Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks are up against a significant hurdle as they take on the Thunder, especially in the absence of the injured Luka Doncic.

March 14, 2024

Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks are up against a significant hurdle as they take on the Thunder, especially in the absence of the injured Luka Doncic.

The Mavericks have a tough assignment ahead as they gear up for a nationally-televised game against the Thunder without Luka Doncic, particularly given that it's the second game of a back-to-back.

As the Dallas Mavericks gear up to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, they will be without Luka Doncic, sidelined due to left hamstring soreness. The absence of their star player poses an additional challenge, particularly given that it's the second game of a back-to-back.

The Mavericks are entering this matchup following a 109-99 victory over the Golden State Warriors, who were missing key players Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. This marks the second consecutive game in which Dallas has held their opponent below the 100-point mark. Prior to this recent defensive improvement, the Mavericks had the worst defense in the NBA since the All-Star break.

Despite shooting just 6-27 (22.2 percent) from beyond the arc, Dallas managed to secure the win by dominating in paint scoring with a 68-48 advantage and recording 30 assists on 44 made shots. In the absence of Doncic, who contributed 21 points, nine assists, and three rebounds, it was Kyrie Irving who stepped up to seal the victory with an impressive performance, tallying 23 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.

"It was a significant challenge for our defense tonight. Although we had some promising offensive opportunities that didn't quite materialize, we demonstrated resilience, reminiscent of our performance in Chicago during the second quarter where scoring was difficult, yet our defensive effort remained strong," stated Mavs coach Jason Kidd. "As you mentioned, Daniel Gafford's seven blocks were pivotal for us in maintaining our lead and providing crucial protection in the paint, a role he's been fulfilling exceptionally well for us recently."

In their recent game on Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a 121-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder's scoring efforts with an impressive stat line of 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Additionally, notable double-figure scoring contributions came from Chet Holmgren, who recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds, as well as Luguentz Dort with 18 points, Josh Giddey with 15 points, and Cason Wallace with 11 points.

"After the loss against the Pacers, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault reflected on the team's performance, noting, 'There were too many possessions where we weren't collaborating effectively and working together, which is a valuable lesson. The game becomes much more challenging when we fail to do so. So, once again, we need to analyze and learn from it. We can't expect perfection every night; there are lessons to be gleaned from every game, and we'll take away from this one.'"

In the previous matchup between these two teams, the Mavericks secured a commanding 146-111 victory, highlighted by a strong 47-point effort in the first quarter. Luka Doncic led the charge with an impressive performance, tallying 32 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Kyrie Irving also made significant contributions with 25 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, while the Mavericks collectively recorded 30 assists. On the Thunder's side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stood out with 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists, but the team lacked a strong second scorer, with Chet Holmgren only managing 13 points.

In February, Daniel Gafford made an impressive debut for the Mavericks against the Thunder, coinciding with P.J. Washington's first appearance for Dallas. Gafford recorded 19 points and nine rebounds, while Washington contributed 14 points. At that time, Maxi Kleber started as the center for Dallas, but Gafford has since assumed that position. Additionally, Dereck Lively II was unavailable during that matchup, adding to Dallas' interior strength this time around. Considering that the Mavericks received seven double-figure scoring performances in their previous encounter with the Thunder, having scoring depth will be crucial once again.

In the absence of Doncic, Irving will assume the role of the Mavericks' primary offensive threat against the Thunder. Dallas has faced a mixed record without their Slovenian star this season, going 3-5 in five games, but they've managed a 3-2 record in those games with Irving. During those outings, Irving has been impressive, averaging 30.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 6.0 rebounds. He has tallied over 40 points twice and surpassed the 30-point mark on three occasions. Despite his individual scoring prowess, Irving underscores the importance of collective ball movement for the team's success.

"Having thirty assists really reflects the energy of the ball movement and our collective efforts to make the right plays and support each other's success," Irving commented. "While this level of teamwork is present on most nights, it was particularly satisfying to see everyone contribute to scoring and capitalize on transition opportunities."

A crucial aspect of the upcoming game will be the Mavericks' defensive strategy against Gilgeous-Alexander, who boasts season averages of 31.1 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.6 rebounds. In previous matchups, the Mavericks utilized a combination of defensive tactics such as blitzing and drop coverage, supplemented by low-man help defense. Regardless of the specific approach employed, it will be essential for the Mavericks to execute timely rotations to counteract one of the league's most formidable threats in terms of penetrating the lane.

Despite ranking 16th in the number of attempted 3-pointers per game with 34.1, the Thunder lead the league in 3-point shooting accuracy at an impressive 39.4 percent. Their remarkable accuracy from beyond the arc, fueled by several players shooting above 38 percent except for Giddey, presents a challenge to the Mavericks' defensive strategy. The Mavericks often employ a defensive scheme that involves sagging off Giddey, an Australian standout, to shrink the floor. This strategy proved effective as Giddey managed to score only 11 points, shooting 3-14 overall and 3-9 from the perimeter. Consequently, the Thunder's pick-and-roll offense and isolation plays were thwarted.

Apart from Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder possess multiple players capable of penetrating the paint effectively, such as Williams, Giddey, and Gordon Hayward, who excel in short-to-mid-range scoring. The Mavericks' defensive efforts at containing these drives at the point of attack and their big men's capacity to disrupt these offensive attempts will be crucial. Furthermore, the Thunder's proficiency in mid-range scoring often correlates with their overall success, underscoring another defensive priority for Dallas.

The Mavericks also confront the task of managing the Thunder's floor spacing, particularly with Holmgren's capability to stretch the floor. Holmgren boasts averages of 16.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Despite recent struggles in his three-point shooting, he remains a significant threat, especially considering the Mavericks' recent challenges against stretch forwards. In his last eight games, Holmgren has only shot 27.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Offensively, the Mavericks must navigate through the Thunder's aggressive defense, known for its proficiency in forcing turnovers, spearheaded by Gilgeous-Alexander's impressive defensive instincts. Supporting him are players like Dort, Wallace, Williams, and Wiggins, amplifying the need for caution from the Mavericks to minimize turnovers. This task is typically led by Doncic as the primary playmaker, although his absence in this game requires adjustment. However, the Thunder are susceptible to rebounding vulnerabilities due to their defensive approach, which often leaves them exposed to corner 3-point attempts.

The Mavericks will benefit from the defensive adaptability and playmaking skills of Dante Exum, who missed the previous encounter between these teams while recovering from right knee bursitis. Exum's presence offers Dallas a range of compelling lineup options, given his stature for a guard, aptitude for orchestrating the offense, playmaking abilities, and knack for driving into the paint. These attributes will prove valuable, particularly in the absence of Doncic.

Another intriguing aspect of this matchup revolves around the opportunity Daniel Gafford has to etch his name in NBA history. Following his flawless 5-5 shooting performance against the Warriors, Gafford has now made an impressive 33 consecutive shots. He finds himself just two shots shy of equaling Wilt Chamberlain's extraordinary record of 35 consecutive made shots, a milestone that has remained unmatched for 57 years since February 1967.

"I try to remind myself not to fixate solely on it," Gafford commented. "If I achieve it, that's fantastic, and I'll certainly celebrate the accomplishment. However, ultimately, my primary focus is on contributing to the team's success and winning games."

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