DALLAS (AP) — Thunder coach Scott Brooks studied the tape of Dirk Nowitzki’s 48-point performance in the opener of the Western Conference finals looking for clues of how his club could do a better job in Game 2 against the Mavericks on Thursday night.
That’s when the frustration really settled in.
Of the 12 shots Nowitzki made, nine were closely guarded. Brooks concluded that Nowitzki just had one of those nights that superstars have, making almost everything he put up and getting to the foul line when he didn’t.
So Brooks said Wednesday he’s not planning on double- or triple-teaming Nowitzki, or trying to keep him from getting the ball. Brooks is going to encourage his guys to foul Nowitzki less and hope the big German’s aim is off.
