05-31-2021, 06:16 AM
MAVERICKS TAKE A WHOOPING IN GAME FOUR
SERIES TIED 2-2 GOING BACK TO LA
With Luka battling a neck injury, the Mavs got their butts kicked in their second home game. Woof!
GAME STORY
Serge Ibaka and JJ Redick continued on their respective teams’ injury list. Luka (cervical strain) and Maxi (sore Achilles) were listed as questionable, but ruled available before the game. Carlisle stuck with the playoff starting unit — Luka, THJ, DFS, KP, and Maxi. Ty Lue went small with Jackson, PG, Kawhi, Morris, and Batum, selecting Batum instead of Zubac
FIRST QUARTER
The Mavs started with an effort to involve Porzingis. KP opened the scoring, and followed with a second bucket. A third attempt to feed him resulted in a turnover. THJ went to the line and hit both freebies, hoping to set a free-throw tone for the game. Rick unsuccessfully challenged a foul called on KP for an attempted block of a Paul George shot. Inside three minutes, the Mavs had four team fouls. Zinger had a dramatic save of a rebound, but the Mavs couldn’t capitalize. On the next possession, all five Mavs starters had collected a foul.
THE BOBAN ADJUSTMENT! At 6:47, Boban came in, to a thunderous welcome from the home crowd. He immediately scored. On the other end, he fouled Batum, who split a pair. Boban scored again! Paul tried to score over Boban, but failed. Luka threw a half-court lob to DFS for a breakaway dunk. At 6:27, the Clippers lead was cut to one. Kawhi was called for a foul on Bobi. The Clips were forced to bring Zubac in. Luka hit the Clips with an elbow fadeaway. Boban retired, having scored 4 points in two minutes.
KP returned to the court and downed a bucket. Zubac responded. PG left with a second foul. Luka missed both free throws, and Kawhi darted down the court for a fast break basket. Three Mavs converged on Zubac under the basket, and KP forced a jump ball, which he tipped to Luka. Luka missed a three, but KP was fouled on the rebound, forcing Morris to repair to the bench with two fouls. KP split the pair. What’s with the Mavs and free throws?
The Mavericks started going cold. Kawhi was everywhere. Rondo the destroyer slid to the basket like greased lightning, and then fired a bullet pass to Zubac for a dunk. Willie fumbled away a pass. The Clips quickly took a 12-point lead. Brunson closed the quarter with a buzzer-beating three (the only made three by the Mavs in the first quarter), but the Mavs trailed 22-31 after one.
SECOND QUARTER
Josh Richardson hit a much-needed three to open his account. Burke was introduced. With Luka playing almost the entire first quarter, a unit of DFS and four bench players tried to hold the fort. Soon, the Clippers had their biggest lead of the game thus far, at 18 points. Boban re-entered the game. The Mavs were getting some good looks, but couldn’t hit the ocean from a canoe. Everything was falling for LA. Luka had an and-one, and missed his third free throw. The Mavs had a possession where they passed up good looks endlessly, until they missed a shot with five seconds left. No confidence? The half closed with the Mavs trailing 45-61.
Luka had an impressive-looking bunch of tape on his neck and shoulder, and received treatment when he was on the bench. He looked to be hurting badly, doubling over in pain after a pass, and frequently closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, as if trying to muster the effort to go on. With their leader operating at less than full strength, it was a tough half for the Mavericks.
The Dallas shooters were cold, hitting only 3-16 from deep. They had an 8-14 disadvantage in FTAs, and completed only 4 of the eight they attempted. The Clips had a 12-4 margin in fast-break points, along with a 28-20 board edge in rebounds. DFS, THJ, and Maxi combined for 6 points. Six. Just an all-around beatdown. Devin Harris lamented that the Mavs seemed to have lost their sense of belief.
THIRD QUARTER
The deficit increased to over 20 points inside the first two minutes. Luka missed two more free throws. The Mavs continued to pass up open looks. Nothing they were trying was working. Halfway through the period, Dallas had scored only 6 points.
The Clips’ lead passed twenty-five. Kleber and THJ both accumulated four fouls. The Mavs went to a zone late, trying everything to stop the potent Clippers offense.
At the buzzer, the Mavs were down 60-82, having scored only 15 points in the frame.
FOURTH QUARTER
Both sides continued to go through the motions, but not much got accomplished. The deep benches took the floor for the last few minutes.
STATISTICS
It was a blowout. Taking a dive into the inter-team stats would be naught but a masochistic self-flagellation.
