04-22-2024, 07:10 AM
Several things happened that sealed this game very early.
1. Clippers came very well prepared. They forced their style of play and Mavs didn't really have an answer before getting behind too much to make a difference. Clippers managed to force a very slow paced game which suits them more. Took away Mavs transition offense, but that was also result of hitting tough shots. They were able to adequately punish Mavs defensive scheme that relies on guards/wings leading their guy towards the helping center in the paint. Harden was able to pass to open guys or offensive rebound happened. On the defensive side, they took away Mavs PnR by aggresively helping in the paint (Mavs stars not hitting their shots really helped). In general, I thought Mavs defense was mostly good and they did fight. Clippers made some tough shots. I just thought that perhaps they overhelped a couple of times and Clippers took advantage.
2. Clippers stars made their shots in the first half and Mavs ones didn't. Luka and Kyrie combined were 5-19 (1-10 from three) for a total of 17 points. Harden had 20 by himself, George added 5. Westbrook and Zubac were in double figures, Mavs second and third scorer (Kai and PJ) had 6.
3. In such a slow paced game stupid mistakes are a huge cost. THJ and centers were the main culprints here. Blown fastbreak, blown easy layups and alley-oops. Combine that with indecisive Maxi who looked like deer in headlights on the offensive end and general inability to hit a shot. Limitations of Mavs role players really showed. Not sure why, but everyone looked "scared" or without confidence. Clippers have offensively much more capable guys behind their stars (Westbrook, Powell).
1. Clippers came very well prepared. They forced their style of play and Mavs didn't really have an answer before getting behind too much to make a difference. Clippers managed to force a very slow paced game which suits them more. Took away Mavs transition offense, but that was also result of hitting tough shots. They were able to adequately punish Mavs defensive scheme that relies on guards/wings leading their guy towards the helping center in the paint. Harden was able to pass to open guys or offensive rebound happened. On the defensive side, they took away Mavs PnR by aggresively helping in the paint (Mavs stars not hitting their shots really helped). In general, I thought Mavs defense was mostly good and they did fight. Clippers made some tough shots. I just thought that perhaps they overhelped a couple of times and Clippers took advantage.
2. Clippers stars made their shots in the first half and Mavs ones didn't. Luka and Kyrie combined were 5-19 (1-10 from three) for a total of 17 points. Harden had 20 by himself, George added 5. Westbrook and Zubac were in double figures, Mavs second and third scorer (Kai and PJ) had 6.
3. In such a slow paced game stupid mistakes are a huge cost. THJ and centers were the main culprints here. Blown fastbreak, blown easy layups and alley-oops. Combine that with indecisive Maxi who looked like deer in headlights on the offensive end and general inability to hit a shot. Limitations of Mavs role players really showed. Not sure why, but everyone looked "scared" or without confidence. Clippers have offensively much more capable guys behind their stars (Westbrook, Powell).
![[-]](https://www.mavsboard.com/images/collapse.png)