Mavs 97, Clippers 104

[mavsluvr]

MAVERICKS A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT
SERIES TIED 3-3

A hard-fought battle that looked promising for the Mavs for much of the game sputtered in the last few minutes. Dang. 


GAME STORY

Rick decided to stick with his super-sized starting lineup of Luka-THJ-DFS-KP-Boban. Ty Lue also stayed with his starting unit of Jackson, PG, Kawhi, Morris, and Batum.  

FIRST QUARTER

Luka opened the scoring with a bucket over Paul George. The Dallas zone gave up an open three to PG. THJ responded with an open three of his own! After a Jackson turnover, DFS was fouled on a drive to the basket. Two free throws — check, check. The Mavs were defending fiercely, successfully challenging shots. The Clips took a brief lead at 8-7. Boban scored from KP. Luka floated one over his defender, and Hardaway followed with a corner three with a hand in his face!  Mavs 14-10 at 7:05.

KP hit a wide open three from the left side, sending the crowd into cheers. Boban backed his defender down for a jump hook. Luka bailed Kawhi out with a foul, but it was on the floor.  Luka hit a midranges shot over a defender. Morris fouled Luka on a three-point attempt. He sank all three like a champ, while “MVP” chants echoed around the arena. Jackson kept the Clips afloat with his threes. Hardaway was in a zone with a contested midrange. 26-24 Mavs at 3:20.

Powell entered the floor, and drew a foul off the ball on Batum. Jackson tied the game at 26-all. Luka hit a fadeaway at the end of the shot clock that drew admiring applause. The Mavs forced a shot clock violation. Reggie finally missed a shot, over Maxi’s determined defense. Luka closed the quarter with a shot over Morris, which was disallowed for being late. 28-26 Mavs after one. 

Luka led the Mavs with 11 points. Reggie, 6-8 from the field, had 14 for LA.

SECOND QUARTER

A Luka-less lineup began the second. Gulp. J Rich floated in a mid-range shot. PG split a pair of FTAs. Brunson put in a hoop. Rondo airmailed a three, drawing Bronx cheers from the crowd. JB buried a long three! Powell’s second foul was called for a brush with PG. George split another two. WCS came in for Dwight. Hardaway flashed to the basket for a bucket. WCS blocked a shot. The pace was frenetic! Timeout called at 7:22. 37-30 Mavs! The bench unit had a 9-4 run!! Yay!

Luka re-entered and drew a foul from PG. Two freebies dropped! Kawhi had back-to-back buckets, followed by a J Rich bucket. WCS forced a jump ball with PG. He tipped it to a Clipper, and Kawhi made it 7 straight points. A second foul on Luka was the fifth on the Mavs and put Jackson at the line. Boban was brought back in. Boban was called for a foul as Morris pulled him down. Boos rang around the AAC. The free throws brought the Clips within one, after the Mavs had built a 9-point lead. A put back dunk by Kawhi gave the Clips a lead, but KP answered with a rim-rocker! Timeout at 2:32. 43-42 Mavs. 

Luka had a transition basket on a Clips turnover. KP was called for pushing George. Luka sailed the ball out of bounds on a transition opportunity. Kawhi recaptured the lead. Luka turned the ball over again with a long pass which was intercepted. Kawhi scored again. Luka missed a buzzer-beater, and the Clips closed the half up 48-45. 

The Mavs had only 17 points in the quarter, completing only 7 of their 22 shot attempts, and suffering a 2-10 deficit in FTAs. The Clippers were almost as bad from the field, and their advantage in free throws made (5) accounted for the difference in the period’s scoring. Kawhi had 13 points, while the Mavs’ leading scorer was JB with 5. Yuck. The Mavs closed the quarter very poorly, but were only 3 points behind, and just looked like they might need to calm down a bit. 

THIRD QUARTER

The third quarter started badly, with the Mavs giving up an offensive rebound and then turning the ball over and giving free throws to Batum. But the tide turned for a bit. Boban was fouled and hit both free throws. Jackson drove and scored. Boban scored inside. And then again! A transition dunk from KP after a steal brought the house down! Timeout 9:27. 53-52 Mavs. 

