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

[omahen]

Tough news about Lively's mom. I lost mine when I was in my 60s and it hurt, so losing his mom while he's just 20 has got to leave a big hole.

Regarding the Clips...

Do we just automatically dump our (very successful) starting lineup and immediately try to match up? Is it possible we make them react to what we do well instead? DAL rotation has worked well against big and small, young and old, green and experienced, teams. Doesn't the coaching staff need to see how it plays out before doing something that messes with the developing chemistry? Reacting too early feels like some of the Avery Johnson coaching moves.

I would be extremely surprised if Mavs wouldn't start with what have been their best five last stretch of the season. Defensive assignments will be interesting for me to observe. From the Mavs side I fully expect Gafford on Zubac and PJ on Kawhi. Luka will be probably on Mann. Harden is their nominal playmaker, but is smaller than George. So do you put Irving on him or George? Harden/Zubac PnR would create a lot of tough mismatches for Mavs. Or do perhaps Mavs put Luka on George and Kyrie on Mann?

On the other side it was usually Mann guarding Luka, but I am not sure he can be a match for a play-off Luka. Much smaller and weaker. Westbrook was also trying to be ultra aggresive on Luka in past games. Tucker is probably to slow to be able to efficiently defend him. They might try Theiss. If Clippers put one of their stars on him, he will just run high PnR as those guys don't really fight through screens. The big question is, will Clippers put Zubac on either DJJ or PJ immediately or try some traditional defense first. I am expecting they start hiding him immediately. I am a bit affraid of the aggresive Clippers bench with Westbrook and Theiss and their small ball with Theiss at center. He is always ultra aggresive and plays with huge energy. Sort of as a bit shorter version than Gafford. He can also hit a three. Other than perhaps Mann - which Clipper can guard Kyrie 1on1?

I am also interested which teams center will be played off the floor sooner