Playoffs - WC Semis - G1 - Mavs @ Suns (Mond. 10 PM ET)

[Forbes]

I'm not expecting the Mavs to win the series, but I would like 6 games.

Same here. That Suns team is on another level.

Both Brunson and Dinwiddie need to be better. Brunson looked like he was trying at least. Dinwiddie on the other hand looks scared and tentative.

Also Luka's defense needs to be better. I know he's exerting really a lot of energy on offense but he was targeted on D quite a bit today and was often the culprit for the wide open 3s.

I think the whole team started scared before getting comfy. I honestly think we’ll come out with more energy and be way more competitive next game. Feels like this was the first game of the playoffs for us. I’m very optimistic about the series. The Suns shot Lights out.

[Maverick41]

One other thing, we got outrebounded by 15 and our 2 only bigs that played got a total of 2 rebounds together. Yes, not a typo. TWO rebounds total between the 2 of them.

[Michaellam1987]

One other thing, we got outrebounded by 15 and our 2 only bigs that played got a total of 2 rebounds together. Yes, not a typo. TWO rebounds total between the 2 of them.

Number of rebounds by our C may not be super relevant, e.g. Steven Adams rebound number is always not among those eye catching C, but it is not a coincidence whatever team he goes to, that team becomes the best rebounding team among the league. But yes, being outrebounded is a big problem, even Booker gets 3 offensive rebound can easily show the overall lack of commitment and box out for rebounding from ourside.

The game is actually less tense than the 7 point deficits as shown in the box score. We get outrebounded/outassisted, shooting worst FG%, FT% than the PHX. Booker is only having a very moderate if not a subpar game, while Paul/Ayton only played 29-33 minutes, while Luka has played 44 minutes and had a moster game already, and the DAL 3 points shooting is already at a very respectable 41% and had made 16 3PTs. Can't really ask for more than that.

It is sad that we get totally outplayed, and dont think we have much a chance in game 2 and the whole series. Of course, I hope I am wrong, but..........

[41Dirk41]

This team is better with DFS at the C.

Powell is unplayable. Green too.

They are clearly better but we keep fighting.
That's the good thing.

This series will cost a lot of money for Brunson, he needs to step up...

[arkuo]

This team is better with DFS at the C.

Powell is unplayable. Green too.

They are clearly better but we keep fighting.
That's the good thing.

This series will cost a lot of money for Brunson, he needs to step up...

Brunson will always have difficulty with taller defenders. Which was always the case. The just looks like Isaiah Thomas when guarded by 45 year old Mike Conley. But when you compete against the cream of the crop, he will regress to the mean. He wont score 45 against CP3 and Booker. But should have a good game or two. He won't sniff $30M a year (which he looked like against Utah) but 20 to 25M a year is still doable. At worst he's still a trade chip after signing.

[arkuo]

6 foot flat Jalen Brunson is not scaring 6'7 Devin Booker on offense. Booker will even request to be switched on to Brunson over Doncic, Bullock or DFS. Brunson is the weak link this series. So whatever numbers he loses on defense, he needs to make up for by scoring more on the other end so he has purpose to be on the floor. Otherwise he is a net negative on both ends. A series is a chess match, PHX just got a pawn for game 1. Kidd's turn to respond and steal a game in Arizona before heading back for 3 and 4.

[Darren]

6 foot flat Jalen Brunson is not scaring 6'7 Devin Booker on offense. Booker will even request to be switched on to Brunson over Doncic, Bullock or DFS. Brunson is the weak link this series. So whatever numbers he loses on defense, he needs to make up for by scoring more on the other end so he has purpose to be on the floor. Otherwise he is a net negative on both ends. A series is a chess match, PHX just got a pawn for game 1. Kidd's turn to respond and steal a game in Arizona before heading back for 3 and 4.

Sorry to disappoint you. But if the series is a chess game, don't hold your hope high. The Mavs lack the right chess especially upfront. It takes someone similar to at least M. Morris, Nic Batum, Myles Turner to excel. As Rick Carlisie expresses interests in Brunson, I want a Turner + Bogdan for Hardaway + Brunson and some bigs deal goes down. Devin Booker is too healthy in this series and is able to save tons of energy guarding Brunson. The Mavs stands no chance. Pheonix is better two-way team with more consistent long jumpers. Before the series, I think things could be close. But Booker is more healthy than expected. Then, you already see the results. If you're still not, you can take a look at the result of the regular season matchup.

[41Dirk41]

This team is better with DFS at the C.

Powell is unplayable. Green too.

They are clearly better but we keep fighting.
That's the good thing.

This series will cost a lot of money for Brunson, he needs to step up...

Brunson will always have difficulty with taller defenders. Which was always the case. The just looks like Isaiah Thomas when guarded by 45 year old Mike Conley. But when you compete against the cream of the crop, he will regress to the mean. He wont score 45 against CP3 and Booker. But should have a good game or two. He won't sniff $30M a year (which he looked like against Utah) but 20 to 25M a year is still doable. At worst he's still a trade chip after signing.

Yes but all the elite teams have long defender, he will ever has difficult at this level.
The Suns bullied him all night long.

