OKLAHOMA CITY — The Dallas Mavericks head into Game 5 of their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, relying on a tough defense that executes at a high level, but getting offensive parity from superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. I haven't had any impact yet.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 34 points in Game 4 individually topped Doncic and Irving's combined score of just 27 points. Both Dallas superstars combined to shoot just 10-31 (32.3%) from the floor and 2-11 from beyond the arc, while Gilgeous-Alexander was hit multiple times on the downfield. I was comfortably reaching the short distance spot for pull-up jumpers. The Mavericks led by 14 points at one point, but lost 100-96.
Game 4 was the most extreme, but the Mavericks' offensive struggles were an issue throughout the series. Doncic averaged 22.0 points and 7.8 assists with 4.3 turnovers per game while shooting 39.0% from the field and 31.0% from the perimeter. Irving, on the other hand, has become more efficient, but his scoring average has dropped to 15.0 points per game, shooting 46.0 percent overall and 35.7 percent from deep.
Doncic and Irving compete fiercely on defense, and Irving's ball pressure against the top options has even proven to be the difference-maker in key moments this postseason. It doesn't diminish your role in playing hard and influencing the game beyond scoring, but it does make the game simpler at times. That means the best players need to put the ball in the hoop at a high rate.
The goal of building a team that sacrifices shooting in favor of defensive impact was done with the trust of receiving superstar offensive impact from two of the most talented offensive players in the NBA. . It has to come true somehow.
P.J. Washington averaged 11.3 shots per game and shot 50.0% from deep, scoring 25.7 points per game and leading Dallas in scoring for the third straight game. He answered that call by stepping up beyond reasonable expectations. It remains to be seen how long that impact will last, especially now that the company has had strong results for four consecutive years.
The theme for Doncic and Irving was to make the right basketball plays, rather than forcing problems on multiple defenders or settling for results. The Thunder prioritize loading the paint, nullifying rim roll, and daring weaker shooters to fly. Once again, this approach wasn't enough for a team that took uncharacteristically hard shots from Washington.
“With the two of us driving, almost five of us would ruin the paint. That was tough for us,” Doncic said. “We have to find open teammates.”
Doncic hasn't been able to make consistent step-back 3-point shots throughout the postseason, as he's battled a sprained right knee and more recently soreness in his left ankle. He was very efficient when finishing at the rim, but the amount of attempts was not very high considering the opponent's defensive strategy. Typically, he can look to create short-range shots, whether it's a turnaround or a one-legged jumper, but he's had mixed results. To make matters worse, his floater touch was way off compared to his normal form.
The simple high pick-and-roll and isolation approach that Doncic has to attack the painted paint has had great success when step-back 3-point looks are down. Until that happens, more creativity will be required. If the Mavericks go back to square one and take some time to get creative by design, it will be time to roll out some extra set pieces and action in Game 5.
“They're superstars,” Washington said of Doncic and Irving. “They'll figure it out. I'm not worried about them at all. OKC will do a lot of things like doubles, forcing contested shots, trying to make everything tough for them. They did a great job just throwing it at them.”
Irving typically picks his spot and moves the ball when he draws two defenders. The Thunder effectively dialed up these coverages, knowing he would be patient when sharing the floor with Doncic. They actively signal Irving to get off the ball as he runs through the bench group, making it difficult for him to take control of the game. Either way, it's unacceptable to let one of the NBA's most talented offensive players be so comfortably neutralized in a series. He has scored in single digits in two of his four games and is averaging just 15.0 points entering Wednesday's game.
“We're making the right basketball plays right now. Every time I go off the screen I see three guys in front of the ball and I'm almost shocked and tell them to get off the ball with Luka. “It's like I'm doing it,” Irving said. . “That's what they're telling Luke.” [the same], continues to be attached to his body, continues to be aggressive, and continues to be physical. So in the middle of a playoff series semifinal, things are going to look a little different than the regular season. ”
“The important thing for us is just picking the right spots, staying aggressive and making sure we play off each other well,” Irving said. We have opportunities for ourselves, and the team is following us for the most part. ”
Irving's assessment is accurate, there's no doubt about it. The problem, however, is that the Mavericks' offense continues to use a mostly regular-season approach in the postseason, even though they need a superstar to help them get through the situation. Win or lose, Dallas can't afford to see a superstar doing the “little things” as a spiritual victory. At some point, the best players in the game that aren't up to that standard will catch up with the team. The Mavericks will face a revitalized Thunder team and a home crowd that feels like a trip to the Western Conference Finals is within reach in Game 5 on the road, and they risk it if they don't capitalize on the opportunity. You will have to face it.
The Mavericks had Irving play off ball screens early in Game 4, resulting in more finishing attempts that favor play finishers, but only to a limit. The Mavericks are mostly standard, with the Mavericks deploying horn sets, using double drag screens, switching to more zoom action, and sometimes deploying superstar two-man games, posting Through a seven-game series that turned into running deviations, opponents are able to adapt naturally. Raise Doncic. These are already highly considered solutions, and often the solutions are limited to simply calling the shot.
The Mavericks had a chance to win despite everything they faced with the added difficulty of playing against a Thunder team looking to avoid facing a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. He only scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, giving up a double-digit lead, but Gilgeous-Alexander had no answer until the end, allowing role players to hit timely 3-point shots and his free throw shooting was inconsistent. It was a disappointing final shot. . Not limiting turnovers was certainly an issue after allowing 19 points on 14 turnovers, but Dallas missed 11 free throws while losing by four points, hitting an “unacceptable” 52.2%. The rate was recorded.
“Just working on my free throws. I shot 52 percent,” Doncic said. “That's not acceptable.”
The Mavericks are not panicking, and Irving's message after Game 4 continues to be a theme of “just stay calm.” His leadership has proven to be influential throughout the ups and downs that Dallas has experienced throughout his time with the organization.
“I have to give credit to my teammates. They've taken Luka as well as me in this series so far,” Irving said. Are we going to be a group that overcomes difficulties, or are we going to be a group that looks back, looks at his OKC, and lives with the “coulda, shoulda'' mentality.
“We know the position we are in and we are serious about it, and I am serious about it. And we must remain calm and peaceful throughout this situation. No need.”
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