THJ dashed into the paint for a bucket. He followed it up with a corner three! George missed another free throw. THJ dropped another basket after Luka faked a pass to Boban and gave it to Tim. Boban scored again! Kawhi tumped himself over on a dunk. DFS fired from three! A KP steal and a transition basket! Timeout 6:30.  The Mavs were on an 11-2 run! 67-60 Dallas! The roof was shaking atop the AAC!

Mavs missed a couple of shots, and the Clips took advantage. Rick called time with Dallas leading 67-65. Good call, with the Mavs starting to look frenzied. 

Willie fouled Kawhi on a three-point attempt. Kawhi re-captured the lead with the three freebies. The Mavs were cold, and Kawhi hit his eleventh point in a row. DFS bombed in a three. Brunson dropped one in. Kawhi scored again. DFS put in another three!  A Luka steal and a WCS dunk! Brunson drew a blocking foul on PG, but missed both free throws. 77-73 Mavs after three. What a heart-stopping contest!

Kawhi led all scorers with 17 points, but the Mavs had a 7-point advantage in the frame. 

FOURTH QUARTER

Could a bench unit without Luka and KP survive? The arena fans fastened their seat belts. The Clippers quickly tied the game. Powell was rushed in at 10:22. Zubac gave the Clips a lead with two free throws. Aaagh. J Rich tied with freebies of his own. The Mavs had three fouls inside three minutes. Luka checked back in at 9:16. Whew!

PG hit a contested three. Kleber lost the ball out of bounds on a bullet pass from Luka, in a highly questionable call. THJ hit a contested three! Kawhi scored off a pass from Reggie. Hardaway scored on the other end. And-one! Reggie was forced into a travel by the Mavs’ swarming defense.  Dallas called time with 7:17. 85-84 Mavs. 

Then the Mavs began to unravel. George hit a three over Luka. Kawhi scored. Batum had a jam, giving the Clips a 5-point lead at 5:03. KP re-entered after the timeout. Luka with a three from downtown! KP with a steal! Reggie Jackson called for an offensive foul for an illegal screen. KP can’t direct a lob in, and DFS fouls to avoid a fast break. Timeout 3:38. Mavs down 88-90.

Clips turn the ball over on the inbounds pass, for their third turnover in a row. Mavs can’t capitalize on any of them. Kawhi scores. Hardaway misses a layup. Kawhi hits a three. 95-88 Clips with 2:18 left. Timeout Dallas. 

A Luka shot drops in without much resistance from LA. Kawhi hit another three over DFS. Timmy missed a three. Mavs gave up an offensive rebound, and Hardaway sent Reggie to the line. Two free throws. Luka hit a two, but Reggie countered with more free throws. Luka ran to the basket for another two. The rookies looked despondent on the bench. Luka had another three for their last score. 

The Mavs collapsed in the fourth, scoring only 20 points, and were unable to take advantage of the Clippers' mistakes.  Only three Mavs scored, as they went cold from the field. 

The sixth game of the series was won by the road team, a first in NBA history.


STATISTICS

The Mavs put up 12 more shots than the Clips, but had only one more made shot for their efforts, and the Clips’ 28-14 free-throw attempt advantage proved insurmountable. They shot 32% from long range. Live by the three, or in this case, die by the three.

With the Mavericks' big units, it is somewhat confounding that they didn't win the rebounding battle, but they didn't. The box score shows the Mavs with 8 offensive boards, but a good portion of those were unproductive bobbling attempts at tip-ins.  


PLAYERS

DONCIC. Luka led the team with 29 points, to go with 11 assists, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals. However, he was 2-9 from the floor, and got to the line for only 5 free throws. It seemed to me that he tired as the second half wore on, and got essentially no help in the fourth quarter, with his teammates scoring only eight points. Meanwhile, Kawhi had turned on the afterburners, and it was just a little too much for the young star. His red-eyed explanation of the loss was that Kawhi “destroyed us,” although he bristled at the idea that the loss might affect the team’s confidence. Asked to comment on the officiating, he demurred, saying, “You saw the game.”

HARDAWAY.  Tim had 23 points on halfway decent shooting (9-19, 4-11 from three), and was once again the team’s second-best offensive player. In the fourth quarter, he was 2-8 and scored 6 points. Which was still better than everyone not named Luka. Sigh.  

