05-22-2024, 07:27 AM
(05-20-2024, 07:41 AM)Smitty Wrote: To me the matchups are pretty straight forward.
Conley 6'0 - Kyrie 6'2
ANT 6'4 - DJJ 6'6
McDaniels 6'9 - Luka 6'7
KAT 7'0 - PJW 6'7
Gobert 7'1 - Gafford 6'10/Lively 7'1
Luka 6'7 - McDaniels 6'9
Kai 6'2 - ANT 6'4
DJJ 6'6 - Conley 6'0
PJW 6'7 - KAT 7'0
Gafford 6'10 - Gobert 7'1
Min Bench: PF/C Reid 6'9 , G NAW 6'5 , SF K. Anderson 6'9
Mavs Bench: C Lively 7'1 , G Green 6'5 , PF/C Maxi 6'10 , G THJ/Exum/Hardy 6'5
The Mavs really need Maxi back for this one. It could get ugly with DJJ playing backup 4 minutes against KAT/Reid. I do see the Mavs using DJJ as the screener almost exclusively Game 1, in order to get Conley switched onto LuKai. Then you can use a secondary screen from the 5 to get Gobert involved and open up the lob game.
I also expect this to be the series where Kidd eventually has to switch things up and start Lively over Gafford, my guess is Game 3 at home. Hope it doesn't rock the boat - but it feels inevitable from my perspective.
Minny was always the toughest matchup in the playoffs, imo. I personally wanted to face the defending champs but here we are. I've got to stick with Mavs in 6!
(05-20-2024, 09:20 PM)Smitty Wrote: MIN 3P%
Conley 44% - 5 3PA
KAT 41% - 5 3PA
Reid 41% - 5 3PA
NAW 39% - 4 3PA
ANT 35% - 7 3PA
McDaniels 33% - 3 3PA
Looks like Mavs will build their rotations to play off McDaniels and to an extent ANT.
Like they did for Giddey/Dort and Westbrook/Mann.
Kyle Anderson and Gobert the only non-shooters from deep out of their 8-man rotation.
I wonder if the Mavs elect to put Luka on KAT and PJ on McDaniels so that PJ can play help defense. It won’t be an every possession type move but something they can go to if need be?
After listening to some people that talk basketball. I feel even more confident in my takes. It didn't spark much discussion here. One thing I might change is the start Lively over Gafford take. Gafford will only be playable when Gobert is on the floor. I don't think he can play any time Minnesota goes to KAT/Reid, therefore I see Gafford starting the whole series and eating minutes against the DPOY.
One thing I'll add though.. Do we see Kidd go to PJ at the 5 some when Gobert is out there? It's the definite go-to in the playoffs year after year. 5-out vs a traditional Big.
Kai - Green - DJJ - Luka - Maxi in the regular season: 135.0 ORTG 106.3 DRTG 28.8 NetRTG in 48 minutes (the 4th most used lineup this year)
PJ isn't quite Maxi but as close as one can get. Can you run that lineup with PJ at the 5, where he's played plenty in his career, and get the same production?
Conley - Kai
ANT - DJJ
McDaniels - Green
KAT - Luka
Gobert - PJW
I really miss Maxi...