Today's number is 25. Twenty-five times Oklahoma City gave the ball back to Dallas without even attempting a shot and yet they were still in this game with a chance to win in the closing seconds. Anytime you double your opponent's turnover total it doesn't bode well for your outcome. Durant was one turnover away from a triple-double. You're two best players accounted for more turnovers than the entire Dallas squad. The youth and inexperience has busted through the floodgates and ultimately crushing the Thunder in this series.
The only number that stands out is 25. The Thunder outscored the Mavs in the paint, in transition, and rebounding the ball. You win those three battles and I guarantee you win the overwhelming majority of your games. I don't want to rain on Dallas's parade that's going down Wednesday night, they have played well all playoffs. They set records for three pointers made versus the Lakers and have continued to rain them down on the Thunder. Dallas hasn't overly impressed me this postseason (maybe I'm just bitter), but for some strange reason their opponents play their worse basketball against them. I credit Rick Carlisle for a superb coaching effort and putting a team together that can light you up for 48 minutes no matter who’s on the floor.
Their mix of speed and knock down shooting is proving to be a difficult match up for teams this postseason. The Lakers tried to out size them, Dallas stretched the floor and let "Mini-Me" loose to terrorize the Laker guards. The Thunder have played lock down defense onDirk but nothing slows the seven footer. Their offense is potent, there is no doubting that. But can their defense match the intensity of the Eastern Conference Finalist (aka the Heat)? If not, can you win a title by simply out scoring your opponent? I say no.
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