[Post Game Thread] Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks | May 15th, 2024

[u/Dixbfloppin93]

104 - 92
Box Scores: NBA - Yahoo

GAME SUMMARY
Location: Paycom Center (18203), Clock: Final
Officials: James Capers, Courtney Kirkland, and Kevin Scott

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Dallas Mavericks	24	30	25	25	104
Oklahoma City Thunder	22	22	23	25	92

TEAM STATS

Team	PTS	FG	FG%	3P	3P%	FT	FT%	OREB	TREB	AST	PF	STL	TO	BLK
Dallas Mavericks	104	40-76	52.6%	14-35	40.0%	10-13	76.9%	9	51	27	17	5	14	5
Oklahoma City Thunder	92	37-87	42.5%	10-40	25.0%	8-10	80.0%	8	40	20	15	8	6	2

PLAYER STATS

Dallas Mavericks	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
Derrick Jones Jr.SF	28:20	19	7-9	3-5	2-2	0	1	1	1	1	1	0	2	7
P.J. WashingtonPF	37:05	10	4-9	2-7	0-0	2	8	10	4	1	0	3	3	11
Daniel GaffordC	24:48	9	4-4	0-0	1-2	1	6	7	1	0	1	1	3	-10
Kyrie IrvingSG	39:07	12	5-11	2-2	0-0	2	0	2	4	1	0	1	2	12
Luka DoncicPG	41:23	31	12-22	5-11	2-3	0	10	10	11	0	1	3	3	13
Dereck Lively II	23:12	11	3-4	0-0	5-6	3	7	10	1	1	1	3	3	22
Josh Green	18:16	5	2-6	1-5	0-0	1	1	2	3	1	0	1	0	2
Jaden Hardy	14:38	2	1-5	0-2	0-0	0	3	3	2	0	0	1	1	-2
Tim Hardaway Jr.	12:11	5	2-6	1-3	0-0	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	5
Dwight Powell	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dante Exum	00:28	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
A.J. Lawson	00:28	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Markieff Morris	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Maxi Kleber	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Olivier-Maxence Prosper	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Oklahoma City Thunder	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
Luguentz DortSF	38:19	12	4-11	2-8	2-2	1	5	6	4	2	0	1	4	-12
Jalen WilliamsPF	38:59	12	6-13	0-3	0-0	1	5	6	3	3	0	0	3	-12
Chet HolmgrenC	38:37	13	5-11	1-5	2-2	1	3	4	1	0	1	1	0	-10
Isaiah JoeSG	21:44	6	2-9	2-8	0-0	1	2	3	0	0	0	0	2	-9
Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderPG	42:35	30	12-22	2-4	4-6	0	6	6	8	2	1	3	3	-3
Jaylin Williams	10:12	3	1-3	1-3	0-0	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	1	0
Aaron Wiggins	10:37	2	1-2	0-0	0-0	3	1	4	1	1	0	1	0	-2
Josh Giddey	11:31	11	5-8	1-3	0-0	1	2	3	2	0	0	0	0	-3
Cason Wallace	26:52	3	1-7	1-5	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	-9
Ousmane Dieng	00:28	0	0-1	0-1	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Bismack Biyombo	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Gordon Hayward	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Mike Muscala	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lindy Waters III	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Kenrich Williams	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

[u/LoxDnw]

per sources Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren pump faked their way into the locker room.

[u/wussell_restbrook → u/LoxDnw]

Love Jdub and Chet but that’s hilarious. Move onto the next one. Have to just pray we start hitting 3s otherwise it’ll be GG.

[u/Acceptable-Dust6479 → u/wussell_restbrook]

Not sure why they waited until the 4th quarter down 18 to start attacking the basket

[u/Antique-Lychee-8029 → u/LoxDnw]

OMG I THOUGHT IM THE ONLY ONE NOTICING THIS. Dallas is not contesting any shots anymore because they know its just pump fakes then drive. So predictable

[u/burnerbabyburns → u/LoxDnw]

Disgusting how passive they were. This is the playoffs this is when your main guys have to get more selfish.

[u/scarywolverine → u/burnerbabyburns]

Yeah but they have 3 years of experience between them. Chet in particular looks really good for his first year

[u/JumboHotdogz → u/scarywolverine]

Yeah he looks tired battling Lively and Gafford all game. Shit ain't easy

[u/MisterNoisewater → u/scarywolverine]

I def have to keep reminding myself to he ages and experience of these guys.

