Small-Ball Antidote???

[F Gump]

I think you guys are arguing over the effect as if it's the cause.

That is to say, I think LAC has indeed gone big in this series - but that it has less to do with their own personnel, and more to do with Lue thinking they can't win if they give away the middle to Gafford/Lively and a procession of dunks, because it's too lethal.

We're not used to it, but I think that's what we are seeing - a Mavs strength is being reacted to, changing the opponents choices, rather than the Mavs having to be the ones reacting.

And I find it impressive that despite the attempts to slow them, Gafford/Lively are finding ways to still be a problem to LAC, and more so as the series is going along. It can all change in a game - or even a bad quarter - but right now the Mavs bigs are out-bigging LAC's bigs.

I'm thinking that is where LUE began - we have to play big, not small, or else we're toast - as his baseline path to winning. But the Mavs have figured out that they are simply better at BIG ball in this series, and now LAC seems to be between a rock and a hard place because they are getting bullied no matter what.

I'm not sure that LAC can win with small ball (unless the Mavs play it too), because LAC lacks the shooting (Mavs are able to defend it), and then the lack of size means DAL gets easy shots, putbacks, and stops drives to the basket.

Bully ball. To me these games feel like a MIA Heat approach in a lot of ways.