 30 games left and right now the Mavs are a play-in team.

[donzingis38]

Thats two times in a row they just let Giddey shot a 3 in the corner. SMH

[SleepingHero]

Maxi getting hit in the face almost as much as Powell now.

[dirkfansince1998]

Thats two times in a row they just let Giddey shot a 3 in the corner. SMH

That's the gameplan. A pretty good one so far. Giddey is a bad shooter. Mavs have one free safety that can help off Giddey and shadow the drive of SGA/Williams.

[KillerLeft]

Thats two times in a row they just let Giddey shot a 3 in the corner. SMH

That has been part of their strategy since opening tipoff.

[donzingis38]

WTFFFFF is up with them just letting Giddey shoot these 3s

[SleepingHero]

Luka looks checked out right now playing against the refs. Just flinging stuff up and not trying on defense.

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WTFFFFF is up with them just letting Giddey shoot these 3s

He's big ass at threes. Any time he shoots its a win for the Mavs.

[donzingis38]

Luka looks checked out right now playing against the refs. Just flinging stuff up and not trying on defense.

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He's big ass at threes. Any time he shoots its a win for the Mavs.

It's going to burn us eventually

[dirkfansince1998]

I just don't get stretches like this. 2-3 possessions in row where they completly ruin the rhythm on offense with early shot clock bricks.