Playoffs 2024 - R1 - G1 - Mavs @ Clippers (Sunday 3:30PM)

[mfletcher4177]

Even with Leonard, I think we have the upper hand in this. We put up horrible lineups in the past against the Clippers and this team is far superior to that. Young Luka isn't young Luka anymore and actually has help. I feel we have a perfect balance of defense and the key will be PJ, DJJ, Exum, THJ, Kleber hitting open shots.

[GermanFan120]

Rumor says Kawhi's knee is more serious than people think. Not sure if this is true.

We all know he shut himself down at this time of the year in every year. lol

[mfletcher4177]

I think Kawhi plays but I guess only time will tell. I haven't been this excited about the playoffs in a very long time. It sucks that we have to wait a whole week before a playoff game.

[Dirk]

The matchup will be difficult for Luka and Irving if the Clippers put up a lineup with Harden, Powell, PG, Leonard, and Mavs has to put Irving against Harden and Luka on Powell, both very challenging. The good thing is that the Clippers cannot play this lineup too long. And Gafford will be a very key person in this series.

First post after 15 years! We're so taking this.

[Teffer10]

LAC starting lineup
Harden/Mann/George/Leonard/Zubac;
with Westbrook/Powell/Plumlee or Theis on bench

DAL starting lineup
Luka/Irving/DJJ/PJ/Gafford
Exum/Green/Maxi or Lively on bench

For the matchup:

LAC has to put the relatively smaller and quicker Mann on Irving, and both George and Leonard will share the workload on Luka. Harden, being the worst defender, will take on DJJ.

DAL has put DJJ and PJ on George/Leonard. Irving should be on Mann, while Luka need to handle Harden. Obviously, Zubac will be on Gafford.

Some key points:
1) Irving is able to steamroll Mann?
2) Luka can weaken Harden for his role of 3rd offensive option?
3) Which team will win the rebounding/paint battle?
4) Which team will win the bench battle?

I have a hard time believing Hardaway wont be part of the rotation.
We'll probably need his offense because there wont be much coming from the other bench players.

Kidd should have been preparing Prosper for this situation because we could use a more experienced version of him in this series.

[Michaellam1987]

The matchup will be difficult for Luka and Irving if the Clippers put up a lineup with Harden, Powell, PG, Leonard, and Mavs has to put Irving against Harden and Luka on Powell, both very challenging. The good thing is that the Clippers cannot play this lineup too long. And Gafford will be a very key person in this series.

The key point is that Luka has to play defense upto the 3 point line. Powell is volume scorer, and very good 3 point shooter. Hence, he must not be on fire in this series.

[GermanFan120]

I hope Coach Kidd implements a mentality of "We Believe" to the team, in a way that we are the underdogs, we are the challenger, but we can win this.

[41Dirk41]

Rumor says Kawhi's knee is more serious than people think. Not sure if this is true.

We all know he shut himself down at this time of the year in every year. lol

If Kawhi is out it will be a 4-1 Mavs. Easy job.

[41Dirk41]

LAC starting lineup
Harden/Mann/George/Leonard/Zubac;
with Westbrook/Powell/Plumlee or Theis on bench

DAL starting lineup
Luka/Irving/DJJ/PJ/Gafford
Exum/Green/Maxi or Lively on bench

For the matchup:

LAC has to put the relatively smaller and quicker Mann on Irving, and both George and Leonard will share the workload on Luka. Harden, being the worst defender, will take on DJJ.

DAL has put DJJ and PJ on George/Leonard. Irving should be on Mann, while Luka need to handle Harden. Obviously, Zubac will be on Gafford.

Some key points:
1) Irving is able to steamroll Mann?
2) Luka can weaken Harden for his role of 3rd offensive option?
3) Which team will win the rebounding/paint battle?
4) Which team will win the bench battle?

I have a hard time believing Hardaway wont be part of the rotation.
We'll probably need his offense because there wont be much coming from the other bench players.

Kidd should have been preparing Prosper for this situation because we could use a more experienced version of him in this series.

I'm not totally on THJ out of this series, i think he can play 10/15 minutes against Clips second unit and make 3/4 quick open 3s.

Obviously if he will be ice cold buries him on the bench because he can't do much more on a basketball court.

[Michaellam1987]

Rumor says Kawhi's knee is more serious than people think. Not sure if this is true.

We all know he shut himself down at this time of the year in every year. lol

If I am coach Kidd, I will shut down these rumors in front of the team. Just tell the team to always be prepared for the super Leonard in playoff god mode.

[Michaellam1987]

LAC starting lineup
Harden/Mann/George/Leonard/Zubac;
with Westbrook/Powell/Plumlee or Theis on bench

DAL starting lineup
Luka/Irving/DJJ/PJ/Gafford
Exum/Green/Maxi or Lively on bench

For the matchup:

LAC has to put the relatively smaller and quicker Mann on Irving, and both George and Leonard will share the workload on Luka. Harden, being the worst defender, will take on DJJ.

DAL has put DJJ and PJ on George/Leonard. Irving should be on Mann, while Luka need to handle Harden. Obviously, Zubac will be on Gafford.

