PLAYOFFS ROUND 2: #1 PHX (3-4) vs. #4 DAL (4-3) | DAL advances to WCF!

[Winter]

I think the disadvantage here is pretty obvious.

We have several players playing too many minutes because our bench is weak. Tightening it to eight-man rotation isn't that helpful. We managed with Utah because the matchups were in our favor on the perimeter. Phoenix will be a different animal. Ayton is agile, can guard a little on the perimeter, and has an offensive game facing the basket. Plus, their wings won't miss as many open looks.

I watched our last game again this morning. Our starters were exhausted in the last quarter. Kleber was just plain slow and playing Green in any rotation has an offensive downside (2 minutes last night). Bertans, Brown, and Burke were largely no-shows. I think Bertans made it in for a few seconds (score one for the B-Boys). Criss? Frankie? I didn't see either. We literally have a six-man rotation now for these playoffs.

Still, I would expect the Mavericks to take one or two just because Doncic is such a monster. Perhaps Brunson can wear down CP3. But Dallas will really have to re-tool the bench is they want take the next step next year.