MavsBoard

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!

My experience, the team that gets blown out like this in the playoffs usually come back to win the next one, sometimes by blowout as well. The teams that don't do that have no heart or enough pride in their game. 

Here's to hoping they come back to win in LA!

I mean, it was equally bleak after the first 2 games to LA fans. So we have that!

https://twitter.com/TheKobeBeef/status/1...9893963778

https://media.giphy.com/media/l2YWsNjCXz.../giphy.gif

The adjustment to be made may look complex but I think its very simple. First of all we need to bring back our best defenders in the game. That means Jrich instead of THJ. And Powell needs to play a lot more as his defensive movement is great and thats what we need now as nobody anyway can block Kawhi or PG. 

Secondly on offense we need to set off ball screens to Jrich for mid game range. He is automatic from there in mid range game. The focus has been to shut down the other players and this is the way to start going and this would give Jrich the offensive juatification to start him. We all know he is a ton better defender than THJ. If anyone can disrupt the Clippers on our roster, its Jrich.

Powell as rolling the rim and KP stretching the floor. KP should not go more inside in this series. He cant do it. This will also keep him more fresh for the defense.

Id go with Luka, Jrich, DFS, Powell, KP. Defensive movement will be A LOT better. Yes nobody here can still stop Kawhi and PG but at least as a team defense and.movement and help defense will improve IMO. On offense we get weapons we need to target the Clippers with. Midrange game and rim rolling. Redifine how to use KP and only make him stretch. This will improve his defensive effort. 

These adjustments could win us the next game.

(05-31-2021, 06:16 AM)mavsluvr Wrote: [ -> ]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!

Mavs are not a 50 % 3 point shooting team. But they are also not a 15 % one, and shots were not missed just because Clippers played great defense. They had same wide open shots. It was just a day like that. It happens. To me it is far more concerned that Mavs hadn't figure any way to stop Kawhi. I think they just need to put someone else on him instead of poor Maxi. I think Kawhi is way to confident that he can do whatever he wants against Maxi. At least mix it up, surprise him. Worse case he will remain the 70 % or something shooter he has been so far. It can't really be much worse.

(05-31-2021, 06:16 AM)mavsluvr Wrote: [ -> ]The Mavs started with an effort to involve Porzingis.

I was actually surprised they didn't go to him more. He only had 2 more shots than in game 3, the only difference was that he was more efficient.

The hope is in adjustments from Rick. DFS on PG and Maxi on Kawhi is not working. We need to try going smaller on them to keep up. JRich on PG and DFS on Kawhi would be the best counter move we have. 

When KP and THJ are both on the court it makes it far too easy for LAC to score. Unless they’re both hot, their times on the court need to be staggered. Can’t not start KP for reasons so it’s THJ that will need to come off the bench. Lower the KP minutes. Powell needs major run 

Luka
JRich
DFS
Maxi 
KP

Pull KP and Maxi early for THJ and Powell. Go small and if it works then do it the whole game. We have no choice. Batum is their center. We look like we’re out there moving in slow motion. Way too big to keep up

Just from my eyetest THJ forced the most misses against Kawhi. He had some good possessions in the 2nd quarter. Just looked at the tracking data

Defense vs Kawhi:

Kleber 20/34 FG 5/13 3PA 14/15 FT 3tov
THJ 5/10 FG 1/2 3PA 2/2 FT 3tov
KP 7/10 FG 1/1 FT
Doncic 4/8 FG 2/3 3PA  2/2 FT 1tov
DFS 5/6 FG  2/3 3PA 3/4 FT 1tov

Defense vs PG

DFS 13/25 FG 5/12 3PA 9/10 FT 4tov
Richardson 3/6 FG 1/3 3PA 1tov
THJ 6/12 FG 0/3 3PA
Doncic 1/4 FG  3/3 FT (remember the FTs, stupid foul from Luka. Shot clock at 0.3s and he jumps into PG)
KP 6/13 FG 0/4 3PA 5/5 FTA
Kleber 3/4 FG 1tov

The tracking data isn´t perfect but I am not sure if going smalll against both helps. Would increase the pressure on the handle/creation of the dribble but DFS and Maxi are getting bullied as well. Would probably be even worse against a smaller defender.
Just sucks that the Mavs don´t have a big wing. Have to use light weight DFS or mobile bigs like Kleber and Melli. Both can defend the perimeter on switches or against stretch bigs but shouldn´t be asked to play iso defense against the best or 2nd best (KD) iso wing in the league.