PLAYERS
DONCIC. Luka was obviously struggling, and after three, I hoped they would just let him rest for the remainder of this one, although of course he continued to play. He still led the team with 19 points, and also collected 6 rebounds and 6 assists, but was 9-24 from the field (1-7 from three). The poor guy was patently miserable. I hope he gets some rest.
PORZINGIS. Porzingis was the only other Mav to score in double digits. He actually had a halfway decent stat line with 18 points (7-12 FGAs) and five boards, but proved unable to assist defensively or provide much of any rim protection. The Mavs did make an effort to feature him more, but KP and a hobbled Luka were far from enough to compete against the Clips' star duo.
STARTERS. DFS, THJ, and Maxi combined for 12 points,14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 turnovers. DFS was 3-9 from the field, Tim 1-8. DFS and Maxi were heartbreakingly ineffectual defensively.
BENCH. The five bench players who played competitive minutes combined for 16 points, 9 boards, and 3 assists through three quarters. Boban was the only Maverick in positive territory, at +3. At least Bobi was fun to watch, and had a highlight moment removing the ball when it became stuck above the basket. .
CLIPPERS. They were good. We could rave about their performance, but ain't nobody got time for that.
OBSERVATIONS
The basketball heads noted the deadly combination of very poor shooting and poor defending. Per Locked On, the Mavs had their poorest offensive rating of the season. The primary focus for Game 5 will be to attempt to gain some defensive traction.
Obviously, Luka’s injury is a serious issue, and it is hard to imagine the Mavs advancing if it doesn’t clear up soon. Even at that, he was the best Mav on the court.
The Clips seem to have found an answer to the Mavericks with their small ball lineups. The Mavs have not been able to even begin to make them pay with their height advantage. The Clipperss played extremely well, and the Mavs were very disappointing on both ends.
After seeing these last two games, I hate to admit it, but I am doubting whether the Mavs can win even one more game. PROVE ME WRONG, MAVERICKS!!!! Maybe they can get their three-point chops back, after an appalling 5-30 showing in this one.
I am sorry to end this recap on a Debbie Downer note, but I thought the Game was a pretty horrifying experience, and I just don't know what buttons Carlisle has left to push. If you think I am being too negative in the moment, BY ALL MEANS, fill us in with your reasons for optimism!
Game Five will occur on Wednesday in Staples Center. I am shivering with trepidation, while trying to maintain some hope.
Once more into the breach, Mavs fans!
SERIES TIED 2-2 GOING BACK TO LA
With Luka battling a neck injury, the Mavs got their butts kicked in their second home game. Woof!
GAME STORY
Serge Ibaka and JJ Redick continued on their respective teams’ injury list. Luka (cervical strain) and Maxi (sore Achilles) were listed as questionable, but ruled available before the game. Carlisle stuck with the playoff starting unit — Luka, THJ, DFS, KP, and Maxi. Ty Lue went small with Jackson, PG, Kawhi, Morris, and Batum, selecting Batum instead of Zubac
FIRST QUARTER
The Mavs started with an effort to involve Porzingis. KP opened the scoring, and followed with a second bucket. A third attempt to feed him resulted in a turnover. THJ went to the line and hit both freebies, hoping to set a free-throw tone for the game. Rick unsuccessfully challenged a foul called on KP for an attempted block of a Paul George shot. Inside three minutes, the Mavs had four team fouls. Zinger had a dramatic save of a rebound, but the Mavs couldn’t capitalize. On the next possession, all five Mavs starters had collected a foul.
THE BOBAN ADJUSTMENT! At 6:47, Boban came in, to a thunderous welcome from the home crowd. He immediately scored. On the other end, he fouled Batum, who split a pair. Boban scored again! Paul tried to score over Boban, but failed. Luka threw a half-court lob to DFS for a breakaway dunk. At 6:27, the Clippers lead was cut to one. Kawhi was called for a foul on Bobi. The Clips were forced to bring Zubac in. Luka hit the Clips with an elbow fadeaway. Boban retired, having scored 4 points in two minutes.
KP returned to the court and downed a bucket. Zubac responded. PG left with a second foul. Luka missed both free throws, and Kawhi darted down the court for a fast break basket. Three Mavs converged on Zubac under the basket, and KP forced a jump ball, which he tipped to Luka. Luka missed a three, but KP was fouled on the rebound, forcing Morris to repair to the bench with two fouls. KP split the pair. What’s with the Mavs and free throws?
The Mavericks started going cold. Kawhi was everywhere. Rondo the destroyer slid to the basket like greased lightning, and then fired a bullet pass to Zubac for a dunk. Willie fumbled away a pass. The Clips quickly took a 12-point lead. Brunson closed the quarter with a buzzer-beating three (the only made three by the Mavs in the first quarter), but the Mavs trailed 22-31 after one.