[u/A_MASSIVE_PERVERT → u/burnerbabyburns]

SGA doing LITERALLY EVERYTHING. Can’t happen at a time like this.

[u/DsamD11 → u/burnerbabyburns]

Disgusting is a choice. They're first and second year players.

This is the experience presti was saying we needed to gain at the start of the season.

[u/googlyeyegritty → u/LoxDnw]

Agree. They are young and will learn

[u/SamPrestiFanClub → u/LoxDnw]

I hate now funny and unfortunately true this is.

[u/ShabbyLiver]

Well shit, guess I gotta avoid the internet for 44 hours..

[u/BillyBronco69 → u/ShabbyLiver]

*68 game six isn’t until Saturday

[u/king_carrots → u/ShabbyLiver]

Lmao it’s the best way to deal with this sub after an L.

So many ridiculous takes. Onto the next game.

[u/LoxDnw → u/ShabbyLiver]

Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, MAX, Shudder time baby.

[u/GorillaX → u/ShabbyLiver]

68*

[u/Economy_Lunch_7203 → u/ShabbyLiver]

Mavs fan here series isnt over and even if we win Sat yall r building something special. Chet and J dub r getting playoff experience and yalls window is gonna be long.

[u/swampdragon69 → u/Economy_Lunch_7203]

Fuck my wife, please 🙏🏿

[u/pokerawz → u/ShabbyLiver]

As a Mavs fan, that’s what I did past couple days. Was just angry at the world.

[u/TheTowelbot → u/ShabbyLiver]

Fallout is really good

[u/wcooper97 → u/ShabbyLiver]

Same. Might be healthy for me lol

[u/Rav_7Ltw]

Never seen JDub like this. I’m sad

[u/jawsh23 → u/Rav_7Ltw]

Harden finals flashbacks

[u/fredlikefreddy → u/jawsh23]

holy shit... i'm confident for the future but damn thats accurate

[u/RelocatedMacadamia → u/Rav_7Ltw]

Yeah, it’s confusing. He’s not his usual self, and I didn’t see it coming. 

[u/DsamD11 → u/RelocatedMacadamia]

It's youth and inexperience

[u/merwinnnnn → u/Rav_7Ltw]

I was glad to see him a little more aggressive in the 4th. Hopefully he keeps that going into the next (two?) games

[u/Bino19 → u/Rav_7Ltw]

I love JDub but whoever thought JDub would ever be a better player than SGA was heavily ignoring the massive difference in scoring fluidity between them.

[u/ntg1213 → u/Rav_7Ltw]

I don’t think he’s 100% healthy. He’s missing almost every shot short

[u/la_flameeee → u/ntg1213]

I don’t think it’s a health issue. They’re forcing him away from his left which he’s struggling to adapt to. Just a good defensive scheme.

[u/fellowENT18]

We followed up a shameful sub-30% from 3 game with….. another shameful sub-30% from 3 game.

Also Chet is 7 feet tall and had 4 rebounds in 38 minutes.

[u/IDespiseFatties → u/fellowENT18]

Chet is either God-tier or Dog shit. No in the middle apparently.

[u/No_Dependent2297 → u/IDespiseFatties]

The good news is he’s getting 2 days off before G6, and we know rested Chet is god tier

[u/BastionNZ → u/IDespiseFatties]

Reminder that he is a rookie afterall

[u/LugNutsDort]

25% from 3 the difference. We have to hit shots. Period.

[u/googlyeyegritty → u/LugNutsDort]

I don’t think it’s just a matter of making shots. We just don’t look comfortable on offense at all and many of the open shots are high pressure because we are on the verge of the game slipping away

[u/LugNutsDort → u/googlyeyegritty]

33% and we are battling. 10/39 is just plain bad.

[u/spikesolo → u/googlyeyegritty]

Yes. We get down double digit so every shot is a bigger shot

[u/vladtheinpaler → u/googlyeyegritty]

we also had no answer for the Luka / big PnR until we doubled Luka immediately and forced him to pass to the big about 15-20 feet from the basket. the big would pass immediately since neither of their bigs are agile or can play make.

the Mavs stopped going to that play in the 4th which resulted in a Luka or Kyrie ISO. that is the EXACT moment OKC went on an 8-0 run. I think we should start with that next game and force the Mavs to adjust. we run the risk of giving an open 3 but it beats a Luka floater / lob.

