Closeout rant. Unfortunately just what I predicted here in regards to failing to leverage the main Dallas advantage, is what actually played out.
The main point in this thread was that Size advantage represented by KP and Boban along with Doncic as a big play making guard, was the Mavs only real ADVANTAGE over the talented favorites. Going wing for wing, guard vs guard was never a toe to toe match-up Dallas could expect to win, especially with a few key injury depletion roster holes.
Dallas played hard, give the whole organization credit there. They never quit.
At end of the day however look what happened. KP was hurt so that advantage was lost. When the Unicorn did play however he was a MAJOR problem for the Clippers and just too tall for them to really bother his shots much. A healthy KP is an exciting prospect to look for going forward.
The injury couldn't be helped.
That left Dallas fighting in the closeout game with Boban left as the other real size advantage that could support Doncic's excellent efforts.
In the first half, the TV broadcasters made the point that Boban had been +10 for his limited minutes in the FIRST half. The Clippers made their real game winning run, going up over 20 points then AFTER Boban was taken out and Doncic had to hold the fort with Carlisle's standard smaller lineups.
The result was a crushing 2nd half run for Doc Rivers Kawhi led Clippers.
Then in the 2nd half AFTER the Mavericks were down big and for all intensive purpose almost out of the game early, Rick Carlisle bring Bobi back in. The Mavericks proceed to go on a BIG run and almost close the deficit completely.
Kawhi had to come in and play super man (which he does very well) to preserve the lead.
Marjanovic still ended up closing the season's last game with team-high impact +16 in only 17 minutes of play.
Now why was Boban left out so long when playing so well and why did he only get 17 minutes with KP out and Maxi Kleber in a series long shooting slump?
![[Image: giphy.gif]](https://media.giphy.com/media/12KKxc48IPgFBS/giphy.gif)
The main point in this thread was that Size advantage represented by KP and Boban along with Doncic as a big play making guard, was the Mavs only real ADVANTAGE over the talented favorites. Going wing for wing, guard vs guard was never a toe to toe match-up Dallas could expect to win, especially with a few key injury depletion roster holes.
Dallas played hard, give the whole organization credit there. They never quit.
At end of the day however look what happened. KP was hurt so that advantage was lost. When the Unicorn did play however he was a MAJOR problem for the Clippers and just too tall for them to really bother his shots much. A healthy KP is an exciting prospect to look for going forward.
The injury couldn't be helped.
That left Dallas fighting in the closeout game with Boban left as the other real size advantage that could support Doncic's excellent efforts.
In the first half, the TV broadcasters made the point that Boban had been +10 for his limited minutes in the FIRST half. The Clippers made their real game winning run, going up over 20 points then AFTER Boban was taken out and Doncic had to hold the fort with Carlisle's standard smaller lineups.
The result was a crushing 2nd half run for Doc Rivers Kawhi led Clippers.
Then in the 2nd half AFTER the Mavericks were down big and for all intensive purpose almost out of the game early, Rick Carlisle bring Bobi back in. The Mavericks proceed to go on a BIG run and almost close the deficit completely.
Kawhi had to come in and play super man (which he does very well) to preserve the lead.
Marjanovic still ended up closing the season's last game with team-high impact +16 in only 17 minutes of play.
Now why was Boban left out so long when playing so well and why did he only get 17 minutes with KP out and Maxi Kleber in a series long shooting slump?