Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:02 PM)

Hi and welcome to Game Day. First two games of the series have been amazing, even with the bad ending. Hopefully, the same high quality with a different result tonight. Time for the questions

Charles [via mobile]

The Mavs have been throwing everything, including the kitchen sink, at the thunder. How much trouble are the Mavs in?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:04 PM)

Well, not quite the kitchen sink since they haven't shot a high percentage. Of course they're in some trouble, as they need to win four of five to win the series with at least one on the road (where they have struggled all year), but it's not going to take a whole lot to get them back into the series, and make OKC think about it.

Maniesh (NY)

Is OKC just lucky or Mavs not doing a good job at closing? Please dont say a bit of both.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:07 PM)

Of course it's a bit of both. World is not black and white and neither, generally is NBA Playoff basketball. OKC has made plays and has had some good fortune. The Mavs have been somewhat unlucky, but have made some very bad plays (Kidd entry pass to Carter, Terry foul on Durant, Dirk foul on Ibaka on that and 1)

Ted (Addison)

What can the Mavs do to counter the brainless turnovers that have plagued end of games lately? Do you think they can still win this series? What odds would you give to them advancing to 2nd round.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:08 PM)

Of course they can still win the series. The odds are against them, and as far as eliminating the bad turnovers, just a bit more concentration is in order. Smart play, not the hero play

carlos (highland village)

Coop, why have we not seen more of wright? I though he was going to be good this series, surely he is better then big wood?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:09 PM)

Both Haywood and Wright have struggled migtily. Post season looks a little rich for Wright. Mahinmi has been the best of the 5's

jc (flower mound)

coop, are we going to see the westbrook from last years western conf finals, the player he could not hit a jumper. I sure hope so.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:10 PM)

The Mavs are hoping so, too. Can't let him get comfortable stepping into the jumpers. This is on Delonte West as much as anyone tonight

cf (my house)

coop you got any extra tickets for 2nights game, how about hook up a fan that will actually get out of there chair and scream!. please!!!!!!!!!

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:11 PM)

Get out of your house and get down to the box office. There might be a few laying around a couple of hours before tip off

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Do you think that the Dallas Mavericks is done for the season after the first round?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:12 PM)

I picked the Mavs to win in six in the first round and then lose to the Lakers. I'm willing to stick with that prediction for now

Anthony (Midland, TX)

Whether we like it or not this series is over, my question is what are Mavs other option if Dwill nor Nash would come here in Dallas?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:18 PM)

Can't agree with you on the first point. The games have just been too closely played to make a blanket statement like that. Now if OKC wins tonight we are reaqdy to revisit that in light of history. As for the future, Goran Dragic is my favorite PG available, and that includes the big 2. Williams is hugely talented, but maybe a handful to coach, and Nash gives you nothing defensively. Dragic has shown in Houston that He's got a complete game. He's getting paid by someone

B (Dallas)

Why do the Mavs often times build huge leads, then blow those leads, then get behind in the crucial fourth quarter when it matters most? What can the Mavs do to ensure they win tonight at home?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:20 PM)

Well, there haven't been big leads so far in the series. Their biggest edge has been eight points. Their best chance tonight comes from taking care of things (like we talked about earlier) in crunch time, and getting something from someone outside of the usual suspects. Mavs have not had an outlier game yet. OKC has had a career game from Ibaka, and huge scoring nights from Perkins and Fisher, who are not prone to those.

chan (denver)

Is it time to get cardnial in there, so as galloway says can "thug it up", and get into perkins.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:21 PM)

And who sits as a result of that move?

los (the office)

why has dirk looked so inconsistent, man the old dirk would have knocked down that 3 with like 1:30 remaining in game 2. That would have been ballgame.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:24 PM)

His 3 point FG pct has been off a bit from last year. Under 37 pct this year. And yes, if he makes that shot, it likely would have been a kill shot. Overall though, he's 19-37 from the floor. 20-21 from the line. The Mavs can live with that. They may even need him to take a few more shots

jv74 (Denver)

Besides West stepping up against Westbrook, who is the Mavs X factor to get back in the series?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:25 PM)

As we said, getting something from someone outside of the usual suspects on offense is huge. Would be great if Carter could given them somewhere between 18-20 tonight and shooting a good pct.

ian (the john)

Kinds of stinks that is we still had Chandler we would be up 2-0. Do you think a motivated Odom could have helped us this series? If so with what?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:27 PM)

No guarantee they would be up 2-0, but yes, it would be nice to have him. Instead his team is down 0-2 to Miami. And, yes, a motivated Odom would have been great to have in this series. Unfortunately, it's not happening

Andrew P (Stillwater, OK)

Could Roddy B not provide pretty good if not the best (besides Marion) defense on Russel Westbrook? With his long arms and athleticism

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:29 PM)

If this was simply 1 on 1, maybe we could have that discussion, but it's not. roddy had a chance in Game 2, and while the Mavs did make a huge comeback while he was on theb floor, he had absolutely no contribution to that rally. You're not seeing Roddy in this series unless there is a desperate need to put him in the game

jc (dallas)

What goes down as a worst front office move not resigning Nash or Chandler?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:31 PM)

I'all always defend the Nash move, because Nash was never the player here that he became in Phoenix. And it's not like the Mavs fell off the face of the Earth when nash left. In fact, it allowed for Dirk to fully mature into the superstar he is. The Chandler loss is far more severe because it it occurred at the most important position, and his leadership brought a different dynamic that has never been seen here.

chan (denver)

Let Cardinal get in there for a few minutes, so he can send a message. If you mess with our superstar we will mess with yours. Close line Durant a la Raja Bell did to Kobe a few years ago.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:33 PM)

Again, whose minutes does he take and who will he guard?

matt (mockingbird station)

Carlisie finally gave Roddy a chance and he sure looked lost on defense, will that kid ever get it. He is not a rookie anymore but plays like it.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:35 PM)

He is as Dirk said after Roddy's great game in Utah, "A tease"

chan (denver)

Cardinal can cover Collison, and he can play the 4 and give Dirk and Trix a breather. Have Vince at the 3 and Jet at the 2 so you still have offense.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:39 PM)

Maybe Collison, but I don't want the Mavs wasting time sending messages. And in fact, the series hasn't been overly physical. Maybe a little chippy. Time for them to play their guys who are going to be the difference makers and have them make one more shot

Chuck Cooperstein

  (4:42 PM)

Let's end it there. Can't wait to see what happens tonight. Hope you'll join Brad and me tonight at 8:30, and we'll be back here next week, hopefully talking about preparations for a Game 6.