Despite entering the 2024 NBA Playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the West, a result achieved thanks to the best win-loss record in the Regular Season, Oklahoma City Thunder is still skeptical by a part of experts and fans.
They think that the OKC team is too young and this could cause Thunder to fall before big challenges in the postseason. But so far, at least until Game 1 of the Western semi-final series, that has not happened yet.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates just extended their unbeaten streak this morning (May 8), defeating the Dallas Mavericks of star duo Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with a strong score of 117-95, temporarily rising to the top. leads 1-0 in the Western semi-finals.
This victory helps the Oklahoma City Thunder extend their unbeaten streak in the 2024 NBA Playoffs to 5 matches, including 4 consecutive wins to “sweep” the New Orleans Pelicans in the round that ended 1 week ago.
Oklahoma City Thunder took advantage of the home field advantage in terms of shooting the basket (achieving 44.9% FG and 45.7% 3PT), and showed good cohesion in attack.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Chet Holmgren scored 19 points with 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. The entire OKC team had 7 players who shot at least 2 3-pointers each, bringing too many difficulties for the Dallas Mavericks.
And not only did they attack well, Oklahoma City Thunder also defended very well in this match.
The good physique and long arms of Chet Holmgren and Vietnamese-born player Jaylin Williams created a wall in the area near the basket. A quartet of players including Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins took turns causing trouble for Dallas pitchers on the outside.
As a result, the Dallas Mavericks were held to 95 points in Game 1, suffered 15 errors in losing the ball and achieved a shooting rate of only 39.3% FG. The duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving alone could not sublimate with a total of 39 points, throwing 13-33 FG (Doncic personally only had 1-8 3PT).
This is the 5th consecutive defeat in the opening matches of Dallas’ Playoffs series under coach Jason Kidd, one of the biggest weaknesses every time they enter the postseason. In the previous 4 defeats, Mavericks revived and won 3 times in Game 2 matches.
“They are a strong team, playing well in both defense and attack. So we will need to bring a different face. My teammates and I will have to play our best basketball, especially maintaining focus throughout the entire match “, Luka Doncic shared.
