In Game 4, are the Dallas Mavericks ready for an efficient Luka Doncic? Preview of the Playoffs Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder will take place at the American Airlines Center. Everything you ought to know about the matchup is provided below.
Although Luka Doncic’s masterclass may not be far off, P.J. Washington Jr.’s 22-point average should win the finest emerging-star series performance of the 2024 postseason. Even though Doncic enjoys taking on the antagonistic role when traveling, the Dallas Mavericks may lead the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder 3-1 after Game 4 if they win at home.
Although Doncic’s 3-point shooting percentage against the Thunder isn’t as bad as it was during the Los Angeles Clippers series (23 percent), there is still a long way to go. Despite Doncic’s playoff career-low scoring average of 23.3, largely due to Luguentz Dort’s relentless defense-oriented harassing of the MVP finalist, you can only contain an All-NBA First Team player for so long, even if your knee is injured.
Doncic missed four floaters in Game 3, typically his bread-and-butter offense while combining his big frame with a soft touch. It would be foolish to assume Doncic will continue to miss those type of “easy” shots going forward.
Dort deserves credit for staying on Doncic’s hip throughout the series (albeit with a few questionable tactics). Still, the five-time All-NBA star scored four of his seven baskets on the habitual aggravator. Either in pick-and-roll sequences or in the post, Doncic has several answers for Dort’s physicality.
For the Mavericks to pull off a 2011-like performance vs. a young and inexperienced Thunder — OKC deployed Devin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden during Dallas’ title run — Doncic must play channel franchise legend Dirk Nowitzki. Game 4 at the American Airlines would make an excellent soundtrack for Doncic’s second efficient shooting outing in the Western Conference semifinals.
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