PLAYOFFS ROUND 1: #4 LAC (4-3) vs #5 DAL (3-4)

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/NickVanExit/status/1...7775052801

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/NickVanExit/status/1...6087025664

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/NickVanExit/status/1...6763141121

[sefant]

WCS was

+31
+8 (in a 10 pt loss)
+10

vs. Clippers

@Rick

[KillerLeft]

OMG, I just realized our team is about to lose a playoff series to Rajon Rondo. @"robillionaire" will pop in, and he'll probably be insufferable.

[Aussiebballer]

My concern with the bball gods revenge on the Clippers is that it will be the Lakers losing to GSW and ending up in the Clippers bracket anyway.

[Chicagojk]

Bring it on. It is probably not the best matchup for Dallas, but Dallas would be the underdog in every matchup in the first round.   

It certainly gives the front office a clear report card on how they/if they improved the roster for playoff basketball by going against the same team again.    Mavs wanted to be able to guard better on the wings against wings like Leonard and George.   Mavs needed to stop being bullied by Morris and Zubac.    Mavs needed more guys who could create off the dribble.   We have watched this team all year long and I think we have our answers, but the Playoffs will give them a clear grade to their ability to improve this team over the past year.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

I'm expecting the Mavs to win for 3 reasons:

1. The Clips may look better this year, but I don't see any of their additions that can do as much damage as Montrez and Lou did last year. 
2. The only rotation big for the Mavs last year was Maxi. Now they have DP and Melli, and hopefully a healthy Maxi and KP.
3. JR+Reddick+Green+Brunson >  Delon+Seth+MKG+JJB+Jackson


What's funny is what I worry the most from the Clips is Cousins. If he can stay on the court, rebound and hit 3s, Mavs will have a problem on their hands.  Hopefully, DP can make him sit on the bench by not being able to keep up with him, the same way DP has played against Andre.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Bring it on. It is probably not the best matchup for Dallas, but Dallas would be the underdog in every matchup in the first round.   

It certainly gives the front office a clear report card on how they/if they improved the roster for playoff basketball by going against the same team again.    

I would agree if Maxi were healthy.  If he's not, it will open up claims that we might have won if Maxi could have played or we might have won if we had drawn Denver instead.  

I don't see us winning this series.  I don't count that as a terrible outcome because it would show the team there is still much work to be done.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

I'm just throwing it out here.

Watch out for the Mavs bigs. If they get outplayed and routinely scored upon.. expect Holmes to be a Mav.

[Hypermav]

I didn't want to play the Clippers but the young Mavs have experience in the playoffs against them and should know what to expect.  

Luka should go ahead and file a restraining order due to Rondo's creepy stares.

Rondo, Boogie, Morris and Beverley are such a wonderful collection of players.

THJ is my key to the series.  If he is hot, Mavs can beat anyone.

[omahen]

Clippers were not convincing against us, but have a better overall record. They are one of the teams that can throw most bodies at Luka but it didn't really bother him in the past. It was always about the ability of the rest of the team and I hope they can deliver. Although I have my doubts about the ability of guys like Brunson, DFS and Maxi to deliver against top playoff defense. Healthy Maxi is absolutely needed for us in this series, I am affraid. But it definitely can't be used as an excuse if Mavs lose - if your team depends on one of the role players it is not a good team. I hope Mavs will roll out with Luka-JRich-DFS-Maxi-KP with Brunson, THJ and Powell (or WCS) as rotation guys. Maxi and DFS will be key defenders against Kawhi and George, Luka will be hidden on Morris. KP will be crucial on defense - if he doesn't show a better version than in the last three games, I am affraid this series will be short. Offensively Mavs will try to create mismatches for Luka, either by puting Zubac/Ibaka or Beverly on him. Although Zubac played great defense against him last year. KP will have to take advantage of his height advantage against one of the wings they put on him, either directly by shooting over him or in offensive rebounds situations. 

I also don't think Clippers are better than last year, but they have a huge chip on their shoulders and will certainly want to prove a lot to the world. Although they are obviously calculating a lot before the playoffs losing on purpose. Not really a sign of a very confident team. Harrel and Lou are gone, but they were bad last playoffs, so it is not really a loss for them. Their biggest weakness is lack of PG. George is not it, Beverly mainly plays offball, Jackson is a defensive liability and I am not really impressed by Rondo. At center they have Ibaka who has mostly turned into a three point specialist Kleber style late in his career and excellent rim runner Zubac. Cousins scares me more than the other two. 

