Terrible Playoff Luck in OKC

After two games, anyone that has a clue can tell you that the Oklahoma City Thunder are very fortunate to be up 2 games to none on the Dallas Mavericks. Failed attempts to hold leads by the Mavs lead to both Thunder wins of 1 and 3 points.

Execution in the closing minutes was very ineffective. In game 2 the Mavs were plagued by a bad foul by Jason Terry with 2 seconds left on the shot clock which lead to two Kevin Durant free throws. The Thunder didn't make a basket in the last few minutes of the game; only able to put points on the board from the free throw line. Dirk Nowitzki missed a wide open three pointer to ice the game, and the had one rattle out that would have game them the lead with 24 seconds to go.

The Mavericks should feel as good as one could feel after losing the first two games of a seven game series. The Thunder rely so much on the Jump shot that you wonder if they can sustain any type of playoff run. As seen in the first two games where they are on fire, and then go ice cold. Ridiculous ups and downs.  Yes, basketball is a game of runs, but a team that relies heavily on the jump shot it is tough for them to win a series. Russel Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James Harden are able to get to the rim, but they would rather shoot Jumpers. Once you get into the Thunder bench they don't have good depth, and they don't have guys that can create there own shot.

The Mavs need to do a better job of capitalizing when Durant and Westbrook go to the bench. They throw out a second unit of Harden, Fisher, Cook, Collison, and Ibaka or Perkins usally. From that group there is one good NBA player, James Harden. The depth of the Maverick team should either catch up, or pull ahead during these stretches.

Dallas also has done an awful job at the end of games offensively. They try to get to cute at times and outsmart the other team, but it is really simple. When you have one of the two best closers in the game in Dirk Nowitzki you make sure he gets a touch every time down. He doesn't have to shoot every possession but he does need to put pressure on the defense and force them to double team him, and if they don't double, punish them. Isolating Vince Carter hasn't been a good move since 2006 and yes he is a good player and good shooter he isn't who you throw the ball to on consecutive possessions when you have a chance to put the game away with 3 minutes or less. The two man game with Dirk and Jet. with Kidd and Carter spotted up and either Marion or a center to rebound is the most effective way to go. (Watch 2011 playoffs and Finals).


Despite being down 0-2 the Mavs are going home to play games 3 and 4. They will surely make some adjustments as will the Thunder, but now this series isn't about how much more talented the Thunder are. It has become the best match up of the NBA Playoffs first round. Mavs need to get back to the basics and lean on number 41 and let him bring it home like he has in years past.