05-23-2021, 10:14 AM
(05-23-2021, 10:06 AM)fifteenth Wrote: maybe a key is this: is the Mavs defense somewhat responsible for the poor shooting?
Definitely, but after rewatching, "somewhat" is exactly the word I'd use. Lots of wide open shots did not drop for the Clippers in game 1. Almost all of them did for the Mavs, and in fact, THJ and DFS hit some 3's that were more contested than the kind we like them to shoot.
I'm thinking of one possession, late in the fourth, when the lead was bouncing back and forth. The Clippers were making their push for the win. THJ got the ball and either KP or Kleber set a non-productive screen for him, basically resulting in Leonard face guarding THJ on the right wing. Rather than keep the ball moving, Hardaway dribbled between his legs and hoisted up a 3. It wasn't very well contested, but it was certainly not open. It was exactly the type of shot his detractors despise, in fact. Last night, the result was *swish* and another new Mavs lead. On the rewatch, I really did come away thinking it was just the Mavs' night.
I'm not trying to detract from their victory. They earned it. It's not like the Clippers gave them the game or anything. I just feel like on a scale of 1-10 that game was a 9.5 for Dallas and about a 6 for the Clippers, with the result being in question with 2 minutes remaining.