The Dallas Mavericks hold a 3-2 series lead over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and have a chance to get a shutout at home on Saturday. Fortunately, they employ Kyrie Irving, who is a perfect 13-0 in shutout chances.
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith jumped on board. first take On Friday morning, Smith cited Kyrie Irving as the X-factor for Game 6. “The key is…Kyrie Irving,” Smith said on the air. “I've seen this brother just lurk, but because of who he is and how explosive he is, at some point you feel… 'Enough is enough. Let me remind you all who I am. Not just for a moment during the game, but for the whole game.'' That's what I suspect, if he does that. If there's a moment where you see, it's a moment like this weekend is coming up…I think he's going to do it, I just felt this itch, this feeling…I feel 40 Or 50 (points) from Kyrie. ”
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Considering Irving has only scored 74 total points through five games this series, 40 or 50 points seems ambitious. But he's one of those players who can turn on at any time and score at will. He scored 30 points in Game 6, a close game against the Clippers last season, and 40 points in Game 4, a loss to the Clippers. he can get there.
Irving has had little trouble scoring in this series due to great defense from OKC's Jaylen Williams, averaging just 14.4 PPG and 12.2 FGA per game, well below his regular season averages of 25.6 PPG and 19.5 FGA. There is. He does a great job setting up other players and plays great defense, but Dallas may need him as a scorer in Game 6. He has scored in single digits twice in this series, the first time in the series.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks to a key victory in Game 5 in OKC on Wednesday night with a 30-point triple-double and was signed to an additional contract as he recovers from injury. If Irving can step up and become a leading scorer, it can only be a good thing as it eases the burden on Doncic.
Game 6 will be tipped off at 7pm CST at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
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