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

[omahen]

Which is exactly why I mentioned mid season that the plan should be to resign Brunson and flip him for a better fitting piece. If it happens in a S&T so be it. But, I think it would need to be by the TDL next season. They need a "Jimmy Butler" type player to play with Luka. Someone who is a stud defender and can score while playing a wing role. But, one that doesn't require the ball in his hands to be effective.

I think Dinwiddie has shown he can be that extra playmaker off the bench.

I just don't get this takes about Luka, Brunson and Dinwiddie. Brunson had two great and one average game without Luka. With Luka back, he had just a couple of shots less than in previous games and got to his spots exactly as in previous games. The only difference was, that shots didn't fall - very similar to his first game. If the shots would fall, he would score 30+. Mavs worked fine when Luka and Brunson were on court. Starting line-up had awesome defensive and offensive ratings. Sure it would be better if Brunson was taller and had longer hands, but I don't think his spot is the one we need to think about upgrading. 

Dinwiddie on the other hand has a bad series. He does score 16 ppg, but at really low efficiency. Especially bad was his performance in game 4. He needs to improve his game for Mavs to have a chance. Clarkson is killing him in the battle of 6th men. 

I hope Mavs will adjust a bit in the next game. Luka should run PnR and force Gobert to switch on him and take him out of the paint. Than pass it to Brunson. Bench needs to give more. It also has to be admitted, that Utah lifted their defensive effort substantially. But I am sure Mavs have more in the tank to adjust and exploit their opponent weaknesses.