There were no surprises in Game 1 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks. Oklahoma City was in control the entire time and got an easy win behind a combined 47 points from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Mavericks vs. Thunder, NBA playoff results 2016: Oklahoma City shows Dallas no mercy in 108-70 beatdown
The Thunder simply crushed the Mavericks in Game 1.
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The difference between the top three teams in the West and the rest of the conference was huge during the regular season. That gap was on full display in the first matchup between the Thunder and the Mavericks, when Dallas simply had no chance of even keeping the game close. Oklahoma City started out the game with a 9-0 run that set the tone and things would only go downhill for the Mavericks after that.
By halftime, the Thunder were up 26 points, 59-33. Rick Carlisle already played everyone on his bench and the Thunder had four players in double digits. They dominated in every statistical category and led by as many as 30 points at one point. The outcome of the game was not in question after two quarters.
The Thunder simply kept executing in the third period, killing any hope of a comeback the Mavericks might have had. Westbrook and Durant continued to be in attack mode and the lead grew past 40 points. Things got chippy at times but there was not much excitement of any kind in the second half.
Oklahoma City got a comfortable win at home and sent a message to the Mavericks: they won’t show mercy. It will be interesting to see how Dallas responds in Game 2 but it’s hard to imagine an upset. The difference in talent is just too big.
3 things we learned from the Thunder's blowout win
Serge Ibaka is coming alive at the right time
The good thing about having an easy first-round series is that players who were not performing at peak level have a chance to get ready for tougher challenges. Serge Ibaka had a solid regular season, but was not the dominant two-way force that Oklahoma City needs him to be in order to have a chance of coming out of the West.
In Game 1, Ibaka found his three-point shot and finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. More importantly, he looked like the best version of himself. Even though it happened against an outmatched opponent, that’s a welcomed sight for the Thunder and a scary one of the rest of the West’s contenders.
Enes Kanter is a problem for the Mavericks
Westbrook and Durant are impossible to defend for every team, including the Mavericks. Now that Ibaka is doing better, the Thunder just need one bench player to contribute to ensure a short series. If Game 1 is any indication, Enes Kanter will be able to provide that complementary scoring.
Kanter finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, owning the paint for stretches. Zaza Pachulia hasn't played well in a while and Salah Mejri is a rookie who didn't get off the bench for most of the regular season. JaVale McGee is JaVale McGee. The Mavericks simply have no one who can guard Kanter and keep him off the offensive boards. He should have a great series.
Dirk Nowitzki deserves better
Dirk Nowitzki had 18 points and four rebounds for the game and was by far the best player for the Mavericks. That shouldn't be the case in 2016. It's tough to see Nowitzki still be this productive but not have the right teammates around him to contend. The playoffs would be much more fun if the Mavericks were a true threat, with Dirk filling the role of third option and veteran leader.
It’s really hard to blame Dallas’ front office or ownership for how things have turned out. They tried to get talent ever since breaking up their championship team, sparing no expenses. They were simply spurned by free agents and have not been able to develop homegrown talent. Hopefully they will land a star this summer and give Nowitzki a chance to compete in his final few seasons in the league.
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