Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks 04/03/10

[slick_watts]

The gauntlet continues..

These are the types of games we will have to win to make up for losing those divisional games to the Spurs and Blazers.

After we beat Dallas last time they went on their 13 game winning streak but have since come back down to earth. They look real vulnerable at the moment, ekeing out a win at Memphis and falling to Orlando at home.

I like the guard matchups against this team. Other than that, Dallas is a tough cover. Shawn Marion, and the Dallas team in general, does a great job on Durant making him work hard. Jeff Green has problems with Dirk's length (Ibaka did wiell in the previous meeting), and Haywood / Dampier are both physical presences that can generate second chance points.

We're going to have to have the same kind of defensive effort we had last time against this team. Durant is going to have to find a way to get going..

[OzThunder]

I remember Green did a ridiculously good job of crowding Dirk down the stretch of the last game...Hopefully he can pull that effort for a whole game.

[dream_catcher_9]

I predict a double digit win. I think the team comes out fired up and takes it to Dallas.

[BIG EDDIE]

I predict a double digit win. I think the team comes out fired up and takes it to Dallas.

Now that's the attitude I love!!

The forecast said its gonna be a stormy night in Dallas

[Clangus]

I remember Green did a ridiculously good job of crowding Dirk down the stretch of the last game...Hopefully he can pull that effort for a whole game.

Ibaka also did a great job when in the game.

[slick_watts]

Cruddy start.. the defensive switching boggles my mind against Dallas when we switch with Dirk. We do it all the time and he kills us.

Durant's going to have a tough time getting going. Three jumpers to start the game.

[slick_watts]

One of the worst defensive quarters of the year but we're only down two.. plus side is the Mavs can't possibly shoot better, and our defense can't possibly get worse.

[BIG EDDIE]

One of the worst defensive quarters of the year but we're only down two.. plus side is the Mavs can't possibly shoot better, and our defense can't possibly get worse.

I dont neccesserly agree with you on that.
The Mavs shot lik 80% in the first half, but it wasnt all for the bad defense by OKC, they were just red hot. What goes around, comes around...so we'll see.

[BIG EDDIE]

Nick "Metal Knee" Collison is kickin asssss tonight!!

[slick_watts]

Nah, the starters have been playing some bad defense.. Russ going under screens, poor help defense..

But we have a lead so it's good. The offense has been humming lately and tonight is no different.

[slick_watts]

Dunno how this game will end but so far thank the lord for Jason Terry. Wow has he been bad.

[BIG EDDIE]

Kidd's cynica smile with 18 points down with 7 mins to go kinda scares me.

[OzThunder]

Wow...the start of a choke. Things get close and 3 contested 3's are launched, one by Maynor.

Get it to Green. Mid post.

[mcmokken]

I'm impressed at how they were able to close this one out. Well done.

[slick_watts]

We choked the lead away but I really like how Brooks kept Maynor in this game when he had it going. Brooks is usually quite inflexible about his rotations but made the right decision here with butterfingers (Harden) not having a great day. That decision won us the game, Dallas couldn't really handle both Maynor and Russ.

We're now officially in the playoffs!

[dream_catcher_9]

wow, that game was nerve racking. James Harden single handily gave Dallas all that momentum. Thank god for the other rook Maynor......and I'm glad Brooks kept Maynor in the game he was playing very well.

But what is up with our defense? Only time we can play great D is in 2 minute bursts. Thank god our offense has been great lately.

[OzThunder]

scrappy, but you'll take a win in Dallas.

Note to Scott Brooks, run your team through a press break play. When teams are running presses you should be hitting the middle and running off it, get some lay-ups and they'll pull it back. A 2-1-1-1 press would've split them like a coconut, instead we run an awkward pass to Maynor who takes Kidd and a helo defender on.

Also i don't know about keeping Maynor on because Dallas are using two point guards. Harden would be able to guard Kidd/ Barea while keeping the advantage on our offensive end. Props to Maynor for hitting that 3 though

[slick_watts]

wow, that game was nerve racking. James Harden single handily gave Dallas all that momentum. Thank god for the other rook Maynor......and I'm glad Brooks kept Maynor in the game he was playing very well.

But what is up with our defense? Only time we can play great D is in 2 minute bursts. Thank god our offense has been great lately.

It's about focus I think. It's encouraging to see the offense produce so well. We know the defense can be good. At some point, hopefully, it all gets put together.

[dream_catcher_9]

scrappy, but you'll take a win in Dallas.

Note to Scott Brooks, run your team through a press break play. When teams are running presses you should be hitting the middle and running off it, get some lay-ups and they'll pull it back. A 2-1-1-1 press would've split them like a coconut, instead we run an awkward pass to Maynor who takes Kidd and a helo defender on.

Also i don't know about keeping Maynor on because Dallas are using two point guards. Harden would be able to guard Kidd/ Barea while keeping the advantage on our offensive end. Props to Maynor for hitting that 3 though

Harden was the only reason Dallas had all that momentum.

[KidDelicious]

doesnt matter how we got there all i know is....


THE OKLAHOMA THUNDER ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!