NBA Playoffs 2011: Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder Game 3 Post-Game Reaction

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.  The final score was close, but it does not tell the whole story whatsoever.

At times, the game looked monotonous as Dallas kept punishing the Thunder on both ends of the court.  Other times, the arena was ridiculously loud as the Thunder made a run to stay in the game.

For most of the night, the Mavericks dominated the young Thunder.  In the last few minutes, things got interesting, but it was not enough to turn the game around.

Here are a few factors that were critical in Game 3.

Dirk Nowitzki

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 21: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts in the fourth quarter while taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Oklahoma City Arena on May 21, 201

Dirk Nowitzki came into game three scoring 38.5 points per game on average on over 65 percent shooting.  He was not even close to those numbers in Game 3.

Dirk struggled to get into any sort of rhythm all night.  His jump shot was not falling early and he was unable to get to the line at all.  The Thunder did a good job defending him, although at times it seemed Dirk couldn’t buy a call (more on that later).

Although it was ugly for Dirk for three quarters, the Big German came through big in the fourth quarter.  Dirk scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, two more than he did in the previous three.  He held off the Thunder almost single-handedly in the last few minutes and gave the Mavericks the lift they needed to win the game.

Bench Production

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 21: James Harden #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes up for a shot against Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Oklahoma City

The Thunder bench was the defining factor in the outcome of Game 2.  In Game 3, they looked like a whole different group.

Only two Thunder subs scored the ball for a total of 16 points.  James Harden played over 35 minutes but was unable to get going.

The Dallas Mavericks bench did not play as well as they have been playing all year.  They did score a solid 28 points and provided enough spark to contain the Thunder from coming back to striking distance, but they were far from efficient.

Both teams need to figure out a way to get more production off the bench in Game 4, especially if their stars are having off nights.

Defense!

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 21: Tyson Chandler #6 of the Dallas Mavericks looks at the ball in the third quarter while taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Oklahoma City Arena on M

Finally, as Coach Rick Carlisle said, the Mavericks played championship level defense.  Allowing the Thunder to score over 100 points per game is not something that will get the Mavericks four victories.

The Mavericks were able to contain Kevin Durant and force him into an even worse night than the one Dirk Nowitzki had.  The same goes for Russell Westbrook, who was forced into seven turnovers.

Perhaps the most important defensive stand for the Mavericks was the way they were able to shut down James Harden.  Harden had a huge Game 2 and led the Thunder bench to a big victory.

Looking at the stat sheet, one might try and devalue the Mavericks defense based on giving up 36 free throws (more on that later).  Even with all the free throws taken, the defense was able to limit everything else on the floor.

The Thunder did play better defense that what they played in the first two games, especially on Dirk Nowitzki.  The Thunder bigs forced Dirk into seven turnovers and only 7-21 shooting.

Free-Throw Disparity

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder points in the third quarter while taking on the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Oklahoma City Arena on May 21, 2

This is something that will (hopefully) become a hot topic once NBA analysts start breaking down Game 3.  There is no way the Mavericks and Thunder will see another difference in foul shots close to 20, and there shouldn't be.

If the last six free throws coming off intentional fouls are not counted, the final count was 36 free throws for the Thunder and only 12 for the Mavericks.  Any Mavericks fan should be enraged at this statistic.

The Mavericks were just as aggressive as the Thunder and got no calls all game long.  On the other end, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant got every single call they wanted, including several they did not deserve.

Dirk Nowitzki was unable to get into a grove, especially because of the defense played on him by Nick Collison and Serge Ibaka.  While much credit goes to these two Thunder big men, they pushed and shoved Dirk more than any Mavericks player pushed and shoved any Thunder player.

The Mavericks were able to use their amazing defense to help the free-throw situation, but the game should have not been that close.

It will be interesting to see how Game 4 is officiated.