MARJANOVIC.  Bobi had 12 points and 9 rebounds in 17 minutes, which was pret-ty good, and he was one of four Mavs in positive figures, although he was 5-13 from the field (several misses being unsuccessful attempts at tip-ins/putbacks). I think, if the Mavericks had known they were going to need to rely on Boban in this series, they might have tried to solidify this offensive scheme more in the regular season. KP and Bobi played nary a minute together this season until the playoffs. They were clearly trying to play through Bobi, but the whole thing didn't gel particularly well, with a number of wasted opportunities. It seems to me that Boban takes too long to make decisions with the ball. It would be okay with me if they gave him a standing order to shoot if he's within 5 feet of the basket, no questions asked. Defensively, it did appear to me that his big body was a deterrent in the paint.

DFS.  Dorian was the fourth Mav in double figures with 11 points, and he recorded 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in a team-high 42 minutes on the court. He also had three turnovers, which is borderline unacceptable for a 3&D guy, but maybe that’s just how the cookie crumbled this time. He was arguably the team's second or third best player, but I wouldn't term it one of his better nights. 

PORZINGIS. Oh, Kristaps. Such a sad, inscrutable little stat line. KP had 7 points, 5 boards, 3 assists, and 3 steals in 31 minutes. He took only 7 shots, and was essentially used as a floor spacer. He seemed more engaged than usual defensively, and actually was not bad on that end. Offensively, he did make some cuts, and work to get open, but was mostly looked off, particularly by players not named Luka. Obviously disappointed after the game, he said he got a few decent looks, but allowed that the situation “is what it is.” He admitted that it was a psychological adjustment not to be an offensive focus, but re-affirmed that he has accepted his role. He predicted that Game Seven will be a “war.” Devin Harris sympathized with KP’s plight, saying that KP is in a tough spot — we all know he could do more, but he is doing what he has been asked to do, and should therefore not be overly criticized for being too passive, or like complaints. This KP situation is a conundrum on several levels, and might be approaching untenable. 

BENCH. Maxi led the reserves with 21 minutes. He took only four shots, did not score, and had three rebounds. I'm really not too sure why he was out there that long, as he didn't appear to be contributing much, and passed up several open shots. The MMB folks pointed out that he has made only one shot in the last three games. I suspect his lingering injury is taking its toll. Jalen had 7 points and 4 rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench, and strangely led the team in +/- at +9. He had three baskets, but generally didn't seem impactful, and I thought did not do a very good job running the offense in Luka's absence. He did have a fair-to-middling turn in the second quarter. Richardson had 6 points in only 9 minutes, and went 2-2 from the line. His role on the team appears to be vanishing before our eyes.  Willie had nineteen minutes in the big man platoon, and put up 2 points and 4 boards. Powell did not score in 7 minutes. 

CLIPPERS. The Klaw put in an MVP-quality performance, strapping the team on his back and putting up 45 points on incredible 18-25 shooting. Just a great, great evening for the robot. George also showed up with 20 points and 13 boards. He was 6-15 from the field, but had 10 free-throw attempts, and made his presence felt. Reggie Jackson continued to be a Mavs killer with 25 points and 9 rebounds. Morris had only 4 points and 3 boards, but Coach Lue praised his defensive contributions. All Clippers other than Kawhi-George-Reggie combined for 14 points. 


OBSERVATIONS

Kawhi was otherworldly, and some of the other Clippers stepped up. Give that team credit -- their backs were against the wall, and they rose to the occasion. The Mavs had a terrible second quarter, and looked gassed in the fourth, as they haplessly watched the game dribble away from them in the last five minutes, unable to take advantage of LA’s mistakes. Looking exhausted for the second fourth quarter running, and with less than 48 hours until the next match, will they have enough ammo for the Game Seven battle?

An excellent competition from a watcher’s point of view, but a crushing conclusion to a match that looked winnable. 

Welp. Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, it’s win or go home for both squads. Whatever happens, this young Mavs team has given the heavily favored Clippers all they could handle. 

Game Seven awaits. 

[Branduil]

There's no point in paying big money to guys who can't at least create their own shots in the playoffs.

[Dahlsim]

MAVERICKS A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT
SERIES TIED 3-3

A hard-fought battle that looked promising for the Mavs for much of the game sputtered in the last few minutes. Dang. 


GAME STORY

Rick decided to stick with his super-sized starting lineup of Luka-THJ-DFS-KP-Boban. Ty Lue also stayed with his starting unit of Jackson, PG, Kawhi, Morris, and Batum.  
.... 