Powell and Kleber took combinated 2 rebounds. What a disaster.
Plus Brunson who can't rebound because he is short we can't win with those numbers.

The roster have big holes, next summer we have to fix those if we want contender.

But at least i pretend 2 W in this round.

[Darren]

Without major injury, neither Mavs nor Grizzlies could challenge opposing team enough. The Suns has heavy reliance on Booker. Let's hope Booker or Bridges or Ayton gets injured at some point. The Mavs ain't even close even without CP. CP is trashy.

[arkuo]

6 foot flat Jalen Brunson is not scaring 6'7 Devin Booker on offense. Booker will even request to be switched on to Brunson over Doncic, Bullock or DFS. Brunson is the weak link this series. So whatever numbers he loses on defense, he needs to make up for by scoring more on the other end so he has purpose to be on the floor. Otherwise he is a net negative on both ends. A series is a chess match, PHX just got a pawn for game 1. Kidd's turn to respond and steal a game in Arizona before heading back for 3 and 4.

Sorry to disappoint you. But if the series is a chess game, don't hold your hope high. The Mavs lack the right chess especially upfront. It takes someone similar to at least M. Morris, Nic Batum, Myles Turner to excel. As Rick Carlisie expresses interests in Brunson, I want a Turner + Bogdan for Hardaway + Brunson and some bigs deal goes down. Devin Booker is too healthy in this series and is able to save tons of energy guarding Brunson. The Mavs stands no chance. Pheonix is better two-way team with more consistent long jumpers. Before the series, I think things could be close. But Booker is more healthy than expected. Then, you already see the results. If you're still not, you can take a look at the result of the regular season matchup.

Matt Barnes said it best that this current (unfinished) version of the Mavs has a 2nd round playoff ceiling. Which seems to be right. The team is unfinished and the expectations has to be low. Its the Luka fans who think he's winning a championship this season. Realiatically they have to get a center first. That comes this summer. They can start real contention when the team is a finished project. Any game they win from here on out is just a plus for experience. No biggie.

[fuller4379]

The defense didn’t show up in Game 1. A lot of that has to do though with the fact that the Suns are superior to the Mavericks in almost every way. We have the player, but they have the next three. Kidd doesn’t have the right pieces in place this series. We are playing in house money, but I don’t see this series going more than six.

[41Dirk41]

The defense didn’t show up in Game 1. A lot of that has to do though with the fact that the Suns are superior to the Mavericks in almost every way. We have the player, but they have the next three. Kidd doesn’t have the right pieces in place this series. We are playing in house money, but I don’t see this series going more than six.

Six games is a win for us...

[Archx]

Get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center,get a center, get a center, get a center....

Maxi & Powell combined 2 rebounds, this ain't going to work.

[daoneandonly]

Get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center,get a center, get a center, get a center....

Maxi & Powell combined 2 rebounds, this ain't going to work.

Much needed

Of course if we didnt trade our then center for two bums from the Devil's City, and got a better fitting piece instead, who knows where they'd be?

Agree with most, game was lost with the piss poor 1st quarter. Luka Maxi and DFS came to play. Brunson was off, hopefully not a sign of things to come and can be like the first round where he wasn't that great game 1 and adjusted. Dinwiddie was bad, Bertans and Green were their usual level of useless.

[arkuo]

Get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center, get a center,get a center, get a center, get a center....

Maxi & Powell combined 2 rebounds, this ain't going to work.

They will. They just got rid of the Porzingis contract anf got a secondary ball handler / scorer. Next step is to replace that center they traded away. All moves wont be done in one season. Its an unfinished product.

[arkuo]

You guys have to look at this team similar to the iteration of GSW with Monta Ellis and a young Steph Curry. It's an unfinished product. They didnt start competing for real until they got Klay and Draymond. No point in giving inputs on a half baked product. Just have the guys get real playoff experience with real competition and if they fizzle out in the 2nd round then so be it. Luka has a ton of years ahead of him. The real criticisms start when they get a more complete team this summer with a new center and all.

[Darren]

I think Crowder should be suspended. The nba should not allow this kind of plays. Everyone will learn to kick while shooting three. Crowder suspension won't move an needle for the Mavs, though.

[fuller4379]

I think Crowder should be suspended. The nba should not allow this kind of plays. Everyone will learn to kick while shooting three. Crowder suspension won't move an needle for the Mavs, though.

Seems like the refs were not too concerned since he only got a flagrant 1 for it.

[Revived]

I think Crowder should be suspended. The nba should not allow this kind of plays. Everyone will learn to kick while shooting three. Crowder suspension won't move an needle for the Mavs, though.

Seems like the refs were not too concerned since he only got a flagrant 1 for it.

Watch on YouTube

They usually give out flagrant 1s for that.

[Mavrelous]

Just finished watching, yeah Mavs were overmatched, but it's not hopeless, they hanged with them until the last 2 minutes of the 1st half, and had the worst luck in the 4th, their incredible run could've went further if not for some missed rebounds, and momentum changing shots that didn't fall, also Suns hit some lucky shots, ptherwise it could've been similar to that GSW game comeback.