10-27-2019, 01:01 PM
Quote:Kjironman1
Bring on the Mavs. This is gonna be a tough one. Doncic and Porzingas are putting on a show so far this season. The thing is that the Blazer actually match up with them well. A bunch of close games recently do not really tell the story. Too many changes in the rosters. First off Dallas does not have a second unit player this year the likes of Dirk. Couple games last year he came off the bench and hit some key shots to keep them in the game. Brunson does not strike fear in teams like Lillard does. If Whiteside continues to dominate around the rim The Mavs will struggle. If I'm Stotts i would hammer them with Whiteside and Collins until they adjust to stop the Blazers. That leaves having to control Doncic. Hood will get the start on Doncic and that will be a key matchup. My thinking here is the Blazers need to show up with Hood/Bazemore vs Doncic. Yes Baze gives up a little height but that 7' wingspan can make Luka's life tougher.
If the Mavs decide to try to lock Lillard down with Lee then look for CJ to light these guys up. Seriously this game should be a coaches dream to watch. The adjustments between Stotts and Carlisle should be very entertaining.
Second unit? Curry knows what Simons can do and he will not take him lightly. Why does Barea always play tough against the Blazers? He never saw the court against the Pels but i bet we see him.
Up to this point the Mavericks have played smaller. They went with Porzingas at center and Finney-Smith at PF with Doncic at SF with Brunson and Lee against the Pelicans. HassZach (I just made that up) would punish them if the Mavs try this. The Blazers are looking at Jackson and Wright off the bench also. They both are a threat to hit a shot. But Wright seems to be the one hitting shots so far.
Bottom line is the Mavs are much improved. I expect them to make the playoffs and every indication so far this young season seems to support that. Beating this team on the road will be a huge win. My pick in this game is again Rodney Hood. He has shown the ability to hit a shot. He has also shown he can put the ball on the floor and get to an open space to shoot without causing a "Train Wreck". Now he must show he can guard the reigning ROY. This is why Hood was signed. If he does his job tonight the Blazers could be in this game at the end. That is what you try to do on the road. Have a chance to win.
Already Luka has registered a Triple Double. I read on one of the sites he has 9 already in his career. This guy is going to be a very special player. I have no doubt Dallas will be in the running every year for the next 12-15 years until he retires. He has replaced Dirk as their perennial All-Star. Player he reminds me of is none other than Larry Bird.
From the blazers forum