GAME 4 Playoffs 2024: Minnesota Timberwolves (0-3) vs. Dallas Mavericks (3-0)

[KillerLeft]

Called into work 30 minutes before tip off. I guess I didn't miss much. How did the center rotation look without Lively?

Gafford actually did better than I expected. It was kind of the opposite of Game 3. Some good moments throughout, but then key errors down the stretch. He gave up a three to Edwards (the dagger) that the whole world could see coming because he was in high drop instead of at the level. Kidd probably should’ve closed with Kleber, frankly, but I felt like Gafford had one of his better games, overall. 

Kleber was very good, considering it was his first action in some time. His defensive positioning was excellent, and he had a positive effect on the game during his time on the court. He was noticeably either afraid or too uncomfortable to shoot his open threes, passing 2-3 wide open ones up and missing the 1-2 he took. There were a couple of times I thought any other Maverick would have hit the floor going after loose balls when he stayed on his feet… I think he was a little bit rusty and hesitant in those 50/50 ball situations. 

Powell didn’t play very much at all, but I was pretty disappointed in his time, so that was probably the right call.

I don’t think beating the Timberwolves without Dereck Lively is an easy thing at all, and it didn’t seem like the Mavericks came into this one understanding how hard it would be without those 2-3 stretches where Lively causes havoc on both ends. They got killed on the glass, and in the paint, which is a departure from the rest of the series. I think they could possibly close the series out without lively, but it would take someone stepping up and playing above the level they have played in the series, while in this one almost everyone played below the level they had established.

Hardy and Exum both looked good, but I was pretty surprised that Kidd extended his rotation in a closeout game, rather than tightening it a little. I was pretty surprised to see Hardy start the fourth and get a significant extension of his court time. Kind of thought that was a mistake, despite him having a good close to the third. 

Seriously, it’s like Jason Kidd thought the series was over, and it was CRYSTAL clear that Luka and Kyrie thought it was over. I’m sure much will be made of the defensive adjustments on those guys from Minnesota, and I think that did play a significant part, at least in limiting Kyrie Irving, but Luka could’ve scored 20 more points than he did, pretty easily. He passed when he should have shot and shot when he should have passed. Neither of them played worth a piss at all, except for a few amazing moments here or there, which, they accomplish that just by rolling out of bed.

Overall, one team didn’t want to get swept, and so did not give up. The other one might’ve been feeling themselves a little too much coming into this one. Hopefully, they wake up ready to play on Thursday and close this thing out.