Youngest team to win a playoff series, the Thunder remains on an easy and successful confrontation against the Pelicans, dismissed without trembling with a sweep. Eight years (!) after crossing a lap for the very last time, here is Oklahoma City which is now rubbing shoulders with Maverickssometimes suffering against the Clippers, but who ended up getting through it in six games.
This conference semi-final will also see three of the most exciting players in the league go head-to-head: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the one hand, Luka Doncic et Kyrie Irving the other. Expected at the turning point, they will nevertheless all have to hope that their “supporting cast” rises to the occasion, in a series that we imagine to be long and drawn out.
To watch, however, Luka Doncic’s right knee which handicapped him quite a bit against Los Angeles and which could change a lot of things. Even more so in the face of the well-established defense of this franchiseOklahoma Citywho will try to take full advantage of his explosiveness, his freshness and his athletic qualities to further exhaust the Slovenian, considered the Texan “head of the snake” and struggling with his shooting in these playoffs (41% address, including 23% at 3-points).
It’s up to Kyrie Irving to continue his momentum from the first round, where he was gigantic, and it will be necessary for dallas resist the ardor ofOKCplayed in addition to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and other Luguentz Dort, to name a few.
PRESENTATION OF THE THUNDER
The holders : Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren
The replacements : Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Gordon Hayward, Aaron Wiggins, Jaylin Williams, Ousmane Dieng…
The absents : Olivier Sarr
The coach : Mark Daigneault
A brilliant soloist like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, in the running for the MVP, surrounded by a dense collective. This is what emerges from the Thunder, sometimes irresistible with its alert and altruistic basketball, but also its very high defense. Besides “SGA”, we find the (false) rookie Chet Holmgren, who has immense potential and whose accuracy amazes on each side of the floor, or Jalen Williams, a real line breaker with his power and creativity. Not forgetting the unpredictable Josh Giddey and the watchdog Luguentz Dort. Not necessarily seen as a legitimate title candidate, at least this season, OKC nevertheless demonstrated against New Orleans that it was necessary to be wary…
THE STRONG POINT
– General balance. This Thunder is progressing together and doing so consistently. At its head, it has a real leader in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who, with Luguentz Dort, is one of the few to know the atmosphere of the playoffs, while their complementarity brings stability and balance to the team. In the Top 5 best attacks and defenses, OKC has a well-defined hierarchy, thanks to the good work of Coach of the Year Mark Daigneault, and its starting five is among the most used in the entire NBA. Reassuring at this stage of the season and this was reflected in the first round.
THE WEAK POINT
– Inexperience. In recent weeks, Mark Daigneault and his players have continued to assure that their youth is not a flaw. First, because they will be young for four or five more years and they demonstrated this season that they can play like veterans. Then, because their youth is only relative with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort or Josh Giddey who have shone internationally and who have experience of major competitions. Uncertainties Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams reassured against the Pelicans, but what will happen now against the much more cunning and armed Mavericks?
INTRODUCING THE MAVERICKS
The starters: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford
Les remplaçants : Tim Hardaway Jr, Josh Green, Dante Exum, Dereck Lively II, Dwight Powell, Jaden Hardy…
Absent : Maxi glue
Coach: Jason Kidd
The arrivals of Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington at the trade deadline gave new impetus to the Mavericks, until now led by a still stratospheric Luka Doncic and an efficient Kyrie Irving but sometimes in the infirmary, when their main problem concerned the defense, far too crumbly and permissive (which had also deprived them of the 2023 playoffs). Thus, it was only enough to offer the Doncic/Irving duo “role players” capable of covering their backs and, as is now the case, Dallas can dream big with a solid defense and two genius attackers to pull this off. together upwards…
THE STRONG POINT
– A group that is a hit. Since the beginning of March, the Mavericks have established themselves as one of the best teams in the NBA and have become one of the most efficient defenses in the country. Overall, the franchise has the equipment to succeed in a long playoff campaign, with a conductor like Luka Doncic at its head and, at his side, a lieutenant who knows how to win like Kyrie Irving. In full swing, and the first round against the Clippers demonstrated it, Jason Kidd’s men can aim far in a relatively open Western Conference this season.
THE WEAK POINT
– The “supporting cast” of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Yes, the Doncic/Irving duo is capable of winning matches for the Mavericks using their scoring successes. But there are inevitably evenings when other players must show up in order to relieve them of the burden on the offensive level. Against the Clippers, we wondered if Jason Kidd’s soldiers, inexperienced, were able to contribute with regularity, to take advantage of the spaces that their two stars will create for them. During certain matches, this posed a problem and, as the playoffs progress, the pressure will increase and open shots will be difficult to land…
THE KEY TO THE SERIES
– What version of Luka Doncic? Already deprived of Maxi Kleber, the Mavericks especially risk not being able to count on Luka Doncic at 100% of his abilities. Ill but above all diminished by his right knee since Game 3 against the Clippers, he is forcing himself to play injured because the playoffs are in full swing but, on the field, he does not have the same skills as usual. His natural talent allows him to remain productive but, against a seasoned defender like Luguentz Dort, aided by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren or Cason Wallace, will he be able to manipulate the defense as he pleases, from afar and from close ?
REGULAR SEASON
Oklahoma City 3-1
– December 2: Dallas – Oklahoma City (120-126)
– February 10: dallas – Oklahoma City (146-111)
– 14 mars : Oklahoma City – Dallas (126-119)
– 14 avril : Oklahoma City – Dallas (135-86)
VERDICT
Oklahoma City 4-3. The physical problems of the Mavericks, and in particular of Luka Doncic, as well as the home advantage and the respective dynamics of the first round make us give a slight advantage to the Thunder, despite its inexperience at this stage of the season. Certainly, a Kyrie Irving at 100% is an almost insoluble equation for a defense, but we consider that the density of OKC’s workforce, coupled with its guarantees on both sides of the floor, can make this Dallas team crack over time. , not always impeccable collectively and who does not have the interior assets to really hurt this Thunder. Get ready for two weeks of great spectacle!
CALENDAR
Game 1: in Oklahoma City, Tuesday May 7 (3:30 a.m., Tuesday night to Wednesday)
Game 2: in Oklahoma City, Thursday May 9 (3:30 a.m., Thursday night to Friday)
Game 3: in Dallas, Saturday May 11 (9:30 p.m.)
Game 4: in Dallas, Monday May 13 (3:30 a.m., Monday night to Tuesday)
Game 5*: in Oklahoma City, Wednesday May 15 (to be determined, during the night from Wednesday to Thursday)
Game 6*: in Dallas, Saturday May 18 (to be determined, during the night from Saturday to Sunday)
Game 7*: in Oklahoma City, Monday May 20 (to be determined, during the night of Monday to Tuesday)
* If necessary.
2024-05-06 12:20:12
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