Semifinals Game 2 Pregame Primer: Thunder (1-0) vs. Mavericks (0-1)

Game Info

NBA.com preview | Tip-off: 8:30pm, Paycom Center | Broadcast: ESPN

MVP runners-up. SGA and Luka Doncic finished a close #2 and #3, respectively, in the 2024 Most Valuable Player award voting behind Nikola Jokic. That's not a snub; that's being included with incredible company. If Shai continues to outplay both in the postseason, he'll have an early jump on even more recognition in 2025.
Wigging out. Mr. Presti's Neighborhood picked the savior of basketball for this game's imagery. If Aaron Wiggins gets a much deserved increase in playing time and OKC loses, don't call it a curse.
Shutting down? Lu Dort continued to terrorize the other team's primary option these playoffs, holding Luka to 19 points on 19 shots in Game 1. Doncic isn't playing at full strength, but Dort's tenacity isn't making his life any easier. I'm dubious Luka won't figure out what it takes to skew the matchup back in his favor over the course of this series, but let's hope it takes more than two games for him to do so.

Thunder by:

Don't call it a jinx.

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