Mavericks and Thunder Meet in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals

2011 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals, Game #2
#4 Oklahoma City Thunder at #3 Dallas Mavericks (DAL leads series 1-0) Best of Seven Series Format, 2-2-1-1-1
American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Thursday, May 19, 2011 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Mavericks -5 1/2
Current Line: Mavericks -5 1/2
Opening Total: 197 1/2
Current Total: 200
Money Line: Mavericks -245 / Thunder +205

Mavericks-Blazers series preview — Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki was nearly unstoppable in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the OKC Thunder. The Mavericks are 5 1/2 point home favorites in game 2.

In Tuesday’s game 1 of the Western Conference finals, the Dallas Mavericks won their seventh consecutive playoff game and improved to an impressive 11-0 ATS this postseason with their 121-112 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder had no answer for Dirk Nowitzki who had 48 points on 12 for 15 shooting. Nowitzki set an NBA playoff record by going a perfect 24-24 from the free throw line. He also added 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks for good measure. Thunder superstar Kevin Durant was nearly as brilliant in the loss with 40 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and 2 blocks. Durant was 10 for 18 from the field and 18 for 19 from the free throw line. Of course, two great scorers like Durant and Nowitzki are difficult to contain. The series will come down to what the other 8 players on the court do.

Though they lost game 1 Oklahoma City can take some positives out of the game. They pulled within 5 with about 3 minutes to play but couldn’t get any closer. Point guard Russell Westbrook scored 20 points but he was a ghastly 3 for 15 from the field. He was 14 for 18 from the free throw line. Once he finds his shooting stroke the Thunder will be fine. He had 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal after a triple double in game 7 against Memphis in the previous round. As ridiculous as it sounds, Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka actually played pretty good defense on Nowitzki. Nowitzki only had one open look the whole game, as Ibaka had a hand in his face almost every time he guarded him. Dirk was just out of his mind shooting and couldn’t be stopped by anybody. Ibaka also scored 17 points and had 6 rebounds. Guard James Harden added 12 points off the bench. No other OKC player had more than 7 points. The Thunder shot the ball pretty well going 47% from the field and 43% from 3-point range. They made 37 of their 43 free throw attempts. The Thunder had 35 rebounds, 19 assists, and 13 turnovers. They will have to improve in all three of those areas if they want to compete with the Mavericks. Oklahoma City had 22 fast break points and 40 points in the paint.

The Mavericks’ bench outscored the Thunder’s 53-22 in game 1. Jason Terry had 24 points and the speedy back-up point guard J.J. Barea added 21 points. Starting small forward Shawn Marion added 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block. No other Maverick scored more than 3 points, but center Tyson Chandler had 8 rebounds, while point guard Jason Kidd had 11 assists and 3 steals. Dallas shot 53% from the field, including 9 for 23 from 3-point range. Dallas made 34 out of 36 free throw attempts. Dallas had 33 rebounds, 22 assists, and 12 turnovers. The Mavericks had 14 fast break points, and 36 points in the paint.

I know it is only one game, but Oklahoma City seemingly has no answer for Nowitzki. They tried guarding him with 5 different players including Ibaka, Durant, Westbrook, Nick Collison, and Thabo Sefolosha. Nothing worked. By the same token, Dallas couldn’t stop Durant either. Dallas won’t shoot 53% in every game as they did in game 1. Despite Dallas shooting lights out like they did, OKC still had a chance to win with about 3 minutes to play. I think if Westbrook shoots better and gets more assists, the Thunder have an excellent shot of stealing game 2 before they head home 200 miles north on the I-35 for game 3 Saturday night.