Thunder Rise
Things got a bit chippy last night when the Mavs and the Thunder collided in what turned out to be the best game of the night due to the other two games being blowouts. Dirk Nowitzki brought his “A” game again scoring 31 points shooting 10 for 19 from the field but it was not enough. The Mavericks could not get any defensive stops in the fourth quarter, only trading baskets, and Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were too much. In order for the Mavericks to try to even the series up in Dallas they will have to play better on the defensive end specifically when it comes to Russell Westbrook who went for 29 points helping close out the game with Kevin Durant who finished with 26 points. The Thunder edged the Mavericks by three 102-99. Even though I don’t like Westbrook shooting more than Durant, the Thunder are 23-5 when Westbrook takes more shots than KD so I can’t say it doesn’t work because when KD takes more shots they are 23-13. I think Rick Carlisle will have his team defensively prepared for the Thunder and the rest of the series should be interesting. I can’t see Dirk going out the first round but then again it might be the Thunder year. Also even though he is a old vet now, Vince Carter could be a huge playmaker but he has to tell himself that and go out on the floor with confidence as well as being able to play hard through every quarter.
