SUMMARY
- The Dallas Mavericks lost Game 1 of the Conference semi-finals to the OKC Thunder.
- Shaq believes that PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford should step up for the Mavs.
After the most recent game between the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder, Shaquille O’Neal discussed who needs to step up for the Mavericks to win this series. As most NBA fans should be aware, the Mavs and Thunder have matched up for the Western Conference semi-finals. Both teams defeated the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans in the first round.
Shaquille O’Neal thinks PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford are crucial to the Dallas Mavericks
Both Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic have been playing quite consistently this postseason. As a result, the rest of the members of the Dallas Mavericks roster are being scrutinized for not stepping up to the occasion when they are needed to do so. When Shaquille O’Neal was asked to name 2 other players on the Mavs who will be integral towards winning this series, O’Neal went with PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford.
“2 guys? That’s PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. PJ Washington can definitely hit the 3 when Luka and Kyrie penetrate and Gafford can get some easy lobs at the basket when they break down the defense and get to the hole. And they can do it…and Gafford had 16.”
Although the Mavs have more experience and talent on their roster when compared to the OKC Thunder, this matchup has been quite one-sided this season.
The OKC Thunder have lost just 1 out of 4 matchups against the Mavs this season
It turns out that the OKC Thunder have had the Dallas Mavericks’ number all season long. Since both teams are from the same conference, they faced off 4 times this season and the Thunder won 3 of those matchups. Their most recent regular season game also ended with OKC defeating the Mavs with a significant margin of 135-86.