(06-07-2024, 08:28 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I’m not ready to get into the what ifs of next year yet, but I agree with this assessment of game one. During the game, it felt like the Celtics were absolutely annihilating the Mavs defense, but the score wasn’t crazy in the end, and the percentages look about average. I think it was possibly a pretty decent effort, defensively, given the emotionality of game 1 on their home court. I’m not sure we can expect much better in the series, and in fact, I bet the Celtics have a couple of much more effective offensive games in them.

The real problem was the Dallas offense. I swear, if it weren’t for garbage time, I am not sure the Mavs would have broken 80. Luka got some Luka shots, and even missed some that he normally makes, and maligned as Kyrie was in the game thread, I thought he created a lot of good looks for himself. They just didn’t go in. However, none of the Mavs team offensive actions amounted to diddly squat in this game. It was complete dominance by the Celtics defense for about 38 of the 48 minutes. PJ Washington had some nice moments of exploiting mismatches and playing hard in the paint, but that was kind of part of the problem, because time and time again we saw the Mavs doing things they don’t normally do on the offensive side of the ball. That’s extremely concerning, because it tells me they were reacting instead of implementing a plan.

Gafford and Lively were both pretty bad, defensively, but most of us expected that. We all hope they can find a way for those guys to contribute to the series on defense, but that hope is based on how important they are to the Mavs offense. The thing is, in game one, they did not contribute on offense. The screens weren’t as effective. They were both abysmal on the offensive glass. They were a non-factor in the screen roll game, which was concerning. Dallas basically acquiesced to Boston’s desire to take that away without even testing it. That really, really needs to change in game two, at least for Lively. If neither of those guys are playing well on at least one side of the court, the Mavs’ rotation no longer makes any sense, whatsoever. And, if neither of them are rebounding, or freeing up anyone on screens (forget about scoring), what even is the point of TRYING to make it work with them on defense? Big yikes on that. Interested to see how things play out in game two.

I couldn’t believe my eyes with Porziņģis. I have been harder on him than most, but I will be damned if he didn’t affect the game on defense much more overtly than Gobert did at any point of the Minnesota series. I have to believe that this was just something Dallas was unprepared for, and that he will never seem that dominant again in the series. If I didn’t believe that, I might not be able to force myself to keep watching, because there are very few players in the NBA I dislike as much as Kristaps Porziņģis. I am fine with him getting all of those post touches, because I don’t care what the stats say about his season – that will end up not being a plus for Boston by the end of the series. In fact, I think Dallas found something in the second half by switching Luka onto him. But, if he really is going to affect the game on defense, that is going to be a particularly tough way for me to stomach the Mavs losing this series.

I said something like this in the game thread, but the really concerning thing was that Boston played exactly how they wanted to, exactly how they have been playing all season, on both ends of the court. It felt like Dallas was searching for their identity in this series for pretty much the entire first half. Boston is clearly going to isolate Luka in space far more than any other team has been able to do this postseason, and that’s scary, but the scariest thing is I kind of felt like the Dallas plan was for Luka to isolate Boston players in space, and it didn’t really seem like they found one he could be effective against, other than the Prichard minutes, which Luka dominated thoroughly. Pritchard will not play enough for that to be a significant part of their plan, so they have got to find something on offense against Boston’s top six that’s advantageous. So far, I’ve seen nothing that remotely qualifies.

Very sobering game one, but it is only one game. Time for Kidd to earn that extension they’ve already given him.

MAVS IN 6!

(06-07-2024, 12:26 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: Right now I struggle to come up with possible changes. What can the Mavs do to create easier looks. Is there a way to go after Horford and KP that doesn't involve PJ or DJJ screening. Is there a way to exploit the height advantage in the paint if the Celtics continue to guard Lively/Gafford with Tatum (Tatum hasn't been as good on offense but he is the key on defense).
Can they find a money play like the double drag screen against the Wolves.

Would probably try to involve Kyrie and Luka in the screen action. Celtics can switch guard/guard screens but if it a double drag or spain pick and roll it is difficult to execute them. Whatever it takes to create mismatches.
Are post touches for the bigs an option. Lively and Gafford have no real back to the basket game but the Mavs have to punish the Celtics when they switch White or Holiday onto Gafford/Lively.
What can PJ and DJJ do to take advantage of the space they get at the top of the key. Driving into KP or bricking 3s isn't the solution. Maybe follow it up with a dribble hand off for Kyrie that forces KP/Horford to step up.

(06-07-2024, 09:59 PM)SwisherPrice Wrote: Al Horford is just a Mavs Killer. He's always torched us since he joined the Celtics...always brings great defense and great shooting. I knew we were in big trouble when he was able to pumpfake and drive for a dunk on the first possession of the game.

Holiday is such a big upgrade from Marcus Smart with his experience and shooting. It's just not fair how elite this Celtics team is...I would say they are BETTER than the 2011 Heat

(06-07-2024, 06:51 PM)Knutsen Wrote: Wasn’t able to watch the game because I‘m traveling through Iceland right now and would only spend the time to rewatch if we would have won - shame on me, I know, but don’t want to get killed by my girlfriend for a loss - did we play Luka in the post? If not, any chance to create mismatches there? Because he‘s by far our best post player.

(06-07-2024, 04:35 PM)ThisIStheYear Wrote: I don’t know exactly what kinds of teams give the Celtics trouble. I think I heard they were 3-5 against the top teams in the West and the Lakers beat them. My impression is that we’ll need to win ugly. Giving up 3s is one thing, getting beat on the glass is another. We cannot lose to a relatively undersized Boston team on the glass. We need to crush them there. So, physical, slow, ugly, and a lot of shots by Luka seems like the right approach to the rest of this series. More minutes for Kleber. More Josh plus Luka backcourt minutes with three bigger player up front. I’d put the most physical lineups possible on the floor for longer stretches:Luka, Josh, Kleber, lively, PJ. I wouldn’t pair Kyrie with Hardy either.  Too small. Foul a lot.  No running.

(06-08-2024, 02:23 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: https://x.com/NoaDalzellNBA/status/1799482600224113077

Jason Kidd just lit up Boston Sports media for the next 2 days with this quote:

@NoaDalzellNBA
Jason Kidd was asked what makes going up against Jaylen Brown so challenging:

“Well, Jaylen’s their best player.”

(06-08-2024, 04:09 PM)nicholasthefan Wrote: Seems like a good move by Kidd unless Tatum goes for 40

(06-08-2024, 04:28 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: Kidd and brown have a long history with Cal.

Not a fan of this though.  I am in the camp of not saying anything at these press conferences.  Like Kidd usually does.  Not a fan of these games.  Don’t think Boston would take the bait anyway.  Just give the boring answers.