Thunder Coach Identifies Crack in Mavs' Armor They Desperately Need to Exploit

The Oklahoma City Thunder are now facing elimination after letting the Dallas Mavericks get to three wins first in their second-round series in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Thunder started the series on the right foot, dominating the Mavs in a 117-95 victory at home.

Their torrid 3-point shooting in the series opener led the Thunder to that victory, as they shot 16/35 (45.7%) from behind the arc.

However, they haven't recaptured that kind of outside shooting since. From Games 2 to 5, the Thunder have shot a brutal 29.1 percent from deep. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault still believes that his team should just keep on taking the 3-point shots that the Mavericks seem to be tempting them to launch.

“We were the best 3-point shooting team in the league for much of the season," Daigneault said (via Clemente Almanza of the Thunder Wire). "This team is taking away the rim at all costs, parking their bigs at the basket. So 3-pointers are available and we have to find them and take them.”

Back in the regular season, the Thunder were second in the entire league with a 38.5 3-point shooting percentage. And during the first round against the New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City posted an excellent 38.7 percent success rate from downtown.

May 11, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during game three of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

With their season on the line in Game 6 in Dallas, Daigneault can only hope that his snipers find their mark and help Oklahoma City force a Game 7.