(05-31-2021, 07:51 AM)burekemde Wrote: [ -> ]The adjustment to be made may look complex but I think its very simple. First of all we need to bring back our best defenders in the game. That means Jrich instead of THJ. And Powell needs to play a lot more as his defensive movement is great and thats what we need now as nobody anyway can block Kawhi or PG. 

Secondly on offense we need to set off ball screens to Jrich for mid game range. He is automatic from there in mid range game. The focus has been to shut down the other players and this is the way to start going and this would give Jrich the offensive juatification to start him. We all know he is a ton better defender than THJ. If anyone can disrupt the Clippers on our roster, its Jrich.

Powell as rolling the rim and KP stretching the floor. KP should not go more inside in this series. He cant do it. This will also keep him more fresh for the defense.

Id go with Luka, Jrich, DFS, Powell, KP. Defensive movement will be A LOT better. Yes nobody here can still stop Kawhi and PG but at least as a team defense and.movement and help defense will improve IMO. On offense we get weapons we need to target the Clippers with. Midrange game and rim rolling. Redifine how to use KP and only make him stretch. This will improve his defensive effort. 

These adjustments could win us the next game.

Yes, if the Mavs can get some effective rim rolling going, it should accomplish at least two things:

1.  Increase the chances of easy buckets and also drawing fouls on the Clips and getting to the line
2.  Should draw defenders and increase open looks from outside, but the Mavs who are rolling to the rim have to be       effective passers to the outside shooters, a la LeBron, who is the best at that.

And I agree that DP has to play more, as Maxi has just not been any benefit vs the Clips so far.  And JRich is pretty deadly on his mid range jump shot if he can get to the 15 foot area, so I agree with starting him next game.  I just cringe every time DFS tries to take off dribbling with the ball, as nothing good often seems to come after that.

(05-31-2021, 09:33 AM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]Just from my eyetest THJ forced the most misses against Kawhi.

Yeah absolutely. My memory from the series was that THJ and Luka actually had the most success against Kawhi and PG....not sure you can "assign" them there long term....but they have done admirable enough.

The Mavs have a win left in them if Luka recovers.  I think the OP is a bit pessimistic. The Mavs got a leg up to start the series with the five out lineups and three point shooting, sacrificing all semblance of speed and agility.  The Clippers finally countered by going small and athletic. The Mavs responded with something stupid yesterday — double down on the lumbering big, no athleticism lineups. It’s so misguided a vision, I don’t count that as a legit adjustment, more a stubborn decision born of frustration. With a clearer head, now the coaching staff can play their final card. The Mavs will have to go smaller, faster, and more athletic. Give fewer minutes to KP and the Euros and more to guys like Powell, JRich, Green, and maybe Burke.  If the Mav’s tall lumberers can’t even hold their own on the boards, then they can’t play in this series.

(05-31-2021, 06:16 AM)mavsluvr Wrote: [ -> ]MAVERICKS TAKE A WHOOPING IN GAME FOUR
SERIES TIED 2-2 GOING BACK TO LA

...
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. 
...
Once more into the breach, Mavs fans!

Yeah, to your point ML, Mavs are ready for vacation tickets if Luka isn't able to play healthy.  Reminds me a lot of the Suns in this current playoff series when Chris Paul was too injured to shoot straight.  He recovered enough to shoot and suddenly the Suns win another game to tie the series while the Lakers take the injury bug. 

Luka has to be healthy for the Mavs to win.  
That said, Boban was the only player on the roster with a positive +/- at +3 for the game.  
In less than 15 min he shot 5/9 and pulled down 6 rebounds. 
With Luka hurting he literally looked like the only Mav player that gave the Clippers difficulty in guarding. 

Sure they ran the PnR at him to get him off the floor but as often is the case his +/- indicates that he was giving more than he was taking from his Mavs.  
Marjanovic is probably not going key a big comeback once you let the team fall behind big.  You need to get stops and score in that case.  On the other hand if you need to score and rebound to keep pace and hold off a fast run against you or even better if you need to keep scoring to  hold on to a lead, he could really help. 

It looked to me like Dallas was staying afloat during his early run but Carlisle with his system couldn't really bring himself to press that advantage.  As we discussed, he wants to with defense, except that the defense cratered even more after Bobi.

Mavs losing to the Clips is not the end of the world.   However let us be realistic here. Even the Grizzlies are more made for playoff basketball than the Mavs current roster. That is disappointing in year 3 of Luka. It is another wasted year. 