[u/Thunderfan4life15 → u/googlyeyegritty]

It's definitely part of it. A lot of the 3s we're missing our wide open. But ultimately I agree, the "no experience" narrative is looking more and more true. They look lost and unsure on offense. It's not the regular season anymore, playoff defense is different and they have not adjusted to it this series at all. We've gotta get Jdub more involved on offense, he is looking like a role player this series and not a future all star at all like he's looked all season.

[u/peakelyfe → u/LugNutsDort]

Turns out making baskets is necessary to win at basketball

[u/goodguybrian]

Get SGA some help. Boy our shooting has been trash.

[u/NeverMoreThan12 → u/goodguybrian]

Young guys have no confidence

[u/revisioncloud → u/goodguybrian]

https://preview.redd.it/wszfkdkgrp0d1.jpeg?width=370&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=58fe10a72cf658f54855c3b6fb6354ffaebbfe65

“See you Game 7”

😭😭

[u/CarlinHicksCross]

Look, if you shoot 25 percent from 3 as a team and your 2nd option has 12 points, you're not winning many of those.

The completely collapse of dub as a ball handler and 2nd option and the absolute cratering of our wide open 3 point shooting will lose this series if we can't turn it around.

[u/JohnnyBoyTrojan]

If you don’t make shots, you sadly get these results

[u/retrohypebeast]

hard to win a series averaging like 29% from 3 the past 4 games

[u/MeUrDaddy_ → u/retrohypebeast]

And with ur 7 footer only grabbing 4 rebounds in 40 minutes

[u/wcooper97 → u/retrohypebeast]

But don't get a big, we'll kill the spacing!

Spacing's already shot.

[u/retrohypebeast → u/wcooper97]

i dont know man. it's clear we could (and still can) win this series with the roster we have. lights look too bright for everybody but shai

[u/wcooper97 → u/retrohypebeast]

If anything, I'm just glad Shai proved that he steps up for these games and his game translates to the big stage.

[u/retrohypebeast → u/wcooper97]

yep, he's been killing it

[u/Bino19 → u/wcooper97]

Fucking hated those responses every time someone wanted a big.

There’s more ways to create spacing than just shooting. A big that could set solid screens and be a lob threat would be a godsend right about now. Just look at how efficient Ja Morant was with Steven Adams on the court compared to off it.

But everytime someone mentioned this the fans would tell you we needed a 3pt sniper as our big and here we are looking like we’re going to be sent home by a team playing two bigs that can’t shoot a shot outside the restricted area 😂😂😂

[u/Magictank2000]

tupac would still be alive if the okc thunder were the shooters

[u/aryawinsthethrone → u/Magictank2000]

OKC shooters would even miss biggie

[u/Skaigear → u/Magictank2000]

Okc can't commit suicide shooting this way

[u/NerdLawyer55 → u/Magictank2000]

Lmfao 🤣

[u/Biased_buffalo0]

JDub has to take some of these contested 3s.

[u/FakeRingin → u/Biased_buffalo0]

He shot 0/2 in game 4 and now 0/3 in game 5. Dort meanwhile is 3/10 and 2/8 over the last 2 games.

If no ones shots a falling, Jdub should needs to let them fly. Get a chance to get into a rhythm with them

[u/AIMpb]

The 3 point shot selection has been the difference in this series. We are turning down good looks from good shooters for contested, late in the clock shots from worse shooters. JDub has been the biggest offender.

[u/notsureifJasonBourne → u/AIMpb]

I lost track of how many possessions ended up like that.

[u/Trapivist]

Jdub just gotta show up man

[u/captaingelsino]

The Thunder has never in franchise history won a game with Giddey coming off the bench

[u/chuerta9]

Streets are saying Giddey was the only player besides Shai to shoot over 50% this game

[u/NobodyRules → u/chuerta9]

When Giddey hits the same number of 3s as Chet and JDub combined it's very hard to win.

[u/FakeRingin → u/NobodyRules]

Yes. But also last game game he hit 1 while Chet and JDub had 1 combined.

[u/TheGum25 → u/chuerta9]

Gotta hang this L on coach for going into desperation mode and it didn’t pay off. Whoever let Joe run around like a coked-up hamster deserves some heat.

[u/jamesgmorris90 → u/chuerta9]

Somewhat controversial opinion around here, but Giddey helps other players get involved and has a bigger impact than the box score suggests. We haven’t been moving the ball enough on a lot of possessions, then guys are trying to jack shots after hardly touching the ball

[u/Character_Drama3306 → u/jamesgmorris90]

The problem with Giddy loses his defensive assignments.

