GAME 7: ORL (2-6) @ DAL (5-2) | 107-106 win

[StepBackJay]

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https://twitter.com/JoshuaBRobbins/statu...2934280193

I honestly would love to see Boban get the start. Force Orlando to play against a 7'3, and 7'4 front court. Aaron Gordon and Khem Birch would have their hands full, especially considering they could also start DFS to guard Gordon and Luka being Luka. 

Luka 6'8
Curry 6'3
DFS 6'7
KP 7'3
Boban 7'4 

Average height 6'8!!

I wouldn't mind the occasional start as a tone-setter but I think Rick likes to use him as a counter to disrupt the game which is probably Boban's best usage. He is never going to be a 30 mpg guy, he probably doesn't even have the stamina to last more than 15 mpg so off the bench is probably the way to go. I would love Maxi in the starting lineup.

My lineup is: Luka, Wright, DFS, KP, Maxi - lots of length and defense. Once Wright gets more comfortable with his role in the offense (KP as well) you will get a lot of easy buckets. DFS and Maxi are streaky shooters, altho they are getting wide open shots so I would argue that makes them more reliable. I don't think we are totally dependent on 3s with those two knowing that we will get easy buckets and transition buckets from defense.

[Branduil]

Wright and DFS shouldn't start together. Better to put Curry or Brunson in the starting spot IMO.

[SportPsychMav]

Wright and DFS shouldn't start together. Better to put Curry or Brunson in the starting spot IMO.

Brunson needs to start in my opinion or he gets annoying forcing his things. At best Luka starts off the ball in order to get Jacked Jalen going. 

Keeps Luka fresh and Jalen's psyche in check.

Sometimes it's about the best overall setup of the team and not maximizing one player.

[dirkfansince1998]

Wright and DFS shouldn't start together. Better to put Curry or Brunson in the starting spot IMO.

RC will probably continue to change the starting lineup depending on matchups and the teams needs.
With Wright prefering to come of the bench the Mavs need another ballhandling guard in the starting five. In this case I prefer Curry over Brunson because he gives Luka even better spacing to work with. Curry obviously isn´t the most physical player and a guy like DFS seems to be a good fit next to him.

Start Curry/DFS
Bench Wright/Brunson

I actually really like the Wright/Brunson duo. Reminds me of a younger version of the good old Barea/Harris duo that dominated opposing 2nd units.
For what it´s worth Wright/Brunson is currently the best two-man combination. Obviously still a small sample size but in the 68 minutes both shared the floor the Mavs are outscoring opponents by 24 points.

[matt6715]

I'm a little worried about Vucevic going supernova on Dwight Powell to start the game

[ClutchDirk]

https://twitter.com/ByTimReynolds/status...0794704896

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https://twitter.com/JoshuaBRobbins/statu...9206966275

[fifteenth]

Start Curry/DFS
Bench Wright/Brunson

I'm coming around on these combos as well. 

I don't care if Wright would prefer to come off the bench. I think Luka and Wright could figure it out, especially if Rick makes sure that Wright gets to bring the ball up and initiate offense some (which could actually help Luka). 

BUT!! Curry might be better with Luka and Wright might be better with Brunson. 

Curry can handle the ball but doesn't have to in order to be productive. A Luka/Curry ball handling ratio could be something like 80/20 or 90/10 and I think Curry would be fine with that. 

I could see Brunson and Wright sharing ball handling at more of a 50/50 split which would hopefully allow each of them to feel involved and get into a groove.

[ClutchDirk]

https://twitter.com/DwainPrice/status/11...3724126209

[Kammrath]

Start Curry/DFS
Bench Wright/Brunson

I'm coming around on these combos as well. 

I don't care if Wright would prefer to come off the bench. I think Luka and Wright could figure it out, especially if Rick makes sure that Wright gets to bring the ball up and initiate offense some (which could actually help Luka). 

BUT!! Curry might be better with Luka and Wright might be better with Brunson. 

Curry can handle the ball but doesn't have to in order to be productive. A Luka/Curry ball handling ratio could be something like 80/20 or 90/10 and I think Curry would be fine with that. 

I could see Brunson and Wright sharing ball handling at more of a 50/50 split which would hopefully allow each of them to feel involved and get into a groove.

I am 100% in on this.

[Jommybone]

Here’s the thing, though. At this point, "better with Luka" = better. Period. It’s not the most important thing. It’s the only thing. The new era is upon us. I just hope it gets a better name than "Luka Magic."

[SportPsychMav]

Here’s the thing, though. At this point, "better with Luka" = better. Period. It’s not the most important thing. It’s the only thing. The new era is upon us. I just hope it gets a better name than "Luka Magic."

What he does they call Luka magic. They don't call him that and I agree neither that not matador is great.

I actually like Luka 'razzmatazz' Doncic?. 

Wonderboy is obviously outdated.

Neo could work as he manipulates the game like Neo the matrix.


Luka "Daze" Doncic

[fifteenth]

Cool Hand Luka

[ClutchDirk]

Cool Hand Luka

+77

https://media.giphy.com/media/3j0XXwCEgO.../giphy.gif

[j0Shi]

Things to watch:

• Orlando is another team you're supposed to beat as a Western Conference playoff contender. Their only wins came against the lousy Knicks and Cavs. Plus they're on a b2b, lost @OKC yesterday.
  
• Magic bring the worst offense in the league, they have yet to score 100 in a game.  Mavs not superb defensively, but maybe try to not let them have a breakout game. Magic will regress to the mean because nobody can be that bad, but they overall also do not take the best shots.
  
• Despite their struggles, they have some quality at the frontcourt with Vuc, Gordon, and Isaac. Hope Maxi is available, because these are mobile bigs that can shoot from the outside. Not an ideal matchup for Boban imho.
  
• Fultz is starting for them now. Still not the player the 76ers thought they were drafting, but he is at least competent for now. Maybe Fournier is the backcourt player to watch though. Comes off a good World Cup, but couldn't quite stay hot for the NBA season. Still a streaky shooter. Also known Mavs killer DJ Augustin comes off the bench.
  
• KP watch continues: Will he look a bit more integrated in the offense? Should be a good matchup for him in theory. Magic do not have somebody that should give him a hard time on defense or offense.
  
• LeBron achieved his third triple double the other night. Will Luka follow?
  
• Not much to complain about currently with the Mavs other than THJ taking bad shots. Ideally Justin Jackson would deserve a bit more playing time over him, but it's not like spot #9 and #10 in the rotation will move the needle a lot.
  

[ClutchDirk]

https://twitter.com/OPPMagicBlog/status/...7777094658

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https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1...6843326464

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[ItsGoTime]

https://twitter.com/OPPMagicBlog/status/...7777094658

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https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1...6843326464

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Need another one that says, I'm very tall for my age. The two best commercials he's done to date.

[Hypermav]

Just so the Mavs do not die by a thousand layups.  I "fear" good shooting teams more than good defensive teams.  The Mavs offense can overcome most any defensive effort imo.  It is the hot bombs away teams that annoy me and are the any given night danger.

[ClutchDirk]

https://twitter.com/Magic_PR/status/1192134844731592704

[TheCustodian]

It feels like forever since our last game. Its game day! 

Hopefully we see a bit more Justin Jackson tonight. Not sure who he'd take minutes from, maybe THJ, but he hasn't been that bad in the time he's on the court.

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/NickVanExit/status/1...8552812545