GDT: Dallas Mavs@Seattle SuperSonics

[sefant77]

Easy win, we own them




Incoming TD and loss for this dude:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWqFsrUFfOk

[sefant77]

No Durant tonight

Spurned by DeAndre Jordan and all the other top free agents this offseason, the Dallas Mavericks were an afterthought in the deep Western Conference.

Kevin Durant's return made the Oklahoma City Thunder a popular pick to win it.

Yet it's Dallas developing the chemistry of a title contender as Oklahoma City stumbles while playing through Durant's latest injury.

The reigning champion Warriors are the only team hotter than the Mavericks, who visit the Thunder on Sunday night going for their longest winning streak since the season in which they won the title. Achieving that feat would surely be made easier if Durant is still unable to go.

There's a chance the former MVP will be back in action after missing the past five games. He was originally expected to miss 7-to-10 days after straining his left hamstring Nov. 10 in a win at Washington.

Oklahoma City is 2/3 since losing Durant, with the only victories coming against each conference's worst team -- winless Philadelphia and a New Orleans squad missing Anthony Davis.

"I think you gotta see the big picture, and realize it's tough to win especially when you've got your best player out," forward Nick Collison said after Friday's 93-90 home loss to New York. "... Really all you can do is control your effort and your concentration, and try to avoid other things that come in and distract you from doing that."

The Mavericks are no longer dealing with the distraction of questions about free-agent stars like Jordan, who again chose not to join them. Just enjoying playing together, according to offseason acquisitions Deron Williams and Zaza Pachulia, has keyed Dallas (9-4) getting hot.

"I'm having fun right now, being a part of this team," Williams told the team's official website. "You know, we've talked about it a lot, but this is a great group of guys that we have in this locker room. It sounds cliché, but it's the truth. We all just enjoy each other, we all like each other and love playing for each other."

Williams set or tied season highs with 23 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals in Friday's 102-93 win over Utah.

It was the Mavericks' sixth consecutive victory -- only Golden State is riding a longer win streak with its 14-0 start. Dallas hasn't had a longer one since having three win streaks of seven or more during its 2010-11 championship season.

"It's so much fun to play with these guys," Pachulia said. "Guys that we have in this locker room really know how to play, and they're unselfish guys. I definitely enjoy it."

Pachulia had 15 points and 12 rebounds Friday, and the Mavs improved to 6-1 when he gets a double-double.

As for 37-year-old Dirk Nowitzki, he's playing efficient basketball with a slightly diminished role. His averages of 13.2 field-goal attempts and 28.9 minutes are his lowest since his rookie season, but he's shooting a career-best 53.2 percent after hitting 17 of 26 in the last two games.

Dallas can further prove it is for real with a stretch of three road games in four nights, including stops in Memphis and San Antonio. The Mavs are 5-2 away from home.

"We've got to play with the same defensive energy and try to execute the game plan, as the opponents get tougher," Nowitzki said. "... If we run back and talk defensively and rebound with them, we've got a shot against anybody."

The Mavs have limited opponents to 40.5 percent from the field during their win streak.

The Thunder are shooting 41.9 percent in five games without Durant. Russell Westbrook is 11 for 37 from 3-point range in that span.

Oklahoma City's lone win in four meetings in 2014-15 was the only one in which Durant played. That Feb. 19 game turned out to be his last of the season due to a foot injury.

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=400828086

[Underdog]

Zombie Sonics gonna get Rick Grimes'd.

[Melonhead]

Those gifs sent me to youtube and I watched about 30 minutes worth of Mavs Thunder 2011 highlights.

[Vinsanity]

Watching Ibaka trying to guard Dirk is straight comedy. And no Durant tonight is a huge plus. Very winnable game now with how OKC has been struggling. We could end up 2-1 on this road trip which would be a huge success.

[Skywalker]

Isn't that first gif is from a game vs the Rockets?


Anyway, easy win

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Isn't that first gif is from a game vs the Rockets?