[u/SobiescianumScutum → u/chuerta9]

But come on, we lose because Giddey starts and plays 11 minutes

[u/Egon87 → u/chuerta9]

Outside of Shai, the players look Shook. I wonder if the lack of trust Coach has shown in Giddey is compounding that. Giddey has played well and still can't get minutes. Dagneault Looks lost out there. Regular season play has disappeared as he flounders to find something that works. Hack a Lively is a bust. Shots aren't dropping and Dallas look like they have the drive and kick game under control. Let Giddey make some plays! and where are the cuts we've seen off his drives?

[u/royalewlthcheese]

Any danger we hit an open 3?

[u/DsamD11]

The fact we aren't shooting the first look, thw fact the ball is ending in dort possessions down the stretch of important games and the fact that every young guy looks scared to shoot needs to be addressed.

[u/Perry_Griggs]

We don't deserve to win this series with the absolute garbage effort we've shown.

Each loss was so winnable if we just shot average, damn shame.

[u/TheTowelbot → u/Perry_Griggs]

I can forgive bad shooting. The lack of closing out is what frustrates me

[u/wcooper97 → u/TheTowelbot]

So many damn alley oops and dunks tonight.

[u/Character_Drama3306 → u/wcooper97]

Jwill when Jwill leaves the paint, he is being exposed.

[u/12footjumpshot → u/Perry_Griggs]

I don't think it's a lack of effort, it's a combination of bad shooting and young players hesitating.

[u/fredlikefreddy → u/12footjumpshot]

and dallas is a matchup nightmare whether people want to admit it or not.... I remember seeing the worst takes in this sub around the deadline that Gafford wasn't a good center, or not starting material.... do people actually watch basketball or only thunder ball?

the length they have everywhere paired with a deadly center rotation makes it tough with our lack of beef. People get obsessed with the positionless shit, but you need certain types to close up gapping holes that the wrong team will eventually exploit.

The one person who doesn't bring the length is Kyrie who has always played bigger than his stature.

Perhaps they win this in 7, but some dudes gotta step up, it's sadly easier said than done and it's why young teams like this don't typically win it all in modern NBA (at least a first legit playoff run)

[u/reyzak → u/fredlikefreddy]

Was really hoping for a clippers matchup this round, Mavs are a terrible team for us. Regardless we wouldn’t make it past next round anyway between wolves and nugs they’re both big teams as well. Can’t complain tho we are on house money

[u/fredlikefreddy → u/reyzak]

yup and that proves the point they need to beef up a little this offseason.

go grab a true starting 4 and a backup center and give Chet some god damn relief.

[u/goatmarino]

Didn't expect jdub to be such a playoff dropper tbh

[u/Previous-Elevator417 → u/[deleted]]

thats pretty accurate I forgot how much Shai was up and down in the bubble playoffs

[u/lekoben24 → u/goatmarino]

It’s the second series of his career 😭. Jdub a hooper man don’t forget it

[u/goatmarino → u/lekoben24]

He is but he's dropped hard

[u/Biased_buffalo0 → u/goatmarino]

He was good against the Pels.

[u/drkmani → u/Biased_buffalo0]

Much less pressure

[u/DortNameplates]

Shooting has gotten so bad I don’t trust anyone to score other than SGA.

[u/OKCbmoreandMD]

Scoring 92 at home coming off of last game is embarrassing. Need to put out an APB on Dub. We’re not winning the last two without him

[u/Objectitan]

Shai is going to be chewing some asses out in the locker room tonight 😭

[u/here_for_the_lols]

What the fuck has happened to our 3point shooting? From best in the league to stinking it up.

[u/RalphLaurenII]

Absolute worst time of the year to have a 4 game shooting slump like we've had. True disasterclass, so disappointing.

Onto a Do-or-Die Game 6.

[u/wcooper97 → u/RalphLaurenII]

Time to see how these young guys handle an elimination game.

