MAVS NEWS: Luka Is Hurt, But is Trudging On | DLive's Mom Passes Away| Maxi OUT

[DanSchwartzgan]

I really think we're working through things all game until Kidd puts in a closing lineup and then we turn it up and in those closing moments we have looked dominant.

I agree with this.  I'm a huge Green fan and would normally be wigged about Kidd not starting him.  But he's getting close to 30 minutes and is part of the most important lineup (which in the end is what matters).

I'd probably go a step further and say there is a priority on bench play when Luka is out.  That means some of our 'firepower' has to be held out of the Luka/Kyrie lineups so that they are available in times when Luka or both Luka and Kyrie are out.  That means Luka is going to have to hold his own during certain stretches when he's with the worst of our pieces so that the best of our pieces are available for other times.

Ultimately, we have to win more segments by a wider margin than the segments we lose and then close strong.  There are multiple ways to win segments.  You can certainly put all of your studs in together to start the game, but then your bench may lose leads and momentum every time they go in.  Or, you play something along the lines of the lineups game that Kidd appears to be playing.  Time will tell.