Nine days ago, Dallas ended its series against the Los Angeles Lakers playing as well as perhaps any other team. Nine days ago the Mavericks moved the ball well, knew where their teammates were on offense and rotated in sync on defense.
But nine days is a long time to go between games.
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“They’re a rhythm team, and now they have to wait around,” TNT analyst Steve Kerr said.
So as the Mavericks get ready for their first game vs. Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, it’s safe to wonder: Will they still play as well?
If so, then the Mavericks could be the front-runners to win the NBA title. If not, then it will add to the organization’s run of postseason disappointments.
“To have nine days off, no matter what you try to get done in practice, it makes it difficult to stay as sharp as they were,” ESPN NBA analyst and former coach Jeff Van Gundy said. “You work all year to get homecourt. You don’t want to be rusty to where you don’t play well in that first game and you lose homecourt advantage.”
If the Thunder are going to steal a game on the road in this series, Tuesday would be the time.
“The layoff will be a factor in both Games 1 and 2,” ESPN NBA analyst Mark Jackson said. “You’d much rather continue to roll on when you’re playing great ball rather than trying to get it back.”
If Dallas struggles because of the layoff, it could be seen in a variety of ways. Timing. Offensive spacing. Rhythm. Defensive rotations.
“Do they look as cohesive as they did against the Lakers?” Van Gundy said.
It’s not as if the Mavericks just got hot in the postseason. They did win 57 games in the regular season, after all. But it’s not as if a layoff would be the only reason Oklahoma City can beat them: The Thunder won 55 games in the regular season. Still, after sweeping the Lakers, the Mavericks are viewed differently.
“It’ll be interesting to see if they pick up where they left off,” Jackson said.
– John Keim
