Dirk Nowitzki put on an incredible offensive performance in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. With eight days rest between their Laker series and the opening game of the Finals the Mavericks were well rested and well prepared. The Mavs shot the ball extremely well (39-73) 53.6% from the field, got to the foul line 34 times and received superior play from its bench. The Mavericks bench outscored the Thunder bench 53-22. Jason Terry (24 points) and JJ Barea (21 points) were too much for the Thunder to combat.
The Thunder should look at Game 1 as the glass half full. With all the things that went the Mavericks way: the Mavs scoring 121 points, the Mavs shooting 53.6% from the field, Nowitzki’s 48 points, the 53 bench points of the Mavs, a subpar game by Russell Westbrook, the Thunder found themselves only down 108-102 with 2:53 left in the fourth quarter.
The Thunder had only one day to prepare for the Mavericks after winning Game 7 versus the Grizzlies on Sunday. Hopefully after reviewing the video they will come up with some more answers regarding their overall defense, their defense of Dirk Nowitzki, and a better performance from their point guard Russell Westbrook. In addition the Thunder must find some way to combat the bench of the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2.
The Thunder should look at Game 1 as the glass half full. With all the things that went the Mavericks way: the Mavs scoring 121 points, the Mavs shooting 53.6% from the field, Nowitzki’s 48 points, the 53 bench points of the Mavs, a subpar game by Russell Westbrook, the Thunder found themselves only down 108-102 with 2:53 left in the fourth quarter.
The Thunder had only one day to prepare for the Mavericks after winning Game 7 versus the Grizzlies on Sunday. Hopefully after reviewing the video they will come up with some more answers regarding their overall defense, their defense of Dirk Nowitzki, and a better performance from their point guard Russell Westbrook. In addition the Thunder must find some way to combat the bench of the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2.
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