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

mademan · Post #201 » by **mademan** » Mon May 6, 2024 5:52 pm

If Luka aint right, i got OKC in 5 or 6. If he's playing at the level thats expected of him, i got Dallas in 6

advent11 · Post #202 » by **advent11** » Mon May 6, 2024 6:06 pm

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ChipotleWest · Post #203 » by **ChipotleWest** » Mon May 6, 2024 6:13 pm

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Post #204 » by **Texas Chuck** » Mon May 6, 2024 6:56 pm

Derek Lively is one mature one and done rookie. I mean this young man is super impressive. Glad he's finding some support with the loss of his mother.

dirkforpres · Post #205 » by **dirkforpres** » Mon May 6, 2024 7:55 pm

Not having Maxi will hurt, but I think they can probably just ramp up Lively's minutes and maybe sprinkle in some extra Green and PJ minutes too and be fine.

It ultimately comes down to Luka's health and Hardaway's shooting. If they're both playing well, Im going Dallas in 6... If not, ill say OKC in 7

Post #206 » by **Texas Chuck** » Mon May 6, 2024 8:06 pm

advent11 wrote:

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Game Changer!

Seriously though it helps to have another body for Kidd to try. And while he's been shooting poorly the 2nd half of the season, he's also capable of a 5 or 6 3-pter game. Might come in handy to steal a game. And if he's not contributing, he gets the Exum/Green short leash.

But if they could get Luka even down to 42 minutes without the offense completely dying it would be nice. As great as Kyrie has been especially in 2nd halves, he's needed Luka on the court to open it up.

Post #207 » by **ThunderBolt** » Mon May 6, 2024 8:13 pm

advent11 wrote:
dygaction wrote:Would rather betting on OMax breakout than Kieff and DP...

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This is bad news.

Agreed. Kidd should at least get the name of his opponet correct.

stuporman · Post #208 » by **stuporman** » Mon May 6, 2024 8:31 pm

I'd say a hobbled Luka is a big deal for the Mavs but I just watched a one legged Embiid almost carry the Sixers past the Knicks.

So for Luka who doesn't rely on supreme athleticism to make plays but relies on his skill and craftiness plus is clutch late in games unlike the other example is why I wouldn't be surprised he still does some amazing things this series.

That being said OKC is really, really good so I have a hard time picking against them even though the Mavs make this a series.

MrGoat · Post #209 » by **MrGoat** » Mon May 6, 2024 8:52 pm

dygaction wrote:Would rather betting on OMax breakout than Kieff and DP...

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Tim Hardaway Jr. returning might be more damaging than losing Maxi. He was already in a two month shooting slump before coming back and now needing to shake the rust off. Defensive liability, too.

PJ and DJJ will just have to play the PF minutes Maxi normally would, Gafford and Lively pretty much played all of the minutes at the 5 in the last two games of the Clippers series anyway so that's when the Mavs are at their best anyway. DJJ sliding up to the 4 more means either more Green, or *gulp* Hardaway

If he does get hot he can win you a game, though

dygaction · Post #210 » by **dygaction** » Mon May 6, 2024 8:54 pm

MrGoat wrote:
dygaction wrote:Would rather betting on OMax breakout than Kieff and DP...

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Tim Hardaway Jr. returning might be more damaging than losing Maxi. He was already in a two month shooting slump before coming back and now needing to shake the rust off. Defensive liability, too.

THJ in playoffs is a schrodinger's cat, does not matter the previous games, even previous quarter. Good thing is he is not afraid of the moment, bad thing is that sometimes that is his only good thing.

Edrees · Post #211 » by **Edrees** » Mon May 6, 2024 10:46 pm

Mavericks in 7

sfernald · Post #212 » by **sfernald** » Tue May 7, 2024 2:42 am

If tomorrow’s gonna go anything like tonight’s Nug game, prepare for zero calls whatsoever in the game. Basically Rugby with a basketball.

MrGoat · Post #213 » by **MrGoat** » Tue May 7, 2024 5:18 am

sfernald wrote:If tomorrow’s gonna go anything like tonight’s Nug game, prepare for zero calls whatsoever in the game. Basically Rugby with a basketball.

If it's fair and consistent both ways, that's one thing. If it's like Knicks-Pacers game 1 that's another thing

ChipotleWest · Post #214 » by **ChipotleWest** » Tue May 7, 2024 5:32 am

I hope the refs whistles don't work tomorrow as that favors the Mavs. We're the more physical team overall if the refs are going to call every little thing in OKC's favor that's trouble for us.

Gregoire · Post #215 » by **Gregoire** » Tue May 7, 2024 7:14 am

OKC in 7

MassimoPayne · Post #216 » by **MassimoPayne** » Tue May 7, 2024 7:46 am

I am not worried about THJ shooting, I am worried about his defense.
THJ is in a shooting slump but at least he tries - a lot our players are not even trying.
I think his defense is more concerning

juanc · Post #217 » by **juanc** » Tue May 7, 2024 8:52 am

Texas Chuck wrote:Derek Lively is one mature one and done rookie. I mean this young man is super impressive. Glad he's finding some support with the loss of his mother.

ChipotleWest wrote:

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Read on Twitter

Mr B · Post #218 » by **Mr B** » Tue May 7, 2024 11:55 am

sfernald wrote:If tomorrow’s gonna go anything like tonight’s Nug game, prepare for zero calls whatsoever in the game. Basically Rugby with a basketball.

If that’s true that would seem to benefit the Mavs more considering they’re a much bigger team.

Mr B · Post #219 » by **Mr B** » Tue May 7, 2024 11:58 am

I still expect the see the Mavs force Giddy and Lu Dort to beat them with their shooting. Also I really think the Mavs front court is going to be too much for the OKC to handle on the boards.

Post #220 » by **Dirk** » Tue May 7, 2024 12:08 pm

First Maxi being out and then coach randomly getting extended for no good reason... has deflated me significantly. Need a good game to get an injury jolt.

Who wins and goes to the WCFs?