(03-27-2022, 08:51 PM)Kammrath Wrote: DAL in 4th. 

1 game ahead of UTA. 

2 games behind GSW.

GSW has MEM, PHX, and UTA in their next three. 

DAL has LAL, CLE, and WAS in their next three.

I really think DAL can get the three seed if they bring their intensity.

(03-27-2022, 08:58 PM)Jason Terry Wrote: 1. Suns vs. 8. Clippers 

2. Grizzlies vs. 7. Nuggets 

3. Mavericks vs. 6. Wolves

4. Warriors vs. 5. Jazz

This would be best

(03-28-2022, 12:01 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: I just don't like our chances against a fully healthy Jazz team.

(03-28-2022, 12:15 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: At this point, I'm going to be disappointed and a little surprised if the Mavs don't get out of the first round. Every time I think they're sinking back to Earth, they are able to turn the defensive intensity up two notches and change the game. We've seen it for like three months now. 

I don't fear Denver, Utah, Memphis or Minnesota in a 7-game series, personally. 

I think PHX and GS (if healthy enough) are probably still a little too experienced/mature to let the Mavs beat them.

(03-28-2022, 12:28 PM)MaxiThreeba Wrote: I actually think the Mavs match up pretty well with the Warriors.  Mavs have been able to bother Steph and the Warriors may not have an answer for Luka.  I think that's a team the Mavs can get to the rim on consistently.

Recency bias alert...I don't love the Wolves matchup.  I think the Mavs win that series but they present a tough matchup.  End of the day they probably don't play enough defense in a 7 game series but they are a scary lower seed.

The Jazz concern me with a healthy Rudy because they make the Mavs even more 3 pt dependent than usual.  Would be an interesting chess match for sure.  

Not sure how I feel about the Nuggets.  Jokic would eat for sure.

(03-28-2022, 01:11 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: There are unique advantages and disadvantages involved with every potential matchup for the Mavs. We could talk about those all day, and that would not be wasted time. "Styles make fights."

What I'm talking about is combining maturity, knowledge and experience WITH the the talent/style matchups you're envisioning (I think). 

I just feel for a variety of reasons that the Mavs are more poised to succeed right now than any of the teams I mentioned, especially in a 7-game series. 

I don't think Minnesota will be able to score well enough against Dallas once their transition offense is taken off of the table, which seems to happen more often than not in the playoffs. I think that might be the least scary team on the list, actually. Success is VERY new to them. 

Memphis is clearly more talented than Dallas, overall, but again, I don't believe they have the requisite playoff experience to be much of a threat (probably most worried about being wrong about this one). Going forward into the next few years, this will be a team to watch, for sure. 

Denver is great, and the home court advantage there is very real, but mitigated somewhat by the extra rest involved with a playoff series. And, without Murray, I'm sorry - they're just not scary, imo. 

Utah is MORE experienced than Dallas, and who knows, maybe they'll turn it on in the playoffs, but...I've been following them pretty closely over the past couple of months, and they are struggling!  Gobert/Mitchell don't get along. The defense hasn't been as reliable as in years past, and more and more often, teams are simply switching the pick and roll against them, knowing Gobert has no offense if you take the roll away (sound familiar, Mavs fans?) and (here's the difference relative to Dallas) Mitchell has not really figured out how to make them pay for this strategy. To me, this feels like a team about to lose in the first round and get blown up this summer. 

GS (if healthy) knows more about how to win in the playoffs than any three teams in the top 8 combined. For me, that could potentially be scary. Ditto for PHX, but literally only because of Chris Paul. The rest of that team is great, too, but it's Chris Paul who puts the fear into my heart, personally.

(03-28-2022, 02:05 PM)MaxiThreeba Wrote: I can appreciate everything you said here.  I don't think the Mavs are good enough to feel like they'd walk over anybody, but I also don't think they're any worse than a "pick 'em" against everyone except PHX.

(03-28-2022, 02:38 PM)Hypermav Wrote: https://twitter.com/townbrad/status/1508454306533494795?s=20&t=7NiDKbokIjUpxnz5Ep9-rQ

Nice gesture on Luka's part but I posted it more for the look at Luka's size compared to the fans and he doesn't look overweight here.  I will concede he hasn't looked as quick the last couple of games.

(03-28-2022, 03:06 PM)michaeltex Wrote: Seems like Luka's been fighting an ankle thing off and on all season. May be one of those things you can't really get over until you have a few weeks off.

(03-28-2022, 01:08 PM)Jommybone Wrote: Don’t get the Minny fear. They might not even make it out of the play in. Elevation is a big factor with Denver and Bad City. But the team plays a slow brand of ball that travels well. Warriors are scary when healthy. But there’s little reason to anticipate health. And the Griz are still awfully young. Give me anybody but Phoenix and I’m betting on the Mavs.