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Jason Kidd hits Luka Doncic, Mavericks with reality check right after Game 3 win vs Thunder

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Scotty White | Last updated 5/11/24

The Dallas Mavericks didn’t get off to a strong start in their recent series against the Oklahoma City Thunder as they dropped game one by over 20 points. However, they are now in control of the series after three games. The Mavericks bounced back in game two and got a huge win on the road in that one, and then the series shifted over to Dallas. Game three was on Saturday, and the Mavericks beat the Thunder in a close one, 105-101, and they are now up 2-1 in the series.

Things weren’t looking great for the Mavericks after they got blown out in game one, but this team has done a tremendous job of taking that first punch and staying on their feet. Winning in game two was massive, and defending home court in game three was huge as well. The Thunder are the top seed in West, but they are in serious trouble right now.

Game four will be back in Dallas and that will be a huge chance for the Mavericks to take complete control of the series. They are in a good spot right now, but head coach Jason Kidd knows that there is still a lot of work to be done.

“We haven’t done anything,” Jason Kidd said after Saturday’s game three win, according to a tweet from Noah Weber. “We have to stay hungry.”

Jason Kidd and the Mavericks have the right mentality. They are in a great position right now, but they have a lot of work to do. If they want to find a way to win this series, they have to stay hungry like he said, and treat the rest of this series like they are facing elimination.

Mavericks now have home-court advantage

May 7, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd watches his team play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of game one of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. © Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the Mavericks are up 2-1 in the series, they have home-court advantage. As the one seed, the series started at home for the Thunder and they got four home games while the Mavericks only had three. Now, the Mavericks are up in the series and both teams have two home games left. Dallas is in complete control right now, and they have a chance to go up 3-1 when game four rolls around, and they will be at home for that one as well.

Going up 3-1 in the series would be huge for the Mavericks. We are all familiar with the famous LeBron James meme of him wearing sunglasses with the stat regarding how teams have fared when being down 3-1. James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were able to get it done in the NBA Finals that season, but it is pretty rare to see. Once you get a 3-1 lead in the NBA playoffs, you have a very good chance at advancing.

The other series happening in the Western Conference right now is the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. the defending champs, the Denver Nuggets. The Timberwolves won the first two games on the road, and it looked like they might run away with the series. However, the Nuggets won game three on the road on Friday night, and now a huge game four matchup looms. The winner of this Mavericks-Thunder series will get the winner of that series in the Western Conference Finals.

Game four between the Mavericks and the Thunder will take place on Monday night from Dallas at 9:30 ET, and the game will be airing on TNT. Dallas is currently favored by 2.5 points.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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