2024 Playoffs- 3rd Round: Minnesota Timberwolves - Dallas Mavericks- MAVS WIN 4-1!

[Smitty]

Im honestly hesitant right now putting PJ at the 5. We hadn't played with much of it and Minny has a lot of size 2-5 to punish that type of playstyle. It essentially turns our gameplan from attacking the paint to having to hit our 3s. 

If PJ/DJJ/THJ/Exum/Green all are hitting, then Minny will probably be blown out with that 5 out strategy, but are we willing to run that risk given how ice cold some of those guys have been?

I certainly get the point of keeping our size to match theirs. I just remember Maxi/Luka playing Gobert off the court with 5-out. It brings Gobert to the perimeter and offsets some of his rim protection and rebounding. I don't think it's something we do for half the game or anything, more of a wrinkle - especially if Gafford looks like he did in the previous two series... I don't think Lively can play 35+ minutes. PJ just gives you the 5-out element and another Gafford alternative at times.

But to your point, I love that we have two centers that can play vertically and protect the rim.