2011 WCF: (3) Mavericks vs (4) Thunder

[Fresh8]

I wish I could say Grizzlies in 6

[Dan's Brain]

OKC in 6. They've got answers for all of the Mavericks' strengths. Terry should play well, but I could definitely see Dirk struggling against Perkbaka.

[Killer Crossover aka OG]

I am for the Underdog-Team Thunder, and give my vote for the Thunder-Team, so OKC in 6

Edit: But a final MAVS vs. the Heat would be also great

[atlwarrior]

Either the Thunder mean business or Dallas had too many days off. Still a whole three quarters to go and think Dallas will eventually take over the game.

[NovU]

Westbrook omg. At least pass once before taking ill advised shots. Durant? Durant?

Dirk unstoppable. oMG Why he no choke? Why he no choke?

[hova-]

Funny how Jackson & Van Gundy actually were thinking about the zone defense being a counter for Kevin Durant. It's obvious that the so often called mismatch Jason Kidd vs Russell Westbrook is no mismatch as long as the Mavs play team zone defense like they do.

Further, the Thunder lack scoring options imho, while the Mavs bench can put points on the table.

What really favors the Thunder is that they have good perimetre defenders who rotate well when the Mavs move the ball around. At the beginning, the Thunder's team D was really good.

[atlwarrior]

Durant on Dirk should be interesting.

[hova-]

Refs did not want to see it I guess, two really picky fouls on Durant guarding Dirk.

[NovU]

Durant on Dirk should be interesting.

Dirk winz...

Nobody from Thunder seems to have an answer for Dirk at the moment. Good job on Mavericks end, getting him the ball tonight.

[NovU]

Many of fouls called on Dirk's defenders are joke calls. Mav fans shouldn't whine about Wade in the 2006 finals.

[hova-]

Many of fouls called on Dirk's defenders are joke calls. Mav fans shouldn't whine about Wade in the 2006 finals.

Okay - about four calls were bad - Dwyane Wade went to the line about 19 times per game in these Finals. --> don't overreact

btw: for me it's like the usual star treatment, Durant is getting those calls, too.

[NovU]

The refs seem to be protecting Dirk. Anything defenders tried were fouls. Last 3 point play was bit funky too. The refs pretty much got rid of anyone who could defend Dirk early in the game. Gonna watch the replay again probably just to see how the calls went, but so far I get the feeling that it favored Dirk way bit too much.

Btw, just 4?

[hova-]

Yeah, like 4 I guess. Sefoloshas last two fouls weren't real fouls and those two quick fouls on Durant weren't either.

The fouls on Ibaka were quite obvious and Collison was hugging Dirk at times.

[NovU]

Whatever...

The record game for Dirk at free throw line atm. Dallas takes this one easy.

[Justine.]

Dirk is like shooting for 50 or more.

[hova-]

Nah, don't get me wrong, I completely agree with you and also with Jackson & Van Gundy saying that the refs should give the defender a real chance of guarding Dirk.

Right now, he's getting almost every call which is also because the refs are calling a lot of fouls on both sides. Like 25 for each team right now. There are just too many foul calls in this game and definitely too many on the defenders of Dirk.

But I also hated three of four calls on Chandler as Westbrook was simply driving into his body with the ball being blocked clean.

[NovU]

True that. Regardless, this was Mav's game imo. OKC collapsed in the second already when they gave up the lead.

Edit: Robinson? Barea eats him alive. He's just a nightmare against smaller guards.

[Phil89]

Not quite over yet. 5 point margin with just under 4 minutes left.

[atlwarrior]

Dirk 20-20 ft and Durant 18-19 ft. Both teams are getting the whistle. Surprisingly OKC has made and took more. Too many whistles.

[NovU]

OKC had their chance but let it slip. But still an OK game for OKC I'd say. Despite Mavs shooting lights out, somehow they stayed in the game. Looking forward to the game 2 now. This series offers a lot of fun match ups.

[benji]

Surprisingly OKC has made and took more.

Why would that be a surprise?

[Abctest123]

Dirk absolutely ON FIRE.

[kibaxx7]

Both Durant and Dirk over 40 points

And Dirk enters playoff history -- most FTs without misses, 24/24.

[atlwarrior]

Surprisingly OKC has made and took more.

Why would that be a surprise?

Idk It seemed Dallas was getting all of the whistles but it was really just Dirk I guess.

Edit: Westbrook was not himself. Great game though Terry and Barea deserve some credit too for hitting some big shots down the stretch.

[benji]

Oh, I thought you meant that it was surprising that the Thunder get to the line a ton and make em. Best in the league at it: http://bkref.com/tiny/jLtOO Almost entirely because of Durant and Westbrook.