NBA Playoffs 2011: Dallas Mavericks vs. OKC Thunder Post-Game 1 Reaction
In a game where superstars did not disappoint (cutting you some slack here Russell Westbrook), the Dallas Mavericks were able to make enough plays to draw first blood against the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
This was truly an interesting game. Both teams were as aggressive as they could be which led to a ridiculous amount of foul shots taken.
Even though the score would indicate a shootout, there was still good defense played and enough gritty plays to spice up the game.
Lets take a closer look at what went down in Dallas in Game 1 between the Mavericks and the Thunder.
Russell Westbrook Struggled
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Russell Westbrook has been up and down in the post-season this year. Some nights he looks like the team’s first option offensively, but other nights he just is just plain ineffective. This was one of the latter nights.
In over 38 minutes, Westbrook went 3-15 from the field for 20 points and 4 turnovers. He did not do much more across the board.
Westbrook did do a nice job getting to the line, although many of the fouls called against him were debatable as he constantly went into the lane out of control just to get bailed out by the referees.
It will be interesting to see how Westbrook bounces back in Game 2 as his productivity will be integral to the team’s hopes of challenging the Mavericks.
Three-Point Shooting
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The Mavericks came into Game 1 red hot from the three-point line. In their closeout game against the Lakers, they nailed 20 three-pointers to tie an NBA playoff record.
In game 1, the Mavericks started slow but heated up to finish with nine three-pointers and shooting close to 40 percent.
On the other hand, the Thunder shot the three ball particularly well, but were not looking for them for most of the night. Most of their makes came in late in the shot clock on broken plays.
Dallas has a clear advantage from beyond the arc in this series. In Game 1, that advantage was not very clear. If Dallas is able to exploit this area against the Thunder, the rest of the series won’t be as close as Game 1 was (and it was not very close).
Foul Trouble
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Both clubs were even in fouls committed and did a solid job making their free throws. The difference was how the fouls were called. While the Thunder had their way getting to the line, that’s something the Mavericks can work on. The Thunder have no answer to prevent Dirk Nowitzki from destroying them.
What is interesting about Nowitzki is that he is commonly labeled as soft and lacking of a killer instinct.
Looks are very deceiving and Dirk as a prime example. He is a ninja assassin. He picks defenders apart silently and before you know it, you are crippled and begging for your life.
Dirk was in full control of the paint in Game 1. Yes, he did not score in the paint much, but he absolutely owned any defender that dared to face him near the rim. It was obvious from the look on Perkins, Ibaka, Sefelosha and even Durant himself that they were scared out of their minds every time Dirk went at them one-on-one.
Dirk racked up foul after foul on ever defender that the Thunder threw at him and quickly depleted the Thunder’s bench.
Bench Production
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Once again, the Mavericks bench went for over 50 points in a game. Jason Terry and Jose Barea led the reserves with 45 points.
Even on a night were Peja Stojakovic went 1-8 from the field, the Mavericks bench looked just as dominant as their starting five.
For the Thunder, their bench was solid. Nick Collison pounded the offensive glass and James Harden had several good plays. Daequan Cook also provided some firepower off the bench.
Although both benches were solid, the Maverick’s are just absolutely better. This is not a fair fight for the Thunder, and as the series goes on it will be even more lopsided.
Dirk Nowitzki vs Kevin Durant
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What a performance by two amazing players in Kevin Durant and Dirk Nowitzki.
Both captains put on an amazing show throughout the entire night. They combined for almost 90 points and shot an incredibly efficient percentage from the floor and the stripe.
At the end of the day, Nowitzki got the last laugh. His performance was so amazing it made it hard for anyone to speak about Durant’s career night of his own.
Nowitzki finished with 48 points on just 15 shots and set an NBA record by going 24-24 from the free-throw line.
Durant went for 40 points and his share of stats across the board, but he did not come near to Dirk’s dominating performance.
Looking Ahead
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While Dirk might not have another night like this, it would be intelligent to say that Durant might not either. The clue to the series is how poised and effective Russell Westbrook can be.
The showing in Game 1 showed how the Mavericks were no fluke against the defending champions and how they are as ready as they can to put yet another team against the wall.
Dallas experience will deteriorate the Thunder’s youth and the ninja assassin will continue to dismantle the Thunder’s defense. The Mavericks bench will continue to provide enough production to make up for any bad night any starter might have.
This series will be very interesting and a lot of fun, but the Thunder have no chance. Fans of both clubs will be have a great time watching these teams go down to the wire, but the Mavericks will finish this team up with ease.
A sweep is very likely in this series, but Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will find a way to win a game at home.
The Mavericks will win this series in four or five games.
