PLAYOFFS ROUND 1: #4 DAL (4-2) vs #5 UTA (2-4) |

[omahen]

I disagree with this take. Sure Utah perimeter defense is not elite, but bad defense was not the reason they lost. Mavs scored 110 points in the win, thanks to shooting 47 % from three. league average 35 % would mean roughly 6 threes less and only 92 points scored. Mavs also had just three turnovers, which is almost impossible to repeat. Mavs offense was very, very efficient. Utah can continue to gamble leaving some Mavs relatively open on the three and it is very questionable if Mavs can repeat this performance or come close to it. 

Utah lost (and barely won the first game) because their offense is not good or Mavs defense is great, whatever you prefer. Utah was shooting 40 threes per game in the regular season at 36 %. They are shooting just 25 threes per game in the playoffs at roughly same percentage. So Mavs defense successfuly took away one of their main weapons. They are scoring almost 12 points per game less than in regular season. This is what is giving the Mavs a fighting chance. 

The big questions are, will Utah find a way to return to their regular season offense and will Mavs be able to sustain the defense? Without Luka, Mavs have very limited number of capable bodies and they are playing crazy minutes. Sad look at the bench doesn't really provide a name that we could hope for a bench spark, other than of course Luka. Guys were exhausted and it was just the second game. Utah has some interesting names on the bench (NAW, Gay, Paschall) that could provide a change. 

(1) Kevin O'Connor on Twitter: "The Jazz perimeter defense was a disaster again tonight. Imagine Gobert with an elite wing like Bridges or good interior help from Horford. But O’Neale is their best. Mitchell needs to take more pride in defense. This roster needs major changes to ever become a serious contender." / Twitter