The Oklahoma City Thunder had time to watch the Dallas Mavericks take on the Los Angeles Clippers in a series to determine their second-round opponent. After their blowout win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Thunder got a chance to watch both teams play. In the end, the Mavericks defeated the Clippers in six games.
The series begins Tuesday with the Thunder and Mavericks meeting in the second round. This battle is expected to feature star players, and the Mavericks have Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who will be a force to be reckoned with for the Thunder's defense. Fortunately for Oklahoma City, they have great on-ball defenders in Lou Dort and Kayson Wallace, and a great team of defenders around them.
Still, Dort will be tasked with guarding Doncic throughout the seven-game series, a challenge he's up for. Dort talked about playing against Doncic during Sunday's practice.
“[Luka Doncic is] Great player. He is very capable of creating shots. Dort explained, “He's going to make a lot of tough shots. The ball is going to be in his hands a lot, so my No. 1 objective is to make everything tough.”
How Doncic and Irving are used will be a focus for the Thunder. Everything runs through these two stars, so it will be important for Dort and the rest of the defense to shut them down, which is an impossible task.
One of Doncic's best traits is drawing fouls after playing tight defense, exposing defenders. Dort knows that and will be gearing up for his first contest.
“He's good at that,” Dort said. “Drawing fouls and things like that. Every time he gets in his position, I have to be aware of that.”
A fight between Doncic and Dort would make for an incredible spectacle. One of the league's best scorers and offensive players and one of the league's top perimeter defenders is poised to be a great matchup.
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