03-02-2022, 02:12 PM
(03-02-2022, 10:37 AM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: The Mavs were down with 6 minutes left against the Warriors and allowed 7 points the rest of the way on to a win.
The Mavs were down with 6 minutes left against the Lakers and allowed 4 points the rest of the way on to a win.
The defensive numbers overall have been really great obviously but the most impressive thing to me is when they're doing it. We had a bad 1st quarter against the Warriors and a bad 3rd quarter against the Lakers but this team is showing tons of maturity and resolve by understanding the moments that change and win games. That's a product of not only great coaching, but also experience in meaningful basketball games which the bulk of this roster has gained together over the last few years.
This is a really good observation. Shutdown defense, down the stretch of the 4th quarter, is what keyed the Mavs title.
When you can defend like that, the pressure goes way up on the opponent. The basket starts to shrink. On the other end, this team is being built to have multiple players attacking the rim. Plus, the scoring pressure lessens, when the opponent isn't able to score.
This is how the good teams win. They keep the game close for 3 1/2 quarters, then up their intensity, grab their win, and go home. Credit to JKidd for creating that approach and mindset, with essentially the same players as before.
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