Some key points:
1) Irving is able to steamroll Mann?
2) Luka can weaken Harden for his role of 3rd offensive option?
3) Which team will win the rebounding/paint battle?
4) Which team will win the bench battle?

I have a hard time believing Hardaway wont be part of the rotation.
We'll probably need his offense because there wont be much coming from the other bench players.

Kidd should have been preparing Prosper for this situation because we could use a more experienced version of him in this series.

LAC is well known for their depth, in which DAL can never match. What we need is to play the best 5 players on the court, even they need to play relatively longer time. I also dont want to count THJ out, may be trying out for a couple shot, if they are falling in, bench him directly.

[GermanFan120]

THJ may be hated too much here, he will be NEEDED in this series.

We are not a deep team, and THJ is serviceable if he tries harder on defense and doesn't do stupid stuff too much.

[GermanFan120]

Rumor says Kawhi's knee is more serious than people think. Not sure if this is true.

We all know he shut himself down at this time of the year in every year. lol

If I am coach Kidd, I will shut down these rumors in front of the team. Just tell the team to always be prepared for the super Leonard in playoff god mode.

100%

[ChipotleWest]

I'm not totally on THJ out of this series, i think he can play 10/15 minutes against Clips second unit and make 3/4 quick open 3s.

Can he do that though? If so there won't be a problem. He's shooting just 35% from 3 this season, and he is mainly known as a 3 point specialist so that is bad.

[41Dirk41]

I'm not totally on THJ out of this series, i think he can play 10/15 minutes against Clips second unit and make 3/4 quick open 3s.

Can he do that though? If so there won't be a problem. He's shooting just 35% from 3 this season, and he is mainly known as a 3 point specialist so that is bad.

If he is not capable to do that then he is pretty useless player...

[ChipotleWest]

I'm not totally on THJ out of this series, i think he can play 10/15 minutes against Clips second unit and make 3/4 quick open 3s.

Can he do that though? If so there won't be a problem. He's shooting just 35% from 3 this season, and he is mainly known as a 3 point specialist so that is bad.

If he is not capable to do that then he is pretty useless player...

He gets called useless all the time.

He was 1-9 against OKC on Sunday. He was getting better defenders him on because of no Luka or Kyrie but still.

[Teffer10]

LAC starting lineup
Harden/Mann/George/Leonard/Zubac;
with Westbrook/Powell/Plumlee or Theis on bench

DAL starting lineup
Luka/Irving/DJJ/PJ/Gafford
Exum/Green/Maxi or Lively on bench

For the matchup:

LAC has to put the relatively smaller and quicker Mann on Irving, and both George and Leonard will share the workload on Luka. Harden, being the worst defender, will take on DJJ.

DAL has put DJJ and PJ on George/Leonard. Irving should be on Mann, while Luka need to handle Harden. Obviously, Zubac will be on Gafford.

Some key points:
1) Irving is able to steamroll Mann?
2) Luka can weaken Harden for his role of 3rd offensive option?
3) Which team will win the rebounding/paint battle?
4) Which team will win the bench battle?

I have a hard time believing Hardaway wont be part of the rotation.
We'll probably need his offense because there wont be much coming from the other bench players.

Kidd should have been preparing Prosper for this situation because we could use a more experienced version of him in this series.

I'm not totally on THJ out of this series, i think he can play 10/15 minutes against Clips second unit and make 3/4 quick open 3s.

Obviously if he will be ice cold buries him on the bench because he can't do much more on a basketball court.

If Hardaway and Green are stinking it up, don't be surprised if you see some Prosper.
Clippers have more wings than Wingstop and if DJJ and PJ get into foul trouble, it might be time to unleash Prosper.
Doubtful, but wouldn't surprise me.

[GermanFan120]

If we are praying to get some help from Prosper, we will be in serious trouble.

Our team is not winning the championship this year, we all know that. But if we perform within expectations, we can beat the Clippers.

[daoneandonly]

If we are praying to get some help from Prosper, we will be in serious trouble.

Our team is not winning the championship this year, we all know that. But if we perform within expectations, we can beat the Clippers.

Yea we can be hopeful, but also realistic. If we can beat LAC it would be wonderful, even see what happens next round if that happens. But cant see us beating Denver in a 7 game series.

Then retool in the offseason, look Josh green square in the eye and tell him he sucks and to stay home until he's contacted about where he's been traded.

Hope THJ's expiring can also net a useful piece.

[GermanFan120]

If we are praying to get some help from Prosper, we will be in serious trouble.

Our team is not winning the championship this year, we all know that. But if we perform within expectations, we can beat the Clippers.

Yea we can be hopeful, but also realistic. If we can beat LAC it would be wonderful, even see what happens next round if that happens. But cant see us beating Denver in a 7 game series.

Then retool in the offseason, look Josh green square in the eye and tell him he sucks and to stay home until he's contacted about where he's been traded.

Hope THJ's expiring can also net a useful piece.

LMAO, I agree that Green sucks, but it sounds like you hate him with passion. I was like what did Green do to you or your family?