Dirk to opt out of contract

In an interview today with BaD Radio on The Ticket, Dirk Nowitzki revealed that he plans to opt out of the final year of his 3 year, $25 million deal. He of course has no intention of going elsewhere and will re-sign with the Mavs for perhaps a two year deal.
"Ever since after the championship, we've been basically a first-round exit. We've been a seven, eight seed. We've only won a few playoff games, and obviously the goal was to compete at the highest level in my last couple of years," Dirk said in the interview. "So there is some moving to do, some thinking, some putting our heads together the next few weeks heading into free agency, heading into the draft. So this is just one move that hopefully starts a chain reaction for us to get better again, to compete really at a high level. We'll see how it goes."
Dirk reiterated that it would be special for him to play 20 years with the same franchise, something only Kobe Bryant has done. A new two year deal would get him to the 20 year mark. Dirk turns 38 on June 19th.

Mavs Exit Interviews Highlights

Here are some select quotes from key Mavericks players as they met the media today before beginning their off-season.

"I definitely won't retire. That's out of the question. I felt great this year."
Dirk

"The best thing to happen to me was to play with this guy, number 41."

Zaza Pachulia

 

"Dallas is home to me...I feel like I have a lot of unfinished business here..."

Chandler Parsons

 

"I ain't gonna court him. Ain't gonna be no wining and dining. Just bring your ass back."

Wesley Matthews on Parsons' upcoming free agency.

 

"I'm just very appreciative of the way this organization handled my development."

Justin Anderson

 

"Overall, I feel like I had a pretty good season. ... But I'm not an individual guy. I'm a team guy."

Raymond Felton 

"This has been a great year for me, as far as just being happy and enjoying basketball again."

Deron Williams

 

"This year, even though we lost in the first round, I think those guys competed like champions."

Rick Carlisle 

"In 18 years, I've never been prouder of a group. ... These guys gave it everything they had."

Donnie Nelson

 

In injury news, Deron Williams will have surgery to repair his sport hernia while J.J. Barea will have a knee scope to adress his right medial meniscus.  Meanwhile, Devin Harris will have two surgeries, one to fix his injured left foot and another to repair a torn thumb ligament.

 

Mavericks at Thunder: WCQF Game 5 Preview

Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder
Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 5
Thunder lead series 3-1
Mon. Apr., 25, 7:00 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena
TV: Ch. 21, TNT
Line: Thunder by 14.5

Series Schedule and Results
Game 1 at OKC: Sat. Apr. 16, Thunder 108 Mavs 70
Game 2 at OKC: Mon. Apr. 18, Mavs 85 Thunder 84
Game 3 at Dallas: Thu. Apr. 21, Thunder 131 Mavs 102
Game 4 at Dallas: Sat. Apr. 23, Thunder 119 Mavs 108
Game 5 at OKC: Mon. Apr. 25 at 7:00, Ch. 21, TNT
Game 6 at Dallas: Thu. Apr. 28 at 8:30, Ch. 21, TNT (if necessary)
Game 7 at OKC: Sat. Apr. 30 at TBA, Ch. 21, TNT (if necessary)

Playoff Team Stats

Mavs
Off. Rating: 97.6 (11th)
Def. Rating: 118.2 (14th)
Point Differential: -19.2
Thunder
Offense: 118.2 (3rd)
Defense: 97.6 (6th)
Point Differential: +19.2

Projected Starters
Mavs

PG: J.J. Barea
SG: Raymond Felton
SF: Wesley Matthews
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Zaza Pachulia
Thunder
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Andre Roberson
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Serge Ibaka
C: Steven Adams

Playoff Team Leaders

Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 19.5
RPG: Nowitzki, 5.5
APG: Barea, 5.3
PER: Nowitzki, 18.6
Thunder
PPG: Durant, 24.3
RPG: Kanter, 8.8
APG: Westbrook, 11.8
PER: Kanter, 37.8

Of Note

• The Mavericks' injury report is a long one. J.J. Barea is probable with his groin inury. Salah Mejri is questionable after injuring his hip in game 4 and Deron Williams (sports hernia) and David Lee (plantar fasciitis) have been ruled out for the remainder of the series.
• The Mavericks are 4-5 in elimination games with Rick Carlisle as coach.
• In 144 career playoff games Dirk has scored at least 10 points 141 times, at least 20 points 108 times, at least 30 points 46 times, at least 40 points 7 times and 50 points once. 
• In the three Thunder wins in the series, Enes Kanter has averaged 21.7 points and 9.0 rebounds and shot 83.3% from the field.
• Only 9 teams in NBA history have overcame a 3-1 series deficit in a best-of-7-series. The last to do it was Houston against the Clippers in last year's Western Conference Semifinals.