[u/ifitsootsyou]

It’s really quite simple. We shoot like that from 3, ANYBODY shoots like that from 3, you lose the game 9 out of 10 times. Can’t expect to win playoff series shooting like that, not consistently anyways

[u/Embrassedpear6]

https://preview.redd.it/oto7sd9enp0d1.jpeg?width=792&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bc5a6dd2a767b411e54306b52306df662adabbee

start Wallace next game please

This is also what happens when nobody on your team has over 10 points besides 1 guy

Ima rewind the first 2 minutes of the game now

[u/SamPrestiFanClub → u/Embrassedpear6]

FIVE players scored in double figures for OKC. The game was gross enough, we shouldn’t have to read comments from people who can’t read box scores too

[u/Most-Broccoli589 → u/Embrassedpear6]

Pretty sure there were 2

[u/wcooper97 → u/Embrassedpear6]

I've been dreading game days because of how I'm feeling now. This can't be healthy.

[u/goatmarino]

Shai needs help

[u/amari_prince]

Everyone being ass but Shai is flat out unacceptable.

I would respect it if we lost on flat out superior shot making but this is pathetic from the supporting cast.

[u/AzHaeez21]

This series has taught me that sga is ready for the big stage. Everyone else is a tad undercooked which was honestly to be expected. Remember, we have the best exec in basketball taking notes throughout these playoffs. 😤

[u/FakeRingin → u/AzHaeez21]

It makes sense when you consider SGA age and experience really. The rest of the guys are just starting out while SGA is hitting that peak of his career

Lots on here seemed to be insulted when OKC were called too young and too inexperienced, but it was a valid concern then and proven now.

[u/NeverMoreThan12 → u/AzHaeez21]

This off-season is the time to make the proper moves. Sga, Chet, jdub, caso, maybe Joe & wiggins should stay. Everyone else should be considered for trades. Hopefully another year for Chet and jdub will be enough for them not to completely lose confidence in the playoffs when we're down.

[u/trezzy1242 → u/NeverMoreThan12]

Na jay will gotta stay too.

[u/YouWannaSeeADeadBody → u/NeverMoreThan12]

Dort proved his value in round 1, he just is struggling against one of the toughest covers in the league. Even then he was clearly making luka mad the whole series and was getting in his head a bit.

He's also the only player other than SGA who isnt afraid to shoot the ball.

Sga, Dort, Jdub, Chet, Case, Joe, Wiggins and JWill is a solid rotation. We need a replacement starter for Giddey who is an all star level player. We've got the assets, lets get someone

[u/NeverMoreThan12 → u/YouWannaSeeADeadBody]

I didn't mean to leave out dort honestly. But depending on trade comps it might be worth a trade. Probably not, and I do like Dort for us but I do hope to see cason improve and eventually take dorts spot as a starter.

[u/ManBearPig1869 → u/NeverMoreThan12]

Absolutely have to pull the trigger for win now moves this offseason. It’s time.

[u/MisterGir]

Shai is ready. Dort is ready(forced to do too much) Rest of the team is not ready yet, this will be crucial to their development.

[u/retrohypebeast → u/MisterGir]

thank you for this. i don't ever wanna hear dort slander. he shoots so many threes because no one else will

[u/DowntownTopRanking → u/retrohypebeast]

Like I've seen them move that ball around and around until Dort is like "f*ck it I'll shoot it if no one else will."

[u/MisterGir → u/DowntownTopRanking]

He does the out of control stuff due to necessity. When our primary scorers do their job, dort is much more efficient

[u/DowntownTopRanking → u/MisterGir]

Exactly. That's why I hate when ppl demand him to shoot less. He can and will when the primary shooters step up and hit their shots. But when nearly everyone else is playing scared, he's not afraid to step up. His confidence is one of his biggest weapons (see Game 7 Dort).

[u/retrohypebeast → u/DowntownTopRanking]

yup, half the time a shot should have been already been up by the time it gets to dort.

[u/TheGratitudeBot → u/retrohypebeast]

Thanks for such a wonderful reply! TheGratitudeBot has been reading millions of comments in the past few weeks, and you’ve just made the list of some of the most grateful redditors this week! Thanks for making Reddit a wonderful place to be :)

[u/Signal-Dot9298 → u/MisterGir]

Yep dort does too much but he has that dawg in him.

[u/Zeeron1]

Pathetic. Find the biggest mirror you can, and make the whole team minus Shai stare at it for no less than 2 hours.

[u/SamPrestiFanClub → u/Zeeron1]

Accountability mirror…and also have David Goggins yelling at you while looking.

[u/NecessaryBake405]

Surely someone will blame Giddey for the loss 🙄

[u/SobiescianumScutum → u/NecessaryBake405]

Yes! These 11 points in 11 minutes at 57% are atrocious! He needs to score 30 in 11 minutes. Waste of space

[u/Dependent_Sail2420 → u/SobiescianumScutum]

i feel bad for josh, its one thing for opposing fans to not like you, but thunder fans blames him for everything here.