Its against Ibaka aka Blockbaka aka every 2nd block is a foul but the refs dont call it because if my reputation as a shotblocker

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Its against Ibaka aka Blockbaka aka every 2nd block is a foul but the refs dont call it because if my reputation as a shotblocker

Checked it, it's really vs the rockets (sorry to be THAT guy)



video here https://youtu.be/dbkonzqYqZc?t=4m8s

[CGM]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Checked it, it's really vs the rockets (sorry to be THAT guy)



video here https://youtu.be/dbkonzqYqZc?t=4m8s

Rockettes, SonicThunder, Spurts, Leakers... who cares??? They're all Dirk's illegitimate offspring!

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by CGM

Rockettes, SonicThunder, Spurts, Leakers... who cares??? They're all Dirk's illegitimate offspring!

I dont give a f*ck really, its just that I was almost sure it was against the Rockets. And I love that gif so the more times its posted the merrier


Here's a lovely one against Ibaka though

[CGM]

Westbroke will score 40, dish 12 assists, and grab 10 boards... the Mavs TEAM wins anyways...

Mavs - 107
SonicThunder - 100

[LSMF]

Westbrook and the rest of the Zombie Sonics always play super hard at home. Mavs have to be careful tonight. Let's get this W.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by LSMF

Westbrook and the rest of the Zombie Sonics always play super hard at home. Mavs have to be careful tonight. Let's get this W.

Agree...anytime a key player is out it concerns me. Just remember Indy game in Dallas last season when all 5 starters were out.
They are still a talented team without Durant and they are at home so it won't be an easy game for the Mavs.

[sefant77]

Ah crap i mixed it up with this other gif...rofl

I thought its the same play...him smiling and Ibaka waiving like an idiot

[Zaknaf3in]

Javale active tonight at limited minutes. Let's see if he gets some action.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Zaknaf3in

Javale active tonight at limited minutes.

Easy win.

[yahyes]

Go Mavs! They gotta contain Westbrook all game.

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by yahyes

Go Mavs! They gotta contain Westbrook all game.

Let westbrook have his and contest the others

[Skywalker]

Link with our guys http://www.ibrodtv.net/ibrodtv1.html

[Vinsanity]

Great to see Wes knock down his first shot

[sefant77]

lol at this turnover

[Vinsanity]

D-Will with a few really ugly turnovers so far

[turin]

Finally stopped the turnover fest.

[Thebo]

@Parsons

Mavs may not have gotten Jordan but they did get his free throw shooting in Parsons... Seriously, whats wrong with his free throws?

[GermanStandard]

Parsons shooting Rondo like FT% this season. WTF is wrong.

He was never a great FT Shooter but alteast hit 70%.

[Vinsanity]

JaVale McGee sighting!

[GermanStandard]

McGee Sighting

[GermanStandard]

1 Min into the game 2/2 and no Shaqtin a Fool Moment.

Already more than expected

[turin]

Wow. McGee looks like a beast!

[GermanStandard]

Haha McGee is beastin out there.

Wouldnt that be sth. if he could go 20-25min a game

[Vinsanity]

In case you're wondering why Harris took that contested shot and didn't pass to a wide open Dirk... it's in his contract to take the last shot of every 1st/2nd/3rd quarter. It's also in his contract that he has to miss the shot.

[turin]

OKC offensive rebounding has to be gotten under control.

[GermanStandard]

Too bad we refuse to play D tonight.

[GermanStandard]

You know its bad when Nick Collison is lighting up the paint and boards.

[turin]

OKC doesn't miss. SMH

[Oberon]

Lazy defending.

[GermanStandard]

Originally Posted by turin

OKC doesn't miss. SMH

Not too hard. 0 Defense and no Rebounding by the Mavs so far.

[turin]

Barea-Powell connection looking good. Barea is continuing strong play from last game. Not forcing it.

[rimrocker]

When did Ibaka become a sharp shooter?

[sefant77]

Harris taking the last shot, Harris bricking the last shot