(05-20-2024, 12:55 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: IF Luka is starting to feel better (big if) then McDaniels won’t be able to stand up to his size and strength. Edwards, however, has a chance to give him the Dort treatment, and I expect MIN to try that some. But, that will come at the expense of the Wolves’ best and only truly consistent offensive creator having less energy on offense.

When Minnesota doubles, they will be BIG doubles, and I imagine that makes life untenable for most ball-handlers, but Luka has the size to see over the top and get the ball out effectively (again, if he’s healthy enough).

If Dallas can force MIN into some switches, nobody on their roster outside of Edwards and McDaniels has any chance of bothering Luka in the slightest (once again, if he’s feeling good and playing well).

On the other end, I feel really good about DJJ, PJ, the Mavs’ team defense slowing down Edwards and especially KAT.

There are definitely ways this could play out other than what I’m describing above, but that’s how I HOPE it will go down.

Mavs in 6.

(05-20-2024, 02:04 PM)Winter Wrote: This is the only game during the season that the Mavs won. It's also the only regular season game where Doncic and Irving both played (and Powell was the starting center).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf0Nv9B2CaI

(05-20-2024, 01:40 PM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: All good points. But you realize Luka and Kyrie have to guard them too. As well as DJJ and PJ. McDaniels, Reid, Anderson, and Kat are far bigger than the Clippers and Thunder front courts. It works both ways for either team.

(05-20-2024, 02:12 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Powell played 28 minutes.

THJ 31 minutes

Grant Williams played 20 minutes.

Seth Curry played 15 minutes

Mavs closing lineup was Luka/Kyrie/THJ/DJJ/Powell

(05-20-2024, 02:10 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: I don't really think MIN will take the chance of putting Edwards on Luka. If he's overly rambunctious (and he can be at times), him picking up 2 or 3 quick fouls can change an entire game.

Kyrie for whatever reason doesn't get the same calls (even if the contact is there). If anything I think the Mavs will invite an Edwards switch and let Luka work him in the post.

(05-20-2024, 02:10 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: I don't really think MIN will take the chance of putting Edwards on Luka. If he's overly rambunctious (and he can be at times), him picking up 2 or 3 quick fouls can change an entire game.

Kyrie for whatever reason doesn't get the same calls (even if the contact is there). If anything I think the Mavs will invite an Edwards switch and let Luka work him in the post.

(05-20-2024, 12:28 PM)MaxiThreeba Wrote: At first blush, my initial big questions:

- Can the Mavs front court of Gafford, Lively and PJ hold their own on the boards against Gobert, KAT and Naz?
- Can the Mavs find enough offense from the grab bag of THJ, Green, Exum and Hardy to combat what the Wolves get from Conley and NAW?
- What pair of "others" plays better, DJJ and PJ or McDaniels and Naz?
- Will Kai find a way to be aggressive for 4 quarters and make Ant work now that he likely gets to guard Conley instead of having to battle SGA and Williams?
- Will we see the healthier looking version of Luka we saw in Games 5 and 6 for a full series?  McDaniels is an elite defender but won't beat Luka up physically the way Dort tried to.
- Do the Mavs have an answer for the KAT, Naz minutes without Maxi?  Will Maxi make it back this series and if so, can he be effective against those lineups?


The obvious questions that are there in every series remain as well:

- Who shoots the 3 better?
- Who rebounds better?
- Who takes care of the ball better?

(05-20-2024, 02:49 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: If Dallas’ strategy is to force Ant to switch onto Luka, i suspect that Minny’s counter will be to double and force the ball out of his hands.

Wondering what the chess match will look like as the series progresses.

(05-20-2024, 02:29 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: Minnesota matchups were easily Powell's best games of the season. And I think that was the main reason the Mavs won/nearly won the other game. He probably won't play in the series but the Mavs need similar or better production from Gafford/Lively to have a chance. Cannot get completly destroyed in the center matchup. Best case scenario is obviously what Powell did in the win against the T'Wolves. Draw fouls on Gobert and Towns and limit their time on the floor.

(05-20-2024, 03:07 PM)surfpuckmd Wrote: I agree that we should start Dwight Powell if that's what your suggesting.  

Seriously, I don't think this will be a good series for Daniel Gafford and I'm a huge Gafford supporter.  

I think Lively needs to start and I would consider playing Powell over Gafford if Gafford struggles to cover Naz and KAT from deep.

(05-20-2024, 03:07 PM)surfpuckmd Wrote: I agree that we should start Dwight Powell if that's what your suggesting.  

Seriously, I don't think this will be a good series for Daniel Gafford and I'm a huge Gafford supporter.  

I think Lively needs to start and I would consider playing Powell over Gafford if Gafford struggles to cover Naz and KAT from deep.

(05-20-2024, 02:28 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Totally, and like others have said, this is a hard one to predict. 

Where I'm at today, right now:

I trust Luka/Kyrie more than I trust Edwards (at this stage) and especially KAT, who has been one of the most inconsistent guys in the postseason. 

AND, I'm sorry, win or lose (because this will be a damn hard season), I'm grateful the Mavs don't have to play Denver. It might be that they were never going to beat EITHER of them, but at least in this series the Mavs are the more experienced team.

(05-20-2024, 03:45 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: Who would have thought Keyshawn would fitneifht in with the rest of the gas bags?

https://x.com/kristenisbored/status/1792606688962334955

Shannon sharpe things McGee could be the answer

https://x.com/txzambrano/status/1792625217858142553?s=46&t=iwQP5yZoJF3Ulzfb9MH7Cg