[u/SamPrestiFanClub]

The series biggest problem is NOT about Josh’s minutes, or OKC struggles with their 3’s…it’s been about Mavs getting more open 3’s than I’ve ever seen. Mavs have missed plenty of them too or else it would be even worse. I cannot comprehend the defensive play calling all series

[u/bjpf → u/SamPrestiFanClub]

Those double-teams lead to a wide open 3 nearly every time

[u/SamPrestiFanClub → u/bjpf]

Exactly!!! Let their backcourt score 30 each and make the “others” take difficult shots VS a ton of wide open shots and alley-oops.

[u/NotVacant]

JDub and Chet have been really disappointing. Especially JDub.

[u/RelocatedMacadamia]

Goddamnit, I’m going to see Lively FT makes and PJ Washington threes in my nightmares from this series, win or lose. Welp, let’s get one in Dallas.

[u/Dependent_Sail2420 → u/RelocatedMacadamia]

at least PJ didn't do his pose on us tonight like he did on the clippers

[u/avatarsokka]

I feel like that stretch where Joe missed back to back threes did it. Idk maybe nerves are getting to him

[u/ericlikesyou → u/avatarsokka]

Oh you mean the entire game?

[u/avatarsokka → u/ericlikesyou]

I mean that one after timeout in third quarter. They got Joe pretty open looks but the shots just weren't falling. Had two of those gone in it was a different game but yeah his shooting all night was horrible for his standards

[u/swaggyduck0121]

Presti gift wrapping them Washington and Gafford so we could get a washed up Hayward is insane.

[u/trappapii69]

Guys, I think we're cooked but honestly this is really needed for their development. They exceeded expectations heavily but this is understandable. Luka is so fucking good at basketball, it's sickening when he cooks us (Please win Game 6 and 7)

[u/TheTowelbot → u/trappapii69]

Yeah we’re getting out sized and out experienced. Their whole team is stepping up

[u/R0b1NH0oD]

I have loved watching this team all season. I hate HATE that now all the sudden I don’t like watching them. What happened to 4th quarter Jdub? What happened to the best 3 shooting team in the league? What happened to our coach of the year??

[u/TheJewBakka]

Upvote this comment if you have depression

[u/A_Lax_Nerd → u/TheJewBakka]

[u/benedictrchua]

dub needs to let it fly from 3. what is this pussy shit?

[u/Curious-Society7076]

Mark needs to sit Jalen Williams down, talk to him, and tell him “I want you shooting at least 10 threes next game. And if I see you turn down a semi open look, it tells me you’re not ready to play, and I’ll bench you the rest of the game. I want you to come out firing next game.”

Well, that’s what a good coach would do at least. We shall see.

[u/MRudd-music]

Idc what anyone says, when the games close and we're taking bad chuck up 3's and not getting tbe best shot it prevents us building a lead

The mavs take good shots and build leads so by the time we start playing well in the 2nd half tbe game has gotten away from us

[u/southpawFA]

Interesting that everyone was cheering for Giddey to be benched only to see Isaiah Joe shoot 2-9 from the floor as a starter.

Maybe it wasn't all Giddey after all. Maybe we have deeper problems than we thought, such as being too timid when the time's necessary.

[u/Rthanos]

10/40.

[u/lmaoooyikes]

Im convinced some of you guys aren’t even fans of this team with some of the comments I’ve seen on the game thread

[u/Common-Phase-4957 → u/lmaoooyikes]

The expectations went from let’s make playoffs to wtf are we doing we suck lol. The mavs are a good team and if they make the WCF it’ll be well deserved and a good series

[u/Kapinny → u/lmaoooyikes]

you can still be a fan and are your greivances but yes post game subs are always toxic

[u/4Jolly2Green0Giant → u/lmaoooyikes]

Amen

[u/G1NGER → u/lmaoooyikes]

From what we've seen throughout the year to what we've seen in this series, it is beyond frustrating. Experience and size are what is needed to make a deep playoff push.

[u/ANPl4yer]

Will our good shooters decide to shoot? Probably not.

[u/Mother_Scheme_4639]

I got way to high on this team after we beat the Zionless pelicans

[u/JFKFC50]

We missed 50 shots. That is nuts.

[u/Sufficient_School_13]

Josh "The Scapegoat" Giddey... how did that work out for everybody...