Good stuff ML.  A tough loss to sit through.  Glad your thread is here if for nothing else than venting.   Yes there is some small, very small consolation in the Mavs giving what looks like a very championship capable LA team all they can handle but the frustration is that the game was very winnable. 

Rick decided to stick with his super-sized starting lineup of Luka-THJ-DFS-KP-Boban. 

The way I summarize the Game Story is that Rick decided to stick with his super-sized starting lineup BUT he could not bring himself to close with his super-sized lineup despite the fact that this was the lineup that gave the Mavs the best scoring opportunities and gave the Clippers defense the most trouble to defend. 

The KP-Boban tandem was easily the most difficult challenge for the Clippers to defend other than Luka himself.  
Did anyone else hear Mark Jackson say toward the end of the 4th when the game had just started to slip away with Dallas struggling to score, "I would get Boban back into the game, it was clearly having success." 
 
The 5 of 13 line is very misleading for Marjanovic because it includes at least 5 (ill advised) missed tip-in attempts. 

 I count at least 5 of those to be missed tip-in attempts.  

Then add to that the absurd 4 point swing where Boban's arm was literally hooked and held by Morris as a point blank put back attempt was gifted to LA as a foul on Bobi and 2 bogus free throws for the Clippers!   The video replay was obvious and the TV Announcers called it out as a flat out bad call.  Can someone explain to me why Rick Carlisle didn't challenge that call?  A 4 point swing + a bogus foul? Thats a big play if you can get it overturned at any point in the game.   

Notice also that Ty Lue felt forced to put his absolute best defender, Kawhi Leonard on Boban in the post several times which VanGundy noted as well. 
Fortunately for Lue Rick Carlisle did not keep that pressure on him.  Why not?

Who is the big man coach for this Dallas team? I'm calling him out if such exists.  KP did something similar on his meager 7 shot attempts for the game, taking a tip-in or difficult lob conversion attempt where he could have simply secured the ball, kept it high and took his time then went up and simply slammed it. 

The Dallas offense was absolutely volatile with too many lower % high difficulty attempts when it did not need to be.   
The fact that the Mavericks only found a way to get Kristaps Porzingis 7 meh shot attempts is almost criminal misuse of talent in my book. 
No wonder his post game comment was something like "It is what it is". 
This guy is your other super star salary slot.  He's being used more as a DECOY than a star talented offensive force. 
I get it to some degree but with your team struggling to manufacture points, on track all game for low scoring output and all you can use your 2nd most talented scorer for is as a DECOY? 

Ok maybe THJ is your #2 but he has to get good looks generated for him from somewhere and he's most effective as a 3 point guy, live or die. 
I could argue that Boban is in your top 4 at least in terms of talented offensive creators but putting that aside, what are you going to do with KP?  
He can't be consigned to permanent decoy and expect to win anything.  Can you imagine Kawhi being used as primarily a DECOY or Paul George settling for 7 shots in the close out?  

The high-powered offense sputtered at the worst possible time, in a huge close-out game.  The offense generated high degree of difficulty shots and open 3 point shots from your lesser 3 point shooters at clutch time when buckets were most essential. 

Luka Magic did not get good looks against the double teams in the crunch as clearly he went into trust my teammates mode until the game was out of reach. 
Those teammates in the crunch did not include the KP-Boban pairing he started with so LA has to be ecstatic to match shot Attempts from Kawhi against long shot attempts by Maverick others at winning time. 

Ty Lue out coached Rick Carlisle when it mattered in game 6 because Lue's offense generated solid looks for their best player in 1 on 1 defense down the stretch (ugh!). 
Kawhi Leonard gets shot after shot and you can't force the ball out of his hands the way LA got it out of Luka's hands? 
  
The Clippers absolute BEST player, easily one of the top 3 offensive forces in the entire league is allowed to beat you?   
I score this one for the LA coaching staff.

[ThisIStheYear]

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.

