05-17-2021, 11:42 AM
(05-17-2021, 08:35 AM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: Negative nancy alert: Just going with the regular season numbers. Mavs win if they have the better 3-point percentage. Not easy against a team that shoots 41.1% from 3 (4th all time).
Morris 47.3% 5.2 attempts
Kennard 44.6% 3.6 attempts
Jackson 43.3% 4.2 attempts
Rondo 43.2% 2.4 attempts (only played 18 games)
Cousins 42.1% 1.2 attempts (only played 16 games)
Mann 41.8% 1.4 attempts
George 41.1% 7.7 attempts
Batum 40.4% 4.1 attempts
Leonard 39.8% 4.9 attempts
Beverley 39.7% 3.8 attempts
Only two rotation players below league average
Ibaka 33.9% 2.8 attempts
Zubac (Only attempted four 3s. Made his first one this week)
Just looking at the percentage the best Mavs would rank 8th and 9th compared to the Clippers. Kleber and Brunson with 41% and 40.5%.
(05-17-2021, 09:59 AM)Kammrath Wrote: SO MUCH THIS.
I would give the Mavs maybe a 20% chance to win the series at best because the Mavs will have to outshoot their own percentages AND outshoot one of the best shooting teams of all time in at least 4 games.
I will be rooting hard for the Mavs, but people need to keep their expectations in check......
....OR on second thought, let your expectations run wild so when the Mavs get beat soundly you grab your pitchforks and demand the Mavs trade KP and shake up the whole roster around Luka.
In the 2020-21 regular season ...
The Clippers 3P% was greater than or equal to 40% in 43 games. Their record in those games was 34-9.
The Clippers 3P% was less than 40% in 29 games. Their record in those games was 13-16.
The Mavericks held their opponents to a 3P% less than 40% in 45 games. The Mavs' record in those games was 33-12.
The Mavs' opponents had a 3P% greater than 40% in 27 games. The Mavs' record in those games was 9-18.
Everyone on planet Earth (including Papua New Guinea) realizes that 3-point defense will be a key to the Mavs' winning their first-round series against the Clippers.
The Mavs do not need to totally shut down the Clippers' 3-point shooting. The Mavs only need to hold the Clippers down ... enough.
So ...
Is Rick Carlisle a better coach than Tyronn Lue? Of course, he is!
Will Rick Carlisle be able to guide the Mavs to victory by holding down the Clippers' 3P% just barely enough? Who knows?!?!?
Stay tuned!!! (And keep those pitchforks tuned!)