Mavs 113, Clippers 103

[mavsluvr]

I actually thought that Kawhi guarding KP was a smart move. Completly takes away the Luka-KP pick and roll/pop. Gives the Clippers a quick help defender that can roam around the court and still recover in time. RC made the right adjustment in the 4th quarter and parked KP in the corner. That´s the best way to limit Kawhi´s defensive impact. He cannot help off KP and is not involved on defense. Obviously not great for KP but if him being a decoy wins the Mavs the series this is the way to go.
The chess game will continue. I don´t think having Kawhi on Luka helps them. Mavs will continue to set screens and find the weak link. He cannot get over every single screen. Not to mention that Luka is nearly unstoppable in a more traditional pick and roll. If Luka gets a step and the inside position with the defender on his back it is game over for the opposing defense. Layup/floater if the big stays with the roll man. Pass to the roll man if the big steps up. Pass to the corner if the defense collapses and a third/fourth guy tries to help.

I wonder if the Clippers will go small again. They finished the last game with both Ibaka and Zubac on the bench. Would be huge if the Mavs could force them to do it again. KP was completly outmatched in the first half but in the last few minutes of the game he actually made some plays against an undersized Clippers front court (Batum/Morris).

Excellent points. 

I think the Clippers usually close with a small lineup. Depending on how the game is going, I could see them thinking they need to try something different.