Mavericks vs. Thunder: WCQF Game 3 Preview

Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 3
Series Tied 1-1
Thu. Apr., 21, 6:00 at the AAC
TV: Ch. 21, TNT
Line: Thunder by 8.5

Series Schedule and Results
Game 1 at OKC: Sat. Apr. 16, Thunder 108 Mavs 70
Game 2 at OKC: Mon. Apr. 18, Mavs 85 Thunder 84
Game 3 at Dallas: Thu. Apr. 21 at 6:00, Ch. 21, TNT
Game 4 at Dallas: Sat. Apr. 23 at 7:00, Ch. 21, ESPN
Game 5 at OKC: Mon. Apr. 25 at 7:00, Ch. 21, TNT
Game 6 at Dallas: Thu. Apr. 28 at TBA, Ch. 21, TBA (if necessary)
Game 7 at OKC: Sat. Apr. 30 at TBA, Ch. 21, TNT (if necessary)

Playoff Team Stats

Mavs

Off. Rating: 83.9 (15th)
Def. Rating: 104.0 (9th)
Point Differential: -18.5
Thunder
Offense: 104.0 (8th)
Defense: 83.9 (2nd)
Point Differential: +18.5

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Raymond Felton
SF: Wesley Matthews
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Zaza Pachulia
Thunder
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Andre Roberson
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Serge Ibaka
C: Steven Adams

Playoff Team Leaders

Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 17.5
RPG: Felton, 7.0
APG: Williams, 4.0
PER: Mejri, 16.0
Thunder
PPG: Durant, 22.0
RPG: Kanter, 10.5
APG: Westbrook, 8.5
PER: Ibaka, 28.9


Of Note

• Despite suffering a bone bruise on his right knee during Game 2, Dirk is expected to play in Game 3.
• Deron Williams will once again be a gametime decision due to his sports hernia injury while J.J. Barea (groin) and David Lee (plantar fasciitis) are improving and might be able to play.
• This is one of only two series that is currently tied 1-1. Pacers and Raptors is the other.
• With 11 rebounds in Game 2, Raymond Felton was the first Mavs guard to have a double-digit rebound game in the playoffs since Jason Kidd had 10 rebounds against Denver in game 4 of the West Semifinals in 2009.
• In shooting 7-33 from the field in game 2, Kevin Durant missed the most shots in a playoff game since Michael Jordan also missed 26 shots (9-35) in Game 4 of the 1997 East Finals vs. Miami.
  

Mavs Injury News

According to Rick Carlisle, Dirk suffered a bone bruise on his right knee during yesterday's game. He will be listed as day-to-day  but the team is hopeful he will play in Game 3 on Thursday. Carlisle also said Deron Williams' (sports hernia) status for Game 3 is uncertain while J.J. Barea (groin) and David Lee (plantar fasciitis) are improving but their status will updated at a later time.

Mavericks 85 Thunder 84: WCQF Game 2 Recap

The Lead
The Masking Tape Mavs bounce back from a Game 1 beatdown in a big way with a thrilling victory to even the series.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Felton, 21
Rebounds: Felton, 11
Assists: Williams, 5
+-: Harris, Mejri, +18
Thunder
Points: Durant, 21
Rebounds: Westbrook, 14
Assists: Westbrook, 6
+-: Ibaka, Westbrook, +4

Game Ball
Raymond Felton
21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 8-16 FG

X-Factor
Deron Williams
13 points, 5 assists, 5-9 FG, 3-5 3PT

Play of the Game
With the Mavs holding a two point lead late in the fourth quarter, Wesley Matthews chased down a loose ball after a Kevin Durant missed shot and then raced for a contested layup to put Dallas up 4 with 14.4 seconds left.
Link

Stat of the Game
The Mavericks are now 6-1 this season in games following a loss by 20 points or more.

Of Note

• The game ended with a wild finish as the Thunder raced down court after a Felton missed free throw, trailing by one. First, Durant's shot from in close was blocked by Justin Anderson. Next Russell Westbrook missed a putback attempt. Steven Adams followed with a made putback that came right after the buzzer as the Mavs held on to win.
• Deron Williams was listed as doubtful prior to the game with a sports hernia. He however played through the pain and scored 13 points, 11 coming in the first quarter. He did not play in the last quarter and a half.
• The Mavs held Durant to an abysmal shooting night as the Thunder superstar went 7-33 from the field. Westbrook struggled as well, shooting 8-22.
• This was only the Mavs second road playoff win since winning the 2011 championship. They won Game 2 of the first round in San Antonio two years ago.
• The Mavericks' two rookies both came up big. Anderson had 6 points, 5 rebounds and that monster block of Durant. Salah Mejri chipped in with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 blocks.
• The Mavs top two rebounders were both guards. Felton had 11 boards while Devin Harris had 7 rebounds.
• According to ESPN the Mavs, who were 14 point underdogs, are the biggest underdogs to win a playoff game in the last 20 years.

