2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL WINS 4-2)

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Who wins and goes to the WCFs?

Thunder in 4
12
4%
Thunder in 5
30
9%
Thunder in 6
67
21%
Thunder in 7
39
12%
Mavericks in 4
3
1%
Mavericks in 5
13
4%
Mavericks in 6
128
39%
Mavericks in 7
34
10%
 
Total votes: 326

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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3541 » by Forbes » Tue May 14, 2024 3:30 am

What a horrible quarter, Kyrie taking too long to get aggressive. Wait too easy for him to get his to not start going off.
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3542 » by TheBullsDynasty » Tue May 14, 2024 3:30 am

That was some ugly basketball from both teams in that 3rd Q but at least the game is close. I have a feeling that OKC will be able to pull off this comeback and win the game unless Kyrie goes nuclear.
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3543 » by vulture » Tue May 14, 2024 3:30 am

If OKC role players can make some shots to loosen the defense Shai should be able to close
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3544 » by ChipotleWest » Tue May 14, 2024 3:30 am

Ducklett wrote:I dont mean this as an insult or as a jab but how is SGA different than young Westbrook?


Better shooter and defender.
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3545 » by MoneyTalks41890 » Tue May 14, 2024 3:30 am

Ducklett wrote:I dont mean this as an insult or as a jab but how is SGA different than young Westbrook?


When Shai takes a mid range it’s statistically a very good shot for him, maybe better than anyone else in the league taking that shot. Also plays below the rim more and with more deliberate movements
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3546 » by Chuck Everett » Tue May 14, 2024 3:30 am

Games like tonight is why so many people dislike what the regular season has turned into. So many guys look pedestrian once playoff defense turns up.

I wonder at what point in the game will the Thunder stop doubling and leaving 3 point shooters wide open.
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3547 » by ___Rand___ » Tue May 14, 2024 3:31 am

Both teams have good defensive plans right now. Whoever cracks it is gonna win.
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3548 » by Primedeion » Tue May 14, 2024 3:31 am

Ducklett wrote:I dont mean this as an insult or as a jab but how is SGA different than young Westbrook?


Outside of the huge difference in defense, shooting, decision making, efficiency... nothing.
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3549 » by dygaction » Tue May 14, 2024 3:31 am

Okc 3/19 from the 3pt line. 4th quarter, do OKC continue to try? They seem to be really unsure
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3550 » by ChipotleWest » Tue May 14, 2024 3:31 am

Dallas by quarter 30, 24 then 15. What's the 4th going to be 9?
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3551 » by ___Rand___ » Tue May 14, 2024 3:32 am

Chuck Everett wrote:Games like tonight is why so many people dislike what the regular season has turned into. So many guys look pedestrian once playoff defense turns up.

I wonder at what point in the game will the Thunder stop doubling and leaving 3 point shooters wide open.


It's working right now. They've cut the lead by 10.
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3552 » by blueberrysticky » Tue May 14, 2024 3:32 am

Is this an injured Luka doppleganger? He's got the whining down to a science, but this one can't play basketball.
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3553 » by tleikheen » Tue May 14, 2024 3:32 am

Luka needs to focus on winning because his bad play is a big reason for Dallas struggling offensively ....he's whining to the referees and forgetting to play
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3554 » by sikma42 » Tue May 14, 2024 3:32 am

Rainwater wrote:
Yuri36 wrote:
durden_tyler wrote:
Too much midrange-- easier to gameplan against those kind of offensive players. To be in Steph, Luka level, he has to decide to improve (and take) that 3 pt shots or just attack all the way eveyrtime (a la Lebron, less bully ball but more wily drives).


I find it really funny that people are criticizing SGA's style of play when MJ was playing almost exactly the same way.


Maybe it’s the Kobe comparisons that I find annoying but he is not as dominant in my opinion. To say even invoke Jordan is more absurd in my opinion.

Kobe didn’t get huge assists numbers bc the triangle. But he was directing the triangle and playing a floor game. He knew when to attack the basket, get other teammates shots in certain spots etc. Kobe was playing chess and it seems like SGA just have that ability. It’s just either score or pass it off. He needs to develop the mental side, which will also include leading his teammates.

He’s not close year and he’s not that young any more.


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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3555 » by Forbes » Tue May 14, 2024 3:32 am

Ducklett wrote:I dont mean this as an insult or as a jab but how is SGA different than young Westbrook?


The disrespect is insane.
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3556 » by cupcakesnake » Tue May 14, 2024 3:32 am

Ducklett wrote:I dont mean this as an insult or as a jab but how is SGA different than young Westbrook?


The big difference is that when Shai shoots the basketball it goes in a lot more often.
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3557 » by Patches Perry » Tue May 14, 2024 3:32 am

Dallas has been just going through the motions and keeping OKC at arms length. They're 100% going to blow this open.
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3558 » by Metin91 » Tue May 14, 2024 3:33 am

Luka shooting below 40% these playoffs and they still on track to go ahead 3-1

Winner of this series will be lucky to win more then a game vs either Denver or Minnesota
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3559 » by life_saver » Tue May 14, 2024 3:33 am

Kyrie with just 6 shot attempts lol
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Re: 2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads 2-1) 

Post#3560 » by GrandTheftRondo » Tue May 14, 2024 3:33 am

Primedeion wrote:
Ducklett wrote:I dont mean this as an insult or as a jab but how is SGA different than young Westbrook?


Outside of the huge difference in defense, shooting, decision making, efficiency... nothing.

Yeah lol.

Westbrook had an awful jumper when he was young, bad decision maker and certainly wasn’t good defensively.

Was all raw athleticism

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