06-03-2021, 09:46 PM
(06-03-2021, 06:52 PM)mavsluvr Wrote: Two items I have been pondering --
1. One of the main problems in this game and series has been that the non-Luka units are getting absolutely destroyed. One doesn't expect them to build a lead, but they should be able to at least come close to holding their own, and instead they are hemorrhaging points. The adjustment in this game was to slash those minutes to the bone, with Luka getting only 6 minutes of rest, and THJ only three (!). I'm not sure how long they can keep that up, with only a day of rest between games. Any adjustments, or are they just stuck with the situation?
2. Luka and Timmy were the only Mavs in double figures. Kenny Smith made the observation that if the Mavs had had five guys in double figures, they might well have lost. The thought being that they made the right decision to give most of the shots to their best scorers. (Tim and Luka combined for 56 of Dallas' 89 shot attempts.) Is he right about this?
Great questions!
There have been times past where we were able to build successful non Luka lineups with KP, but it doesn't seem like this season's KP is that guy. Ideally Brunson should be able to run a successful non Luka lineup, but it looks like not vs the Clips and in his first playoff run.
One thing our second unit failures in this series say to me is that the Clipper's D really is very good. Pundits watch Luka carve them up and say "I thought KL, PG and crew were supposed to be a great defense." The answer to me is that they are. And that Luka can still do what he wants.