Game 76 Dirkie Thread PJAIL

[soog]

This team looks tired. Everyone had heavy legs. Luka looked frustrated the whole game. No one could really shoot besides PJ. These refs were horrible.

Yet despite all of that the Mavs found a way to pull away. And they pulled away in a pretty decisive fashion. I mean Luka didn't even play in the 1st quarter where he scored 0 points, turned it over I'm pretty sure 3 times.

Gafford had probably his worst game as a Mav. This is coming off of another bad game previously against the Warriors. I think between the travel, the fact Lively is out, and just general ebb and flow, he's pooped. Hopefully he can recuperate and get back to his former self because now that Lively is out we need him bad.

Luka is like a wrecking ball. He is going to knock down whatever is in his way regardless if the game prefers a surgical approach. I mean he will force his way to 30 from sheer force, and it's remarkable he can do it. Tonight was one of those nights. He is definitely still playing through stuff. He also looks tired. He also was incredibly frustrated by the refs (and for good reason). But Luka still destroyed the Hawks in the 3rd and made sure the Mavs had a big lead. Good game from him.

Now speaking of a surgical approach, Kyrie Irving was a master tonight. He picked his spots basically right up until the 4th quarter. He absolutely destroyed the Hawks. He might've only had 26 points but the timing of them were so needed. He settled everyone down after a rough 1st quarter and the Mavs found their groove.

Maxi freaking Kleber had his best game in a month tonight. Offensively he had a solid 3. He found a way to create a shot off the dribble. But his defense was stifling. He alone probably prevented 12 points at the rim tonight. He absolutely embarrassed every single Hawk player that dared to go at him. I was going to vote him Dirkie if it was for....

PJ!!! In a game where no one could seemingly find a rhythm offensively, it was PJ to the rescue. His early 3s in the 1st kept the Mavs connected and not down 12 going into the 2nd. His defense throughout the game was also just suffocating. So much so that even Followill commentated that the duo of him and Maxi made life hell for the Hawk players. But his 3pt shooting really was a story of tonight. Great game from him and I love to see that he's still shooting it. Dirkie for PJ!

Great write up. On thing I noticed on Gafford - GSW prioritized taking him out of the game. They bumped him off his route when he would roll to the basket off of screens and they ALWAYS had 1 to 2 bodies on him the second a shot went up. I think some of the reason his production is dropping is that he is becoming a focal point of opponents’ game plans.

This just means guys like Washington and DJJ will have more opportunity and have to keep stepping up