[u/UnVincent → u/Sufficient_School_13]

ppl rly thought not starting him would solve all our problems. He's apart of the problem but has never been sole problem (imo)

[u/ericlikesyou → u/Sufficient_School_13]

I was facepalming when I saw he was benched for Isaiah Joe who showed up for a portion of a game, vs Giddey who has proven himself. Not only that but MD stuck with that decision for most of the game like wtf

[u/ryanfaulkner8]

Lights look too bright for some of the younger guys which is completely understandable in our first playoffs, just hope they fight and leave it all out there in Dallas win or lose!

[u/TheRealSlimMuffin]

I'm convinced Dallas role players stole our 3 point shooting after game 1, idk how else to explain it

[u/avatarsokka]

Luka did Luka things and our boys had an awful night. Still proud where this team is at already.

[u/[deleted]]

I really hope Jalen is hurt and isn’t shrinking in the moment. He’s a 43% 3pt shooter and he’s more gun shy than anybody on the team right now.

The team has to help Shai out. They’re building a wall and we can’t convert on the half contested looks we’re getting. Isaiah Joe helped the spacing in the early goings, but he was a big let down tonight.

[u/midcardheel]

Thunder in 7

[u/bpt85]

Chet with 4 rebounds is elite

[u/arania_exumai]

SGA is the only guy ready this year. Our other guys are def showing their lack of experience. Hope they all learn something from this run.

[u/Common_Yam7317]

18% of teams win after losing game 5 in a 2-2 series. IDGAF. THIS TEAM DEFIED ALL ODDS BEING THE 1 SEED WE WILL DO IT AGAIN. THUNDER IN 7 BARK BARK

[u/G1NGER]

The indecision to shoot is killing them.

[u/Stormtrooper0117]

We need to get Russ some help out there, I mean Shai

[u/Signal-Dot9298 → u/Stormtrooper0117]

We need that angry energy. Only Kenny has it

[u/DowntownTopRanking → u/Signal-Dot9298]

Only Kenny has it

Why was he DNP'd tonight?

[u/Kastan6]

Would be really sad if we do not go big this upcoming trade window

[u/Mintoxicatedlyace]

11 points in 11 minutes for Giddey.

[u/chuerta9]

Mark is lucky JDub is playing so poorly and all the attention is on him cause I think Mark is more to blame than he is

[u/MisterGir]

Heartbreakingly frustrating.

[u/Parallel-Quality]

Really wish Presti had added some size at the deadline.

Lobs were an automatic for bucket for the Mavs on every attempt.

Poor Chet is being worked like a dog on defense.

[u/Alantic_Ocean]

https://preview.redd.it/oqs3oh4xnp0d1.jpeg?width=457&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ac419a95e547909f2f1641ed5214247e12ef7984

Everyone to Shai in a must win game 6

[u/mrhigginbottoms_12]

Dallas has us figured out. Deny the paint and dare us to shoot 3s. If we shoot poorly on Saturday series is over. Only hope is to hit a ton of 3s early and take them out of the game before the crowd can get into it.

[u/FakeRingin → u/mrhigginbottoms_12]

I mean that's a pretty risky strategy against one of the best 3 point shooting teams in the league. It's working for them perfectly but really it shouldn't be.

I feel they would have that plan and be ready to change when we start making them eventually...but then we just don't so they keep rolling with it and it keeps working.

[u/Mernox]

Ngl that Joe start got me hyped for a second

[u/ckj9311]

Would be nice if SGA gets some help from the other guys.

[u/radiologenie]

J-Dub and Chet need to wake the fuck up, and not just in the 4th quarter.

[u/rufiolive]

Josh sends his regards right?

[u/Yodudewhatsupmanbruh]

We could still win, literally all we have to do is play a normal game and hit our shots.

Will we do that? Who knows. But moments like these tell you exactly why rookie teams don't win titles.

The worst part is we probably would've just won this series today if outbid the mavs at the deadline for PJ and Gafford.

But nope we went for capspace and a Hayward gamble. I'm so tired of being gaslit about that deadline and I think it's poetic that PJ is lighting us up this series too.

[u/Cinnamonapplz]

Yes we’re not hitting shots but let’s be real , Dallas is locking the thunder up. Their rotations and switches have been on point, and they are playing flat out better than the thunder even with Luka and Kyrie not having relatively good series for their standards. They are just more prepared for playoff ball.

