The Oklahoma City Thunder face an uphill battle as they head to Dallas for a do-or-die Game 6 in their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Mavericks. Despite boasting the league’s best record during the regular season, OKC’s offense has sputtered against a determined Dallas defense. Here’s a breakdown of why the Thunder should be concerned:
Cold Shooting From Deep: The Thunder’s identity throughout the season was their sharpshooting. They led the league in three-point percentage at a sizzling 38.9%. However, that magic has vanished in the playoffs. Against the Mavericks, OKC has connected on a dismal 32.7% of their threes. This cold streak has severely limited their offensive output and made them one-dimensional.
Emergence of Dallas’ Supporting Cast: The Thunder’s defensive strategy has rightly focused on containing superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. However, this has opened the door for Dallas’ role players to shine. P.J. Washington has emerged as a scoring threat, averaging nearly 20 points per game on blistering shooting efficiency. Even when Washington struggled in Game 5, Derrick Jones Jr. stepped up with a career-high 19 points. The Mavericks’ depth is proving to be a major advantage.
Size Disadvantage: The Mavericks boast a formidable center duo in Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Their size has caused problems for OKC on both ends of the court. Offensively, they’ve bullied their way inside for easy buckets. Defensively, they’ve clogged the paint and limited the Thunder’s attack at the rim. OKC’s shooting struggles haven’t helped matters, as they’re converting at a much lower clip inside the arc compared to the regular season.
Experience Gap: The Thunder are a young team, the youngest ever to earn a No. 1 seed. This lack of playoff experience might be a factor in their struggles. The Mavericks, on the other hand, are a seasoned group that knows how to adjust and respond to adversity. After dropping Game 1 of the series, Dallas has rattled off three wins in the last four games. They’ll look to close things out on their home court in Game 6.
Prediction: Dallas Mavericks 112, Oklahoma City Thunder 99
The Thunder’s offensive woes and the emergence of Dallas’ supporting cast have shifted the momentum in the Mavericks’ favor. While OKC is capable of a desperate push, overcoming their shooting struggles and navigating the Mavericks’ size and experience will be a tall order.
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