SECOND QUARTER
Josh Richardson hit a much-needed three to open his account. Burke was introduced. With Luka playing almost the entire first quarter, a unit of DFS and four bench players tried to hold the fort. Soon, the Clippers had their biggest lead of the game thus far, at 18 points. Boban re-entered the game. The Mavs were getting some good looks, but couldn’t hit the ocean from a canoe. Everything was falling for LA. Luka had an and-one, and missed his third free throw. The Mavs had a possession where they passed up good looks endlessly, until they missed a shot with five seconds left. No confidence? The half closed with the Mavs trailing 45-61.
Luka had an impressive-looking bunch of tape on his neck and shoulder, and received treatment when he was on the bench. He looked to be hurting badly, doubling over in pain after a pass, and frequently closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, as if trying to muster the effort to go on. With their leader operating at less than full strength, it was a tough half for the Mavericks.
The Dallas shooters were cold, hitting only 3-16 from deep. They had an 8-14 disadvantage in FTAs, and completed only 4 of the eight they attempted. The Clips had a 12-4 margin in fast-break points, along with a 28-20 board edge in rebounds. DFS, THJ, and Maxi combined for 6 points. Six. Just an all-around beatdown. Devin Harris lamented that the Mavs seemed to have lost their sense of belief.
THIRD QUARTER
The deficit increased to over 20 points inside the first two minutes. Luka missed two more free throws. The Mavs continued to pass up open looks. Nothing they were trying was working. Halfway through the period, Dallas had scored only 6 points.
The Clips’ lead passed twenty-five. Kleber and THJ both accumulated four fouls. The Mavs went to a zone late, trying everything to stop the potent Clippers offense.
At the buzzer, the Mavs were down 60-82, having scored only 15 points in the frame.
FOURTH QUARTER
Both sides continued to go through the motions, but not much got accomplished. The deep benches took the floor for the last few minutes.
STATISTICS
It was a blowout. Taking a dive into the inter-team stats would be naught but a masochistic self-flagellation.
PLAYERS
DONCIC. Luka was obviously struggling, and after three, I hoped they would just let him rest for the remainder of this one, although of course he continued to play. He still led the team with 19 points, and also collected 6 rebounds and 6 assists, but was 9-24 from the field (1-7 from three). The poor guy was patently miserable. I hope he gets some rest.
PORZINGIS. Porzingis was the only other Mav to score in double digits. He actually had a halfway decent stat line with 18 points (7-12 FGAs) and five boards, but proved unable to assist defensively or provide much of any rim protection. The Mavs did make an effort to feature him more, but KP and a hobbled Luka were far from enough to compete against the Clips' star duo.
STARTERS. DFS, THJ, and Maxi combined for 12 points,14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 turnovers. DFS was 3-9 from the field, Tim 1-8. DFS and Maxi were heartbreakingly ineffectual defensively.
BENCH. The five bench players who played competitive minutes combined for 16 points, 9 boards, and 3 assists through three quarters. Boban was the only Maverick in positive territory, at +3. At least Bobi was fun to watch, and had a highlight moment removing the ball when it became stuck above the basket. .
CLIPPERS. They were good. We could rave about their performance, but ain't nobody got time for that.
OBSERVATIONS
The basketball heads noted the deadly combination of very poor shooting and poor defending. Per Locked On, the Mavs had their poorest offensive rating of the season. The primary focus for Game 5 will be to attempt to gain some defensive traction.
Obviously, Luka’s injury is a serious issue, and it is hard to imagine the Mavs advancing if it doesn’t clear up soon. Even at that, he was the best Mav on the court.
The Clips seem to have found an answer to the Mavericks with their small ball lineups. The Mavs have not been able to even begin to make them pay with their height advantage. The Clipperss played extremely well, and the Mavs were very disappointing on both ends.
After seeing these last two games, I hate to admit it, but I am doubting whether the Mavs can win even one more game. PROVE ME WRONG, MAVERICKS!!!! Maybe they can get their three-point chops back, after an appalling 5-30 showing in this one.
I am sorry to end this recap on a Debbie Downer note, but I thought the Game was a pretty horrifying experience, and I just don't know what buttons Carlisle has left to push. If you think I am being too negative in the moment, BY ALL MEANS, fill us in with your reasons for optimism!
Game Five will occur on Wednesday in Staples Center. I am shivering with trepidation, while trying to maintain some hope.
Once more into the breach, Mavs fans!