05-23-2021, 05:39 AM
A thing that worries me - Mavs were shooting extremely well and Clippers very badly, yet the game was still very close. But Mavs are really confident while Clippers entered playoffs with a losers mentality going all in to lose against two of the worst teams in the league.
Clippers were trying to attack Luka by switching him on Kawhi, but Mavs responded really well with immediate double team Clippers failed to punish.
Mavs still have reserves though. A couple of reckless lost balls too many and KP has to do better. I am sure he is frustrated for not being involved more, but that is a consequence of not being able to exploit your height advantage. He can't beat Kawhi and his long arms one on one and he should be just forbidden to put it on the floor in these situations. He needs to be active without the ball, attack the glass and everything will come to him. Also more energy on defense would be nice.
Clippers are a nice match up for Mavs. They can hide THJ on their PG and Luka on their PF, whoever they put to play on those positions. PG and Kawhi are good players but they were far from unstoppable and they are just not good enough distributing the ball. I would try to play Kennard at PG.
Clippers were trying to attack Luka by switching him on Kawhi, but Mavs responded really well with immediate double team Clippers failed to punish.
Mavs still have reserves though. A couple of reckless lost balls too many and KP has to do better. I am sure he is frustrated for not being involved more, but that is a consequence of not being able to exploit your height advantage. He can't beat Kawhi and his long arms one on one and he should be just forbidden to put it on the floor in these situations. He needs to be active without the ball, attack the glass and everything will come to him. Also more energy on defense would be nice.
Clippers are a nice match up for Mavs. They can hide THJ on their PG and Luka on their PF, whoever they put to play on those positions. PG and Kawhi are good players but they were far from unstoppable and they are just not good enough distributing the ball. I would try to play Kennard at PG.