Quote of Note
"We let 'em know we're here to fight. They're obviously the heavy favorite, but we let 'em know it's not going to be an easy walkover."
Dirk

Tweet of the Night

pic.twitter.com/4nsrl4Ym4G

— PÎÊRRĘ (@JaValeMcGee34) April 19, 2016

Next Up
The series shifts South as the Mavs and Thunder will face of in Game 3 at the AAC, Thursday at 6:00.

Mavericks vs. Thunder: Series Preview

6. Dallas Mavericks (42-40) vs. 3. Oklahoma City Thunder (55-27)
Western Conference Quartefinals

Schedule
Game 1 at OKC: Sat. Apr. 16 at 8:30, Ch.21, ESPN
Game 2 at OKC: Mon. Apr. 18 at 7:00, Ch. 21, TNT
Game 3 at Dallas: Thu. Apr. 21 at 6:00, Ch. 21, TNT
Game 4 at Dallas: Sat. Apr. 23 at 7:00, Ch. 21, ESPN
Game 5 at OKC: Mon. Apr. 25 at TBA, Ch. 21, TBA (if necessary)
Game 6 at Dallas: Thu. Apr. 28 at TBA, Ch. 21, TBA (if necessary)
Game 7 at OKC: Sat. Apr. 30 at TBA, Ch. 21, TNT (if necessary)

2015-16 Matchups
Nov. 22 at OKC
Thunder 117 Mavs 114
Jan. 13 at OKC
Thunder 108 Mavs 89
Jan. 22 at Dallas
Thunder 109 Mavs 106
Feb. 24 at Dallas
Thunder 116 Mavs 103

All-Time Regular Season Results
Sonics-Thunder 77 Mavs 70

All-Time Playoff Results
1984 West Quaterfinals
Mavs 3 Sonics 2
1987 West Quartefinals
Sonics 3 Mavs 1
2011 West Finals
Mavs 4 Thunder 1
2012 West Quarterfinals
Thunder 4 Mavs 0

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 104.8 (10th)
Def. Rating: 104.3 (16h)
Point Differential: -0.3
Thunder
Offense: 109.9 (2nd)
Defense: 103.0 (12th)
Point Differential: +7.3

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Justin Anderson
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Zaza Pachulia
Thunder
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Andre Roberson
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Serge Ibaka
C: Steven Adams

Team Leaders

Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 18.3
RPG: Pachulia, 9.4
APG: Williams, 5.8
PER: Nowitzki, 19.0
Thunder
PPG: Durant, 28.2
RPG: Durant, 8.2
APG: Westbrook, 10.4
PER: Durant, 28.2

Of Note

• The Mavericks are in the playoffs for the 15th time in 16 seasons. They made it only 6 times in their first 20 years of existence and went 10 years without an appearance (1991-2000) 
• The Mavs have lost 3 straight first round series since winning the 2011 championship. They got swept by the Thunder in 2012, lost to the Spurs in 7 in 2014 and lost to the Rockets in 5 last year. They are 1-8 in road games in those 3 series.
• Prior to getting swept in the season series this year by the Thunder, the Mavs had taken 5 out of 6 from OKC. Prior to that they had lost 7 in a row to them.
• J.J. Barea (groin) and Devin Harris (thumb) are expected to play in Game 1 after both missed the regular season finale. David Lee (plantar fasciitis) is not expected to play.
• Dirk (25.4 points, 10.2 rebounds) is one of only 4 players in NBA history to average 25 points and 10 rebounds per game for their playoff career. Bob Pettit, Elgin Baylor and Hakeem Olajuwon are the others.
• Russell Westbrook had 18 triple-doubles this season, tying Magic Johnson in 1981-82 for the most triple-doubles in nearly 50 years.
• In 3 games against the Thunder this year, Salah Mejri totaled 24 points, 16 rebounds and 7 blocks in 42 minutes. He blocked both Durant and Westbrook in key moments of those games.

Prediction
Just making the playoffs this season was a huge accomplishment for the Mavericks. Winning a series will prove far more difficult. They are at a huge talent deficit against the Thunder that is only exasperated by the absence of Chandler Parsons and other assorted injuries to key players like Barea, Harris, and Lee. Rick Carlisle will have a big coaching advantage over playoff newcomer Billy Donovan. That could be engough to take a game and if things go really right maybe 2, but Durant and Westbrook and company will be too much for this gutty Mavs bunch to handle.
Thunder in 5