[Thukydides]

Hate to say it, but for this team as constructed this Luka is not enough. He's gassed, while Kawhi still can get to his spots. It comes down to being in world class shape, which Luka certainly is not. Sadly DFS and Brunson missed crucial shots, while Maxi passed up many in the first place. KP just doesn't have the strength to establish and hold a deep position. We need a uncharacteristic offnight from Kawhi, otherwise this is over. Such a shame, as Luka has at least matched Kawhi for five games and the rest of our team is deeper than theirs. We depend on Luka too much and this version of him doesn't have the energy to will us to four wins with so little time off in between

[dirkfansince1998]

The way I summarize the Game Story is that Rick decided to stick with his super-sized starting lineup BUT he could not bring himself to close with his super-sized lineup despite the fact that this was the lineup that gave the Mavs the best scoring opportunities and gave the Clippers defense the most trouble to defend. 

Bingo. Mavs stopped playing zone. Kawhi took advantage. Offense tanked in the Maxi/WCS minutes and the team never recovered. Also wonderered why Powell who easily was the best big in game 5 wasn´t getting any minutes. Why is WCS on the floor when he isn´t even used as a screener. I get that they want to create easier matchups for Luka but the spacing was terrible. Luka and DFS running pick and roll. WCS clogging the paint. Giving Kawhi the opportunity play free safety in the paint.

Perfect example for the WCS-Kawhi issue. Kawhi playing borderline illegal defense. Waiting for a potential Luka drive.

https://www.nba.com/stats/events/?GameEventID=541&GameID=0042000176&Season=2020-21&flag=1&title=MISS%20Doncic%2013%27%20Turnaround%20Fadeaway%20Shot&sct=plot

[MFFL]

I thought trying to feed the ball to Boban in the post was also a major error

At one point Boban had 10 points but I believe we had 5 turnovers to get him those points

[Kammrath]

Ty Lue out coached Rick Carlisle when it mattered in game 6 because Lue's offense generated solid looks for their best player in 1 on 1 defense down the stretch (ugh!). 
Kawhi Leonard gets shot after shot and you can't force the ball out of his hands the way LA got it out of Luka's hands? 
  
The Clippers absolute BEST player, easily one of the top 3 offensive forces in the entire league is allowed to beat you?   
I score this one for the LA coaching staff.

Yep, bingo.

RC's super sized lineup saved the series....and his move away from it and the zone also lost this game IMO.

[dirkfansince1998]

Another big aspect of the game. The good old how to take advantage of the trap/double issue. Really showed the difference between the Clippers and Mavs roster. Every single player in the Clippers small ball five can put the ball on the floor. When DFS is sharing the floor with two bigs the Mavs have three players on the floor that cannot do anything of the catch/dribble. Easy to defend because the guy that receives the pass from Luka cannot pressure the defense.

[mavsluvr]

The way I summarize the Game Story is that Rick decided to stick with his super-sized starting lineup BUT he could not bring himself to close with his super-sized lineup despite the fact that this was the lineup that gave the Mavs the best scoring opportunities and gave the Clippers defense the most trouble to defend. 

For those who don't recall, the clutch lineup was Luka-Tim-DFS-KP-Maxi, with JB and J Rich making appearances in late situational substitutions. 


The scoring was 10-5 Clips, until the Mavs had a few meaningless, lethargically defended extra points in the last minute, after the game was out of reach.

[Hypermav]

Mavs in 7

[DanSchwartzgan]

A couple of thoughts...

Apparently Zubac isn't allowed on the floor at the same time as Luka any more.  I thought it interesting that Rondo only got 10 minutes (-6) after killing us earlier in the series.  

Last time, Boban was net negative, but the other big combos worked.  This time Boban was +5 and +5 with KP.  Maxi/Dwight was +3 in very limited minutes.  For some reason someone decided Willie/Maxi was a good idea.  Both were -13 individually and the pairing was -11.  

More opposites...DFS, who's on-court contribution has been stellar, was -8.  Brunson, who hasn't been a positive contributor, was +9.  We actually survived the minutes Luka sat (+1) and were -8 when he was in.  We were +3 when KP and Luka were in together.

We need an answer for Zubac.  We know he's coming in when Luka sits and need someone willing/able to keep him off the boards (too bad the TDL has passed).

We need an answer for Reggie Jackson.  If we are going to concede 20 points on 100% shooting from behind the arc, then put Brunson in so at least we have more ways to score.  Or, if we don't want to conceded 20 points on 100% shooting from three, put Green or JRich in his grill.  We are basically playing one on five offensively with everyone helping on Luka.  Does it really matter that someone might cheat off of a non-offensive player like Green (as opposed to cheating off of a non offensive player like...everyone else)?  OK, THJ is making them pay for cheating off of him.  But, that is it.  At least Green has that sneaky cut game and Brunson can create something for himself.

