The defeat of Mavericks in Oklahoma City, without being a big slap in the face, does not suffer from any dispute. THE Thunder was much better, in many areas, and the victory is therefore logical. Jason Kidd is aware that, at this level and with so much waste, his team cannot hope for much.
“It’s a series and no one wins it by winning just one game”, however, recalls the Mavericks coach. “We’re going to go back to the blackboard and see what we can do better. Overall, we need to make more effort on both ends of the pitch. Not just defensively, but offensively as well. »
“Our effort must be better throughout the game. In the third quarter, we came back to within one point and relaxed. The effort must be made over 48 minutes »confirms Luka Doncic.
Too diminished to make any difference
For this, the Slovenian will have to go up a notch, because he missed his match, with only 19 points and 9 assists, at a low 6/19 in shooting (including 1/8 at 3-pts ) and five lost balloons.
“We don’t care, we lost”replies Luka Doncic on his clumsiness during this evening. “We have to move on to the next match. I have to do better, we have to be better. They are a great team in attack and defense and it won't be easy at all. We have to play good basketball for 48 minutes. »
The Mavericks All-Star did not linger at the press conference. His disappointing performance can be explained by his failing physique. Affected in the right knee for some time, he often grimaced during the meeting. And his runs, slow and hesitant, were not very intense. In the second half (only seven points), he moved back, mainly passing, to leave the offensive responsibilities to Kyrie Irving.
The former Real Madrid prodigy is used to playing without being at 100% of his capabilities, but here, he plays with weight on his feet and doesn't weigh down. Can he find his legs for Game 2 on Thursday night?
“Basically, this is the first team to have four wins, right? »he reacts. “We obviously would have liked to take this Game 1. We have to review the images and move on to the next meeting. There is a new match in two days. »
