For the Dallas Mavericks, the NBA Cup quarterfinals are a repeat of last season’s NBA Playoff semifinals. To advance, Dallas must go through the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
OKC is every bit as potent as they were last season, if not more. SHai GIlgeous-Alexander continues to play at a level that keeps him in MVP consideration, and the Thunder went out and added Isaiah Hartenstein in the offseason to bolster their frontcourt – an area where Dallas, and other bigger teams, bullied them last season. If nothing else, this will be a fun game with elevated stakes that will certainly be a good gut check for where these squads are now, about a quarter into the season.
Clash of the Titans
-------------------
Over the last 10 games, the Mavericks and Thunder are the only two teams in the league that can boast of having both offensive and defensive ratings in the top 10. Dallas’ 9-1 record has boosted them to the best net rating in the league at +11.8, while for OKC, 10.8 is good for third-best. This is an opening-round matchup that may as well be the finals with the way these teams are playing.
Both teams will be without some rotation guys, but for the most part, the stars will be out to play. Everything is lined up to provide nothing short of a great game of basketball, made greater, of course, if Dallas can win in convincing fashion.
Also on the line for Dallas is a chance to extend their 7-game winning streak. It’s tied for their longest since 2011.
Get a body on him
-----------------
Over the last 10 games, Dallas is grabbing 53.1% of available rebounds; that’s second-best in the league. As mentioned, OKC brought in Hartenstein to add some size, and he’s been everything they’ve hoped for. Unfortunately for OKC, that depth in the frontcourt was cut in half when Chet Holmgren went down with a pelvic fracture that’s going to keep him out for a few more weeks, at least.
Hartenstein has been big for OKC, grabbing nearly 13 boards a game (as well as 12 points, a walking double-double). The next-highest rebound-getter in a Thunder jersey is Jalen Williams, who averages six a game.
Dallas has the personnel in Gafford and Lively to body up Hartenstein when shots are going up. If they can keep Hartenstein’s boards to a minimum and let guys like Luka Doncic and PJ Washington get after it on the glass, they could generate an important advantage in terms of possessions as the game goes on.
Hard counter
------------
In Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic, two of the league’s premier iso scorers will be going head-to-head. While both teams are playing potent defense, the Thunder’s league-best unit seems designed to slow down Dallas specifically – not bad team planning considering the Mavericks represented the West in the finals last season.
Dallas and OKC run iso plays with nearly identical frequency. It’s 10.1% of Oklahoma City’s offensive arsenal and 9.9% for Dallas. Both are top-five in the league. However, when it comes to defending those plays, it’s the Thunder who look scary. Opponents are scoring just 36.6% of the time on isos against them, top marks in the league, yet again. For Dallas, it’s a more middling 42.7%, good for 16th.
Now, that said, Dallas seems to finally have a version of Luka Doncic that may just be unstoppable for full games. After a slow-ish start (by his standards) and some time missed with an injury, he’s got back-to-back triple-doubles and his shooting efficiency is looking scary. There is no iso defense good enough to stop Luka Doncic at the top of his game. Never mind that Dallas has been getting huge contributions from Kyrie Irving all season, as well as PJ Washington, and Klay Thompson can get hot at the drop of a hat. Dallas’ offense, if they execute at a high level, is going to be a true stress test of the league’s most lock-down defense.
How to watch
------------
You can broadcast or stream the game on TNT at 8:30.