Mavs 127, Clippers 121

[Dahlsim]

Impression #1 that I'm getting from what I've seen so far in this series:
KP, on both ends of the court, is playing like a 7-3 center (ie, a big big who is disruptive to the opponent) rather than a really big wing.

And to me, that is progress, significant, and very valuable - with much potential.
...

I had a similar feeling watching 7'3" KP except that I see that he's playing a much better mix of his skills at being a real BIG Big. while also having the ability to play like a really big wing. Carlisle is giving Lue some real change up in the rotations and getting the better of it by playing big as much as he might go small.  

The Mavs with KP, Kleber, WCS and Powell all getting time really aren't small that often but conversely they've been able to keep Ibaka's minutes limited.  With Luka being the Big guard he is, throw in KP supported by strong minutes from the other Dallas BIGS and as you said It makes the Unicorn minutes and length very disruptive.

The box score somewhat bares this out for me.  On defense, his two blocks in 32 min went along with the Mavs having real rim protection presence.  I really like the minutes shake out with Kleber at 34+min while WCS with a smidge of Powell added another 18+ min. 

With that size supporting good size at the wings and really needing to hide only 1 small guard, this Mavs team can match up and in KP minutes even put a size advantage on the floor without losing athleticism.  Good work Rick!   

On defense, his presence gave Dallas some real sense of rim protection that the Clippers didn't have much without a lot of IBlocka time. 

On offense, KP was hyper efficient instead of chucking up tons of 3's like a 7'3" Curry imitation. His offense had a nice mix with 4 of 12 shots as 3's keeping him a real stretch threat and spacer while he still got in close enough to take a few easy shots over the top shorter opponents.