05-18-2021, 08:05 AM
The Athletic did a piece where "A scout, a coach and an executive" (go to a bar) pick the winners of the 3/6 and 4/5 first round matchups in the east and west. The other three were split decisions in favor of the Heat, Knicks and Blazers. No one liked The Mav's chances with LAC.
No. 4 LA Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
Scout’s outlook: “(The Clippers) are just better.
“Dallas needs a third guy. They don’t really have it. I think (Kristaps) Porzingis (can be defended) when push comes to shove. I think it’s a five-game series. I know Dallas has played better since their slow start, but they just don’t have enough weapons. Tim Hardaway Jr. has to play really well. … They’ve got the one guy, Luka (Doncic), and (Kristaps) Porzingis is still a question mark.
“When you compare that to the two major guys on LA … I just think it’s a talent thing. There’s not enough there for Dallas. That would be a major upset (if Dallas wins), I think. They can win a game or two.
“The Clippers have got guys who can guard Doncic. They can put (Paul) George on him. You could put (Kawhi) Leonard on him. You could put Patrick Beverley on him. … They have a lot to prove.
“Dallas is a nice team. But can they beat LA four times? I’d be shocked. There’s just not enough there. …”
Coach’s outlook: “I think Luka’s good enough to win two games on his own. I’m anxious to see what they do. The Clippers do have a lot of bodies to throw on Luka, which I think is the reason Dallas won’t be able to beat them in the series. Between Kawhi, PG, and I don’t think Marcus Morris (Sr.) can guard him but he’s going to (try) for sure. Pat Bev. They’re going to have a lot of different bodies on him, which I think is the key to slowing down any of those stars. I think their wing depth, overall, is going to help them win that series.”
Executive’s outlook: “The Mavs obviously beat the Clippers by 50 this year. … They’re 2-1 (against the Clippers), and didn’t win the series (last year) but had a good series against the Clippers. So they come in with some confidence. Luka is a problem. The Clippers do have some bodies to throw at him, and probably some more diverse offensive options. But it should be a war. I’ll go (with the) Clippers in six.”
Scout’s pick: Clippers in five
Coach’s pick: Clippers in six
Executive’s pick: Clippers in six
Consensus advancing team: Clippers
No. 4 LA Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
Scout’s outlook: “(The Clippers) are just better.
“Dallas needs a third guy. They don’t really have it. I think (Kristaps) Porzingis (can be defended) when push comes to shove. I think it’s a five-game series. I know Dallas has played better since their slow start, but they just don’t have enough weapons. Tim Hardaway Jr. has to play really well. … They’ve got the one guy, Luka (Doncic), and (Kristaps) Porzingis is still a question mark.
“When you compare that to the two major guys on LA … I just think it’s a talent thing. There’s not enough there for Dallas. That would be a major upset (if Dallas wins), I think. They can win a game or two.
“The Clippers have got guys who can guard Doncic. They can put (Paul) George on him. You could put (Kawhi) Leonard on him. You could put Patrick Beverley on him. … They have a lot to prove.
“Dallas is a nice team. But can they beat LA four times? I’d be shocked. There’s just not enough there. …”
Coach’s outlook: “I think Luka’s good enough to win two games on his own. I’m anxious to see what they do. The Clippers do have a lot of bodies to throw on Luka, which I think is the reason Dallas won’t be able to beat them in the series. Between Kawhi, PG, and I don’t think Marcus Morris (Sr.) can guard him but he’s going to (try) for sure. Pat Bev. They’re going to have a lot of different bodies on him, which I think is the key to slowing down any of those stars. I think their wing depth, overall, is going to help them win that series.”
Executive’s outlook: “The Mavs obviously beat the Clippers by 50 this year. … They’re 2-1 (against the Clippers), and didn’t win the series (last year) but had a good series against the Clippers. So they come in with some confidence. Luka is a problem. The Clippers do have some bodies to throw at him, and probably some more diverse offensive options. But it should be a war. I’ll go (with the) Clippers in six.”
Scout’s pick: Clippers in five
Coach’s pick: Clippers in six
Executive’s pick: Clippers in six
Consensus advancing team: Clippers