GAME 58: LAL (35-24) @ DAL (32-26) | 115-110 win

[Kammrath]

[chaparral]

I hope KP plays.  No more of this load management BS...

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status...2028625923

[DrMav]

Kyle Kuzma’s hair color is on the Trae Young hair spectrum of annoyance, we can’t lose to that. Must win game.

[bodhisattva]

Ya know what. I´ve been team finish 7th go through play in and here come the Suns for about 2 months now.
I dont like the way they are playing, but i do like our master plan of holding on to that 7th place.
I say let the Lakers sweep us.
Appear weak, and then find another gear for Curry and Paul, when it matters.
So must loose game.

[StepBackJay]

So I know it's the Lakers but the Mavs are going to play really hard and compete bc that's what they do against teams they care about beating. See any time we play the Clippers. You know Mavs want to win bc they are playing KP back-to-back. Luka loves playing the Lakers. Not sure if this means Mavs will win but I expect us to be like dang they are playing hard. I am a little worried ab Kleber not playing which seems like he won't. He is an important glue piece.

[chaparral]

Big night opportunities for Show Me the Melli and Free Willy.  Also, JJR comes alive tonight...

[omahen]

and then find another gear for Curry

If Mavs finish seventh and lose to Memphis in the first leg og play-in, they will be 8th seed even if they win against GSW in the second leg. Which means Utah. Rooting for play-in makes no sense, it can only mean problems.

[bodhisattva]

If Mavs finish seventh and lose to Memphis in the first leg og play-in, they will be 8th seed even if they win against GSW in the second leg. Which means Utah. Rooting for play-in makes no sense, it can only mean problems.

I know. I was just throwing names out there. God knows where teams between 6 and 10 will fall at this point.

If Mavs finish seventh and win against Memphis in the first leg of play-in, they will be 7th seed and will face Suns in the playoffs. Glass half full type of guy.

I remember you accusing me of being a pessimist in those few (usually) game threads that I post. Whos a pessimist now?

[omahen]

I know. I was just throwing names out there. God knows where teams between 6 and 10 will fall at this point.

If Mavs finish seventh and win against Memphis in the first leg of play-in, they will be 7th seed and will face Suns in the playoffs. Glass half full type of guy.

I remember you accusing me of being a pessimist in those few (usually) game threads that I post. Whos a pessimist now?

You mentioned playing against Curry, which can only happen if Mavs lose against Memphis in first leg. This was the starting point of my reply. I actually think Mavs will finish 6th

[bodhisattva]

You mentioned playing against Curry, which can only happen if Mavs lose against Memphis in first leg. This was the starting point of my reply. I actually think Mavs will finish 6th

Kul. As I said throwing out names. Do agree about 6th place finish actually. It pains me. I know play-in is a risk and 6th+LACc playoff is a safe way to go, but i would honestly prefer to see them finish 7th and take the Suns.
That said, if Mavs would eliminate LAC, that would make me very happy, but i just dont see it. Kwahi will be out for blood this year. Thats my reasoning. Has been for quite some time. Maybe things change and Suns fall to third, or Nuggets overtake LAC and it will be all good, but if its 6th-LAC or 7th-play in and Suns I am taking gamblers choice.

[omahen]

Kul. As I said throwing out names. Do agree about 6th place finish actually. It pains me. I know play-in is a risk and 6th+LACc playoff is a safe way to go, but i would honestly prefer to see them finish 7th and take the Suns.
That said, if Mavs would eliminate LAC, that would make me very happy, but i just dont see it. Kwahi will be out for blood this year. Thats my reasoning. Has been for quite some time. Maybe things change and Suns fall to third, or Nuggets overtake LAC and it will be all good, but if its 6th-LAC or 7th-play in and Suns I am taking gamblers choice.

I actually agree Suns might be weaker opponent. They were lucky whole season with basically zero injuries. Clippers certainly have more gears they can turn on. But, I don't think they are that mighty. I think Mavs are biggest enemy to themselves. If they play as they showed they can in some stretches, they can win against anyone. 

I am opposing this kind of calculations, because they never end well imho. You can make a lot of "effort" to finish 7th and then Kawhi/George injure themselves in last game of the season leaving you as biggest loser. Or Suns just dominate being motivated "you" (as in Mavs in this hypothetical) thought they are the lesser opponent. 

I think best way is just to give your best and come ready playoff time. No team is so much better that it would make a clear decision to avoid them.

[bodhisattva]

I actually agree Suns might be weaker opponent. They were lucky whole season with basically zero injuries. Clippers certainly have more gears they can turn on. But, I don't think they are that mighty. I think Mavs are biggest enemy to themselves. If they play as they showed they can in some stretches, they can win against anyone. 

I am opposing this kind of calculations, because they never end well imho. You can make a lot of "effort" to finish 7th and then Kawhi/George injure themselves in last game of the season leaving you as biggest loser. Or Suns just dominate being motivated "you" (as in Mavs in this hypothetical) thought they are the lesser opponent. 

I think best way is just to give your best and come ready playoff time. No team is so much better that it would make a clear decision to avoid them.

Very noble approach. I agree about injuries and things you cant predict.
But i also guarantee, that Lebron is calculating, how and who he wants to play in a month. Best ones always do. If you watch sports long enough, its a fact. Teams who just give their best will finish like Utah will this year. And it will not be with a ring on their finger. I am 99% sure.

[StepBackJay]

So no Maxi is an issue. Not sure who is going to guard Anthony Davis. I guess WCS is probably the most suited to guard him so I wonder if he will get the start.

I'd love Rick to sit J Rich but am feeling he is starting him for some political reason.

My guess for the starting lineup is Luka, Rich, DFS, WCS, KP.

[TXBamanut]

So no Maxi is an issue. Not sure who is going to guard Anthony Davis. I guess WCS is probably the most suited to guard him so I wonder if he will get the start.

I'd love Rick to sit J Rich but am feeling he is starting him for some political reason.

My guess for the starting lineup is Luka, Rich, DFS, WCS, KP.

Putting KP against AD (as in Andre Drummond -- 2 ADs on Lakers now)?  Yikes.

[StepBackJay]

Drummond will have some trouble guarding KP on the perimeter.

[Aussiebballer]

Ethel will just use Davis to guard KP.
Drummond will guard a Powell, WCS or even DFS if no other big is on.

[StepBackJay]

Ethel will just use Davis to guard KP.
Drummond will guard a Powell, WCS or even DFS if no other big is on.

Ya you are right

[mtrot]

Ethel will just use Davis to guard KP.
Drummond will guard a Powell, WCS or even DFS if no other big is on.

Yeah, and that means the other Mavs shooters are going to have to step up and hit their shots.

[Jason Terry]

Best half we played all season. The Dallas Bipolar Mavericks