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

[Smitty]

I actually don’t think the games have been very close. The SCORES have been close.

I think Dallas significantly outplayed Minnesota in the first three games, and not even in the same way every time, and I think Dallas kind of got their butts kicked in this one.

If Dereck Lively doesn’t play again, there is a chance they will lose game 6, but I kind of doubt it. Luka and Kyrie are both killers, and this will piss them off.

There were two adjustments on Minnesota’s part that seemed significant:

1) McDaniels on Kyrie is a problem.

2) they made the “just play better” adjustment for KAT. Him not being the worst player on the court for either team is a problem.

Since they know about both of those things coming into game six, my guess is that Kyrie looks a little bit better, but that really, we will see Luka have a much better game (Edwards guarding him is NOT a problem). Knowing they have to worry about Towns a little bit more will help wake up the defense a little, too, and to be honest, even though he is clearly capable of great things, offensively, he is just as likely to be absolute crap again.

I thought Gobert/s physicality was difference making in this one, but again, that is just a matter of getting Dereck Lively back on the court, imo.

Already talking about Game 6. I like your style. But in all seriousness, there will be a ton of pressure on the Mavs if there is a Game 6.

I’ve been pretty consistent that I thought the Mavs would split at home and the Wolves would win Game 5 at home, after getting a tiny bit of momentum… but then LuKai would shut it down, again, at home. A potential Game 6 would make all of us very nervous though.