Mavericks are exposing a harsh Lu Dort truth that Thunder fans will never admit

Last night, the Dallas Mavericks did the unthinkable once again.

Despite being without seven players due to injury, including Luka Doncic, Dereck Lively II, Klay Thompson, and Naji Marshall, the Mavericks were able to take down the No. 1 team in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder, by a score of 121-115 on the road and improve to 24-21 on the year. Dallas won the season series 3-1 against the Thunder, and there is just something about Oklahoma City that brings the best out of the Mavericks. Three of OKC's eight total losses this season have been against the Mavs, and Dallas is embracing everything that comes with this rivalry head-on.

Dating back to last season's playoffs, the Mavs have defeated the Thunder in seven of their last nine matchups, and this heated rivalry is turning into one of the league's best. P.J. Washington is leading the charge of this rivalry, as he always brings his A-game against the Thunder as shown by his dominant 22-point and 19-rebound performance last night, and on the other side of that rivalry stands Luguentz Dort of the Thunder.

Mavericks fans are fed up with Lu Dort's questionable tactics

Dort is widely known as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league due to his physicality, effort, and technique, but Mavericks fans have taken exception to his playstyle over the last year or so. His hustle, energy, and on-ball ferociousness make him someone that any contender would love to have on their roster, but there are certain negative parts about his game that seem to get amplified any time that he plays against Dallas.

Dort's physical style of defense and all-around play oftentimes turns into recklessness, and it can even be argued that his recklessness caused Luka Doncic to get injured in the playoff series last season on a play in which they were fighting for a loose ball. His nonstop energy and physicality have helped him become one of the better Doncic defenders in the NBA, as he often face-guards him and pesters him continuously, but some of his antics are what have Mavericks fans fed up every time these two teams touch the floor.

His off-ball flopping when fighting through screens has become one of his calling cards, as he has mastered the art of drawing offensive fouls, consequently killing the other team's offensive possession. He took his questionable screen navigation to another level on Thursday night when he made contact with Daniel Gafford's groin when fighting through his screen at the top of the key, which caused him to pick up a Flagrant 2 foul and an ejection.

It appeared that Dort's flying hand and grab of Gafford's groin area was intentional, and this further confirms Mavericks fans' theory that he tends to make dirty plays.

Dort's ejection was just one of the many plays from last night's game that had Mavs fans up in arms, as his flop when defending Kyrie Irving on the wing drew some eyes as he flung his 220-pound frame to the floor to draw a foul. He was also involved in a play in the first half when fighting through a Gafford screen in which his leg nearly made contact with the ball handler (Irving) and sent Gafford flying to the floor.

His defensive style is unique, and there are certain aspects of his game that get taken over the top. His screen navigation and flopping are what have fans most up in arms, and as long as the referees allow his flopping, the recklessness that comes along with it will continue.

There were several instances in last season's playoffs in which Dort was involved in some questionable plays due to his abnormal screen navigation, including a shot at Dereck Lively II's groin in Game 5 and flying knee into Doncic's body in Game 3, and Mavericks fans are fed up with it. Dort also was involved in a questionable play in Game 1 when he tripped Doncic after a 3-point attempt, and the proof is in the pudding when observing his game.

While Dort's defense and intensity are undeniable, the line between physicality and recklessness continues to be blurred every time he plays against the Mavs.