Mavs losing is not disappointing. However time and again the front office feeling that players like Maxi, DFS, Powell are part of a core unit is disappointing.  They are just good bench rotational players. Fans too can’t pump up these guys the whole year to jump up in defense of the front office and the minute they inevitably lose in the playoffs, say how these guys are not all that great. I love them all but let us not delude ourselves and continue to make excuses for this front office.

(06-01-2021, 07:35 AM)hakeemfaan Wrote: [ -> ]I love them all but let us not delude ourselves and continue to make excuses for this front office.

Hey, when the front office makes this big of a mistake on a MAX player, then I think it's fair to question every other decision they've made, too.

(06-01-2021, 07:52 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Hey, when the front office makes this big of a mistake on a MAX player, then I think it's fair to question every other decision they've made, too.

Yep, they made the mistake that this coaching staff could get the best use out of that MAX player.

(06-01-2021, 08:10 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]Yep, they made the mistake that this coaching staff could get the best use out of that MAX player.

Very true.

The blame lies everywhere to some extent....

Donnie/Cuban.

RC.

KP.

Even Luka.


I personally put most of the responsibility on KP and RC. But that's just me and that's just speculation.

(06-01-2021, 08:37 AM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]Very true.

The blame lies everywhere to some extent....

Donnie/Cuban.

RC.

KP.

Even Luka.


I personally put most of the responsibility on KP and RC. But that's just me and that's just speculation.

In all honesty, as much as I'd love to put some of this on Donnie/Cuban, they just traded pretty much everything they had to get KP and he was getting the max from some team. I can't fault them for the trade or the contract.

Edit: I guess the blame lies in the transactions following the trade and contract. THAT I agree with!

Let me say it like this. Has RC ever lost a series in which he was favored? No. Has he ever underperformed in the regular season? No. Posters actually blamed him when the Mavs won more games than they should in the pre Luka seasons/last Dirk seasons. Hurting the tank. Don´t think the "coach" RC is to blame. Can certainly quesiton his role in the roster building process.
I don´t think the KP trade was a mistake but I do think that people overrate NY KP. He was a project. One of the most promising ones in the league but not a winning player. Fast forward and it didn´t work out. Don´t blame anyone but it is time to move on.
When it comes to the overall performance of the MBT however I am incredible frustrated. First of all. It´s really difficult to single out one guy and that´s probably  one of the problems. Inbreeding/nepotism without any outside input for 10+ years. We don´t need to repeat the same old stories (plan powder, no proper tank, missing out in free agency, overpaying vets). My big question. Who is the driving force behind those decisions. Is it Cuban that lacks the patience for a proper roster build. Prefers to trade draft picks for vets and and always chases the big names? Is it Donnie that simply isn´t the best when it comes to talent evaluation. Cannot read the market. Is it RC that struggles to find the fitting pieces for his own scheme?

Personally I get the feeling that it goes like this: Cuban>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Donnie>RC

And that´s a problem. GMs like Morey or Massai for example want full control. No interference from the owner.

I have been critical of RC this year mainly because I felt the offense is a schoolyard type one that asks Luka to do too much. 

However maybe the offense is fine and we just need better shooters and one more legit ball handler in there. 

However when it comes to KP my feeling has changed. I used to blame RC but more I see Ayton play why can’t KP do that? You don’t need any plays to rebound on the defensive end and dunk on the offensive end. KP seems too comfortable on the perimeter. I don’t blame RC anymore for that. I think that’s  what KP wants.  I am still torn on giving him up because I am not sure this particular front office can get someone close to his talent even if he is underperforming this year.

(06-01-2021, 01:54 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: [ -> ]I have been critical of RC this year mainly because I felt the offense is a schoolyard type one that asks Luka to do too much. 

However maybe the offense is fine and we just need better shooters and one more legit ball handler in there. 

However when it comes to KP my feeling has changed. I used to blame RC but more I see Ayton play why can’t KP do that? You don’t need any plays to rebound on the defensive end and dunk on the offensive end. KP seems too comfortable on the perimeter. I don’t blame RC anymore for that. I think that’s  what KP wants.  I am still torn on giving him up because I am not sure this particular front office can get someone close to his talent even if he is underperforming this year.

I agree about Ayton. He's playing great against Drummond ( who's M.I.A.) and AD.  People were questioning him the last two seasons, but he's stepped up. Sometimes it takes bigs longer to develop, than wings and guards.  I also believe CP3's presence has a lot to do with it.  I don't know if KP has the motivation it takes to be good to great, he says he does but I truly don't know.