Game 2 will take place in what Kendrick Perkins calls “Brick City.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of their second round series. The Thunder won Game 1 comfortably, taking a 2-0 lead and looking to build even more momentum against the Mavericks.
You have to assume the Mavericks will make some major adjustments after the Thunder opened the series with a 117-95 win.
Still, on their home floor, the Thunder will give Dallas a tough fight with the backing of a great home crowd.
Luka Doncic's injury is obviously slowing him and the Mavericks down, but they can't afford to sit him out and let his knee heal.
Thunder:
There are no injuries to report.
Heretic:
Possibly Luka Doncic (knee)
Maxi Kleber, OUT (shoulder)
Olivier Maxence Prosper, OUT (ankle)
The Mavericks are already short on players after Maxi Kleber suffered a nasty fall in the first round of the playoffs. Luka Doncic was also beaten hard late in the regular season and in the first round. He wasn't feeling well until the first round and is also suffering from his knee injury.
This is the second straight game in which Doncic has been listed as likely to play. He'll probably suit up again on the court. Unless there's a chance he suffers a career-ending injury, he'll play. The Mavericks can't afford to sit him.
Still, Doncic's injury clearly affected the Mavericks, as the Thunder easily won Game 1.
The Thunder won the first game by a large margin and will enter the second game as favorites with a 5.5 point difference. They opened as 4.5 point favorites. It's no wonder oddsmakers swung the spread in the Thunder's favor for Game 2 of the series. Doncic's injury has affected the Mavericks, preventing him from playing at his full potential.
It will be interesting to see what adjustments both sides will make for the second match, and how those adjustments will change the outcome of the match.
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