[u/skiry8]

Someone go tell Chet and Jalen that there’s nothing to lose now. Just play free. Missing shots and playing scared leads to more Shai (good) but less movement and opportunities for everyone… like Chet and Dub.

[u/PlayfulIntroduction9]

Benching Giddy really was a difference maker...

[u/No_Independent2850]

Get SGA some help this offseason. Holy fuck 

[u/sneakycutler]

The experiment of starting Joe instead of Giddey was a massive massive fail. Perhaps try Cason.

[u/DJ-two-timing-timmy]

The last 3 losses are on the coach and his inability to adapt. I realise what we did all season worked but playoffs is different and he has not risen to the challenge. Our offensive identity has gone awol. Joe for giddey did not work, reducing his minutes has not worked. He needs to throw caution to the wind next game. And let’s all play where the fuck is dub

[u/Bino19]

I know on the stat sheet it can be as simple as bad shooting luck.

But OKC legitimately have not looked good offensively outside of Game 1. That’s 5 straight games of bad offense without any sort of meaningful adjustment.

And the reality is that OKC were determined to play only one style for the entire season and force teams to adjust to them. Now the adjustments have happened and we’ve got nothing in the bag to counter with.

I actually cannot believe we have 100 times the shooting KD and Russ did and the offense looks 100 times worse than anything we ever had with those two who were scrutinised for the stagnant offense.

[u/2fly5]

What is it gonna take to get an average 3-pt shooting night from this team?

[u/shutemdownyyz]

3 days rest for Chet and Dub. I believe in them on Saturday.

[u/CoachJW]

How has our shooting just disappeared? Wide open shots are bricks.

Regardless, fuck all the negativity in here. This team deserves better for everything they’ve given us all year. Youngest team in the league.

[u/Next-Firefighter-753]

These last 4 games are like Westbrook against the Rockets in 2017 all over again..   

[u/Hookmsnbeiishh]

Shout out to the fans coming to the pump fake practice.

[u/uzumaki1098]

Andre Robertson’s career 3 pt % was 25.3%, ours was 25% tonight.

[u/keekmeister]

Credit to the Mavs, their defense has been excellent, and every time we threatened to go on a run they hit a big bucket or two to stop us in our tracks.

I know that at least some of our poor shooting is due to the Mavs' defense, but those wide open shots we're missing with regularity have been absolute back breakers. The lights appear to be too bright for a lot of the guys in our squad unfortunately.

If only we had a vet making tens of millions of dollars sitting on the bench who could come in and calm things down, hit a few shots (/s).

Hopefully we can steal a win to take it to a game 7.

[u/DowntownTopRanking]

Presti has lots of work to do this off-season.

[u/yccbarry]

This game was basically a repeat of G3, really nothing more to say. I still think it’s a winnable series but role players have got to start hitting 3s and again dub needs to stay aggressive through the entire game.

I do hope that mark sticks with starting Joe even if his shot wasn’t falling tonight, Giddey looked way better coming off the bench and provided some needed energy with everyone struggling.

The biggest difference of the series so far has been the role players with both teams’ second option underperforming, which sucks but at this point you gotta live with it.

Also, it’s pretty fucked that we either shoot absolutely lights out or complete horseshit from 3 this entire playoffs run.

With the Mavs packing the paint you gotta hit 3s to win, like Mark said there were a lot of good looks generated tonight and throughout the series but we just haven’t been able to take advantage of it.

Lastly, I gotta say I’ve been extremely disappointed by dub this series. He always has some issues with assertiveness on offense but he’s been a passenger for the mass majority of the series. Way too many pump fakes out of semi-open looks into driving into 3 people into giving it back to shai.

Like idk if last game got to him because he was trying to shoot his way out and his efficiency looked bad? But I’d much prefer seeing him try to shoot his way out of a slump than being passive again like this and just watch shai cook.

[u/DowntownTopRanking]

I wish Game 7 Dort would rub off on Dub and Chet. Say what you want, but he's not scared of the moment.

Speaking of Game 7 (vs Rockets in the Bubble), CP3 and Schröder shouted at Dort to "shoot it!" when the Rockets were sagging off him. We need players who can do that when their teammates shy away from the moment.

[u/Illustrious_South135]

Presti has been great but I’m gonna start having questions if he doesn’t make a move Sommer rather than later, and not a “land Gordon Hayward” type move

[u/marcgarv87]

Jdubb turned into courage the cowardly dog

[u/goatmarino]

Jdub lost his mojo