Mavs live and die by the three, so let's hope they will be able to convert. Especially open looks defense will allow when doubling Luka. Personally, I expect Mavs to put a competitive effort and prevail in 7. I would be dissapointed by first round exit, no matter how achieved. Not because I think Clippers are a worse team but because it means Mavs are far away with limited options to bridge the gap.

[dirkfansince1998]

Negative nancy alert: Just going with the regular season numbers. Mavs win if they have the better 3-point percentage. Not easy against a team that shoots 41.1% from 3 (4th all time).

Morris 47.3% 5.2 attempts
Kennard 44.6% 3.6 attempts
Jackson 43.3% 4.2 attempts
Rondo 43.2% 2.4 attempts (only played 18 games)
Cousins 42.1% 1.2 attempts (only played 16 games)
Mann 41.8% 1.4 attempts
George 41.1% 7.7 attempts
Batum 40.4% 4.1 attempts
Leonard 39.8% 4.9 attempts
Beverley 39.7% 3.8 attempts

Only two rotation players below league average
Ibaka 33.9% 2.8 attempts
Zubac (Only attempted four 3s. Made his first one this week)


Just looking at the percentage the best Mavs would rank 8th and 9th compared to the Clippers. Kleber and Brunson with 41% and 40.5%.

[ClutchDirk]

https://twitter.com/Farbod_E/status/1394249982807474182

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Negative nancy alert: Just going with the regular season numbers. Mavs win if they have the better 3-point percentage. Not easy against a team that shoots 41.1% from 3 (4th all time).

Morris 47.3% 5.2 attempts
Kennard 44.6% 3.6 attempts
Jackson 43.3% 4.2 attempts
Rondo 43.2% 2.4 attempts (only played 18 games)
Cousins 42.1% 1.2 attempts (only played 16 games)
Mann 41.8% 1.4 attempts
George 41.1% 7.7 attempts
Batum 40.4% 4.1 attempts
Leonard 39.8% 4.9 attempts
Beverley 39.7% 3.8 attempts

Only two rotation players below league average
Ibaka 33.9% 2.8 attempts
Zubac (Only attempted four 3s. Made his first one this week)


Just looking at the percentage the best Mavs would rank 8th and 9th compared to the Clippers. Kleber and Brunson with 41% and 40.5%.

Good stuff!    Clips are the best 3 pt shooting team % wise in the league. The Mavs must make theirs though.  Thanks for sharing.

[Halfnir]

Fine with the matchup if we could count on the Refs to make sure actual basketball is played. 

As this is not to be expected, i will probably not enjoy these games of Hack-a-Mav.

[Kammrath]

Just going with the regular season numbers. Mavs win if they have the better 3-point percentage. Not easy against a team that shoots 41.1% from 3 (4th all time).

Morris 47.3% 5.2 attempts
Kennard 44.6% 3.6 attempts
Jackson 43.3% 4.2 attempts
Rondo 43.2% 2.4 attempts (only played 18 games)
Cousins 42.1% 1.2 attempts (only played 16 games)
Mann 41.8% 1.4 attempts
George 41.1% 7.7 attempts
Batum 40.4% 4.1 attempts
Leonard 39.8% 4.9 attempts
Beverley 39.7% 3.8 attempts

SO MUCH THIS.

I would give the Mavs maybe a 20% chance to win the series at best because the Mavs will have to outshoot their own percentages AND outshoot one of the best shooting teams of all time in at least 4 games.

I will be rooting hard for the Mavs, but people need to keep their expectations in check......

....OR on second thought, let your expectations run wild so when the Mavs get beat soundly you grab your pitchforks and demand the Mavs trade KP and shake up the whole roster around Luka.

[Hogmelon]

I'm expecting the Mavs to win for 3 reasons:

1. The Clips may look better this year, but I don't see any of their additions that can do as much damage as Montrez and Lou did last year. 
2. The only rotation big for the Mavs last year was Maxi. Now they have DP and Melli, and hopefully a healthy Maxi and KP.
3. JR+Reddick+Green+Brunson >  Delon+Seth+MKG+JJB+Jackson

1.  The Clippers also downgraded their head coaching position.

2.  Willie Trill Cauley-Stein may play an important role this time around.

3.  Luka's Game 4 heroics would not have been possible without the assistance of Trey Burke.

[mtrot]

If the Clips put Beverly on Luka:  With Beverly's over aggressive defense, Luka should take advantage of it and spend a lot of time at the FT line!  Force the refs to call fouls on Beverly's reaching and shoving.

[omahen]

If the Clips put Beverly on Luka

I don't think they will put him on Luka. But I see Mavs actively seeking switches that would end up with Beverly on Luka