Playoffs 2024 - R2 - G3 - Mavs vs Thunder (Sat., 3:30PMEST)

[Dirk]

Can you imagine how scary the Mavs would be if PJ Washington randomly became a 40% 3pt shooter?

There is a lot of chatter about Josh Giddey. Not sure if the Thunder will change their lineup.

They also mostly blame the 119 points given up on 'defensive lapses', 'mental mistakes'.

Let's hope the real, real Luka build up on G2 and is even better in G3. We miss seeing lobs and dunks and blowing out the smaller Thunder.



“We have real honest talks about what the game was like, and we don’t sugarcoat anything,” Irving said when asked about the team’s response to Game 1’s disappointment. “We just address it right after the game and then when we go through film. It’s not about any hard feelings, it’s about us getting better, and when you can have that honesty in the locker room amongst guys who really want to win and do well for each other, (it) goes a long way.

“I think we were prepared today, a little bit more prepared than we were to go into this tough environment tonight, and I think we showed what great class (we have) on both ends of the floor.”

[ChipotleWest]

We're 0-2 in these afternoon games, 5-1 in all other games this playoffs. This team needs to play well early. Luckily there wouldn't be another one this series from what I read but we can't afford to give them hca back.

[Bob8]

We're 0-2 in these afternoon games, 5-1 in all other games this playoffs. This team needs to play well early. Luckily there wouldn't be another one this series from what I read but we can't afford to give them hca back.

I heard that Luka is a heavy drinker, so he's not sober yet in the afternoon.

[MassimoPayne]

Mavs just lose on early Sundays games. Luka's party nights are Saturday evening so we are fine.

[GermanFan120]

We got real lucky in game 2 as most of our 3s went in.

Game 3 won't be the same. The fact that Mavs play in the afternoon is already a BAD telling sign.

In fact we already lost game 3. Why? Because we got complacent already and it's time to choke in front of our home crowd.

Thunder will win game 3 by 4 points.

[dygaction]

We got real lucky in game 2 as most of our 3s went in.

Game 3 won't be the same. The fact that Mavs play in the afternoon is already a BAD telling sign.

In fact we already lost game 3. Why? Because we got complacent already and it's time to choke in front of our home crowd.

Thunder will win game 3 by 4 points.

Is the red color supposed to be anti jinx or what?

[ozwizard8]

Some instances of Lou Dort flops and REFS helping Thunder to swing momentum:

https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=413&GameID=0042300221&Season=2023-24&flag=1&title=Gafford%20OFF.Foul%20(P3)%20(B.Taylor)

https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=489&GameID=0042300221&Season=2023-24&flag=1&title=Green%20OFF.Foul%20(P3)%20(T.Brothers)

https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=59&GameID=0042300222&Season=2023-24&flag=1&title=Lively%20II%20OFF.Foul%20(P1)%20(S.Foster)

[ozwizard8]

Classic SGA. He can kick an opponent or just barrels into you and get a foul. Just a reminder this is playoffs and Kyrie-Luka is hacked all the time with mostly no calls at the same games.

Jones is not in the landing spot of SGA. He just kicks his foot in front too much.
https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=406&GameID=0042300221&Season=2023-24&flag=1&title=Jones%20Jr.%20S.FOUL%20(P3.T1)%20(B.Taylor)

Literally pushes off Gafford with elbow, Gafford tries to avoid any foul call and its an easy layup but still awarded with FT.
https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=281&GameID=0042300221&Season=2023-24&flag=1&title=Gafford%20S.FOUL%20(P2.T4)%20(T.Brothers)

Gafford is pushed in first play no call, SGA leans into DJJ to bump him and somehow get 2 FTs.
https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=287&GameID=0042300221&Season=2023-24&flag=1&title=Jones%20Jr.%20S.FOUL%20(P2.PN)%20(T.Brothers)

Another SOFT ass call for SGA. Luka almost never gets foul call for these and even harder ones in post up. I never saw anyone calling this a foul in the gym. SGA creates contact, spins with the contact and its a good position to be to make that shot. If someone miss this shot in the gym, they wouldn't even think about a foul here. It's like an open turnaround shot with the only contact initiated by the offensive player, which would help with the spin and rhythm for me if I am shooting that shot.
https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=332&GameID=0042300221&Season=2023-24&flag=1&title=Green%20S.FOUL%20(P2.PN)%20(B.Taylor)

[Mavrelous]

Go Mavs!!
OKC are killing Mavs defensive lineups, right now, the formula is, Green, PJ and DJJ get unlimited amount of open corner 3s, make 40% and you win the game.
With the way Shai is officiated, there is not much added value to perimeter defense...

[kacey ring]

Surely Luka plays, right?

[Archx]

Surely Luka plays, right?

He's been on that questionable list since the start of the season.

[User_friendly]

What is exactly Luka’s knee injury?
If it is something temporary ok, but it f is something that requires treatment, it will go for worse, won’t It?

[Archx]

What is exactly Luka’s knee injury?
If it is something temporary ok, but it f is something that requires treatment, it will go for worse, won’t It?

There have been 100's of posts on reddit about this. No one has a clue. We know only basic stuff that he would probably need a complete month or even more, to fully recover.

But additionaly to his knee, now it's also his ankle that's becoming a problem...

[ChipotleWest]

What is exactly Luka’s knee injury?
If it is something temporary ok, but it f is something that requires treatment, it will go for worse, won’t It?

Sprain knee, even a minor one lasts about six weeks a major one lasts for months. So most likely he won't recover this playoffs.

[tleikheen]

I see trends being broken here about Denver being toast because of Jamal Murray being hurt, the hesitancy of Dallas winning because of Luka being hurt ,yet here we are in Dallas favored to take the next 2 games .
Nothing like a thumping of Minnesota on their homecourt to change the thinking of Denvers demise. Today we'll see if the Mavs have a killer instinct to send a clear message of playoff physicality to OKC and seize control of this series.

This series isnt about minor injuries ,it's about who will impose its will on their opponent 1st. I want to see DLive and Gafford on their homecourt and see if Holmgren can play as imposing as he did on his homecourt on the Mavs court . This is where I think our key to the game will be.

[joesha1698]

I see trends being broken here about Denver being toast because of Jamal Murray being hurt, the hesitancy of Dallas winning because of Luka being hurt ,yet here we are in Dallas favored to take the next 2 games .
Nothing like a thumping of Minnesota on their homecourt to change the thinking of Denvers demise. Today we'll see if the Mavs have a killer instinct to send a clear message of playoff physicality to OKC and seize control of this series.

This series isnt about minor injuries ,it's about who will impose its will on their opponent 1st. I want to see DLive and Gafford on their homecourt and see if Holmgren can play as imposing as he did on his homecourt on the Mavs court . This is where I think our key to the game will be.

Here here to Lively having a better game! Where would we be without Gafford? Seriously.

[ChipotleWest]

90 year old Hubie Brown said Luka was 6'7 320 lbs.

[tleikheen]

My Key to the Game .....Chet Holmgren vs Gafford/DLive and my prediction 25 pts/14 rebs against Holmgren and Mavs win

[Mavrelous]

Diagnault is still adamant on starting Giddey, I respect him for it.

[ChipotleWest]

Love the start, Mavs look like the better team at the moment.