Maxi looked cooked in the fourth.  KP sat too long.  We have to have a third guy offensively (assuming Luka and THJ have good games).  Brunson isn't getting the minutes to be that guy.  It is theoretically possible DFS, Maxi or Powell pull off something way out of character.  But, the easier path is to find a way to make KP more than a decoy.  That is the counter we have left if we are willing to trust him.   

We really do need one more guy to run out there with KP/DFS/THJ and Luka and right now none of the guys we have are ideal.  The lineup where Maxi is the fifth guy has worked (+10), but Maxi has to guard Leonard in those lineups and LAC has figured that one out.  The lineup where Powell is the fifth guy worked great for the 11 minutes we tried it (mostly in one game).  Other than Brunson at 4 total minutes and JRich at 3 total minutes, we don't have any other positive lineups with our main four guys.   Landing Crowder (which would have required a multi-year) or taking a flyer on Batum would have made a huge difference right now.  Finney is our highest rated guy in D-Rating in the playoffs.  He's ranked 146th out of everyone who has played at least 20 minutes in the playoffs.  That isn't an indictment of Finney.  We are playing a really good offense and are poorly equipped to stop them with what we have.

[Time Machine Dirk]

1. Why weren't the Mavs double teaming Kawhi like in game 5?
2. Why didn't Bobi play in the 4th quarter? Why no twin towers? That is the strategy which bothers the Clippers the most.
3. Why didn't Powell play except 2-3 minutes or so?
4. Why doesn't Porzingis get more 3s or midrange jumpshots? He should basically have free sight on the basket being so much taller than all the Clippers.
5. Where is KP's bankshot from last year's bubble?
6. Why doesn't Doncic drive to the basket anymore? Too many post-up fadaways and bad 3s which wasn't effective yesterday. Is he tired?
7. What is wrong with the Refs not giving Luka ANY CALLS and not seeing obvious things like the out of bounds play with Maxi Kleber and Paul George?
8. Why did the Clippers get 28 FT and the Mavs only 14 while shooting 43 FGA in the paint?
9. Why didn't Rick Carlisle challenge the Boban offensive foul against Morris or the the out of bounds play with Kleber?

I'm p*** about all of this.

[mavsluvr]

Luka fatigue is a thing in this series --

https://twitter.com/FlyByKnite/status/14...82625?s=20

[burekemde]

Luka Doncic is the best basketball player on planet when fresh. This series he literally cant get any rest. Our performance without him has been awful.

We abaolutely need another playmaker. Now this is obvious to me. It wasnt that clear to me prrviously.

Typically Brunson could provide it during regular season. Its clear he cant do that in playoffs against a top team as Clippers. Not saying Brunson is not valuable. He is from the bench. But Luka needs a second star. 

When people say Luka needs a second star. What that means is Luka can take a quality rest when needed and be fresh in 4th quarter.

Without second star all load is on Luka and he cant perform in 4th the same way as 1st.

And when people say second star that means someone that can create their own shot and take the load off Luka. PG provides that to Kawhi. THJ KP Brunson etc do not provide that to Luka.

[burekemde]

Another thing. Without second star all the gameplan from opposing teams is exclusively about Luka. If you somrhow find something that works in 7 game series it can help you. If you have a second unstoppable force creating a gameplan that stops both is near impossible.

[burekemde]

Its such a shame that Clippers didnt even had to gameplan for KP. His role is peripheral in this series. We did all to involve him he got many opportunities in first games with ball in the post. He either misses or fumbles the basketball. The way he is used now is absolutely the most effective for the team given how bad he has preformed with ball in his hands and being the pivot. 

We need a good shooter next to Luka but someone that can create own shot. Someone that needs to be gameplanned for. Someone that gives Luka some rest. And someone that even takes over games if Luka is cold. We dont have that player now.

[chaparral]

A couple of thoughts...

Apparently Zubac isn't allowed on the floor at the same time as Luka any more.  I thought it interesting that Rondo only got 10 minutes (-6) after killing us earlier in the series.  

Last time, Boban was net negative, but the other big combos worked.  This time Boban was +5 and +5 with KP.  Maxi/Dwight was +3 in very limited minutes.  For some reason someone decided Willie/Maxi was a good idea.  Both were -13 individually and the pairing was -11.  

