2024 Playoffs- 2nd Round: Oklahoma City Thunder - Dallas Mavericks- MAVS WIN 4-2!

[Knutsen]

I think it's situational. Gafford and Lively are both getting about the same minutes in the playoffs. In three of the five OKC playoff games, Lively has had three fouls on him while playing most of the 4th quarter I think (I haven't' checked to quarter minutes). That feels to me like they're protecting him for the right time - and with little worry. And I agree with Jom that both centers need the rest as they are being asked to handle much on the interior as well as screen and close out on the perimeter periodically. But it feels like Lively is being trusted in the 4th quarter now, and that's where he needs to be at his best.

The fact that Lively seems to have really mastered his coverage without fouling is pretty surprising for a rookie.

To add to your point, I think the untimely injury to Maxi was a blessing in disguise for the development of Lively, because I’m quite sure that Kidd would have gone with PJ at the four and Kleber at the five in the fourth quarter to finish the games. Simply because he trusts him more because he‘s been in that situation oftentimes. Now Kidd was forced to go with Lively and I think he and we as a team benefited greatly from it.