06-05-2021, 06:34 PM
(06-05-2021, 07:20 AM)ThisIStheYear Wrote: Such a golden opportunity. The Clippers came in here and pretty much laid an egg outside of Kawhi and a great first quarter from Jackson. Down the stretch, the Mavs let the only serious threat they faced beat them. They didn’t even try to trick up the defense. In contrast, the Clippers threw every defensive look available at Luka. When they go back to LA, PG and the rest of the Clippers supporting cast will be much better. I doubt that the Mavs will get another chance to win this series by just playing a solid game. They’ll have to come up with one of the greatest games in franchise history. Victory would be a shock.
A squandered opportunity, and I'm sure they all know it. Don't know if you caught Luka's post-game interview, but he looked about as crushed as I've ever seen him.
I was very puzzled that the Mavs didn't make more of an effort to take the ball out of Kawhi's hands. I realize that double-teaming has its own risks, but he was absolutely destroying them, and it is hard to imagine the alternative would have been worse. It's not like he suddenly came on strong in the last few minutes and they weren't prepared for it, or anything.
Some head scratchers in this one.