More opposites...DFS, who's on-court contribution has been stellar, was -8.  Brunson, who hasn't been a positive contributor, was +9.  We actually survived the minutes Luka sat (+1) and were -8 when he was in.  We were +3 when KP and Luka were in together.

We need an answer for Zubac.  We know he's coming in when Luka sits and need someone willing/able to keep him off the boards (too bad the TDL has passed).

We need an answer for Reggie Jackson.  If we are going to concede 20 points on 100% shooting from behind the arc, then put Brunson in so at least we have more ways to score.  Or, if we don't want to conceded 20 points on 100% shooting from three, put Green or JRich in his grill.  We are basically playing one on five offensively with everyone helping on Luka.  Does it really matter that someone might cheat off of a non-offensive player like Green (as opposed to cheating off of a non offensive player like...everyone else)?  OK, THJ is making them pay for cheating off of him.  But, that is it.  At least Green has that sneaky cut game and Brunson can create something for himself.

Maxi looked cooked in the fourth.  KP sat too long.  We have to have a third guy offensively (assuming Luka and THJ have good games).  Brunson isn't getting the minutes to be that guy.  It is theoretically possible DFS, Maxi or Powell pull off something way out of character.  But, the easier path is to find a way to make KP more than a decoy.  That is the counter we have left if we are willing to trust him.   

We really do need one more guy to run out there with KP/DFS/THJ and Luka and right now none of the guys we have are ideal.  The lineup where Maxi is the fifth guy has worked (+10), but Maxi has to guard Leonard in those lineups and LAC has figured that one out.  The lineup where Powell is the fifth guy worked great for the 11 minutes we tried it (mostly in one game).  Other than Brunson at 4 total minutes and JRich at 3 total minutes, we don't have any other positive lineups with our main four guys.   Landing Crowder (which would have required a multi-year) or taking a flyer on Batum would have made a huge difference right now.  Finney is our highest rated guy in D-Rating in the playoffs.  He's ranked 146th out of everyone who has played at least 20 minutes in the playoffs.  That isn't an indictment of Finney.  We are playing a really good offense and are poorly equipped to stop them with what we have.

Maybe we should of kept Johnson and Iwundu?  But didn't Burke play good last year against the Clip in the playoffs?

[Scott41theMavs]

Rick is feast and famine, isn't he?

So is Willie. Willie isn't garbage. He's just inconsistent. If he is hurting rather than helping, it's up to the coach to recognize that and pull him.

[mavsluvr]

The fact that the Mavericks only found a way to get Kristaps Porzingis 7 meh shot attempts is almost criminal misuse of talent in my book. 
No wonder his post game comment was something like "It is what it is". 
This guy is your other super star salary slot.  He's being used more as a DECOY than a star talented offensive force. 
I get it to some degree but with your team struggling to manufacture points, on track all game for low scoring output and all you can use your 2nd most talented scorer for is as a DECOY? 

Rick commented on KP after the game.


"I love the way he's playing." 

Really? Rick went on to say how professional Kris has been about adjusting to the team strategy. It sounded more like Carlisle loves the fact that KP is no longer squawking all the time about accepting a greatly reduced role. 

Rick continued, saying that with Porzingis, it always comes down to the question of "getting him going," and whether that is the right thing for the team, considering the opponent lineup and the fact that they assign a difficult defender to him. Clearly, the implicit answer was no.

Maybe the best thing in this series is for KP to stand in the corner and not be involved in the offense. Maybe it isn't. Whatever. The team is limited in their options for Game Seven to the choices that exist today. 

But in the larger picture, when KP signed his extension, I cannot imagine that either the team or KP envisioned that his offensive role in playoff games would be to take seven shots and score seven points and get 5 rebounds, even if he does draw off a defender. That might have actually made a little sense in the situation when the defender he was drawing off was Kawhi, but now it's just a guy. 

Even if this is really the best option on the court for now, it seems like the Mavs are waving the white flag and pasting a massive "Epic Fail" label on the KP situation. The roster isn't built to withstand KP being an offensive zero. Many on the board have noted as the season went along that the Kristaps fit didn't seem to be heading in the right direction, but I didn't foresee it coming to this. 

I hope I am just over-reacting.