dirkdiggler4177 wrote:This is a bad matchup for the Mavericks. Both teams have gotten more talented since the last series. Last time Jalen Brunson was 8 ppg playoff scorer against the Clippers and KP was injured and not mentally in it. Rick Carlisle basically told him to stand in the corner.
Now the Mavs are healthy (the only player coming in injured is Dereck Lively) and they rolling. In the last 20 and 10 games they are number 1 one in defensive rating and number 5 in offensive rating. They are also number one in wins, winning 16 out of 20.
The challenge is the big 3 because Luka and Irving have to guard one of them.
Harden - Derrick Jones (lengthy and pesky defender that can take away passing lanes)
Mann - Irving (Dont see him guarding and there is nobody else for him)
Paul George - Luka (PG got the least "takeover" the game playstyle IMO. He will get his, but Harden will handle the ball and Kawhi will be the clutch scorer)
Kawhi Leonard - PJ. Washington (P.J has been awesome defensively. He is very strong and an annoying player to go up against)
Zubac - Gafford (It will be interesting to see how Zubac handles Gafford. Gafford brings a lot of energy and hustle)
I think the Mavs take this one. The Clippers will struggle to get going because of the defense and lose trust in the offense. The way the Clippers win is if Harden takes all bad experience from the playoffs and becomes some sort of Chris Paul player, making all the right reads and setting up Kawhi and PG. They need a lot of movement and team play. The help defense for the Mavs has been fantastic. They are rotating really well, so the Clipps have to bring their A-game.
DJJ will be on PG13, one of Luka or Kyrie will be on Harden, most likely Kyrie, Harden will try to hunt Luka anyway, it'll be interesting if Kidd switches or continues to protect Luka.
It'll be small ball series IMO, PJ/Luka/DJJ/Exum/Kyrie lineup will play a lot and Maxi will play play a lot.
Huge X-factor for the Clippers was Batum, he allowed the Clippers to go small ball and killed the Mavs, interesting who their small ball 5 will be, PJ Tucker isn't the spacer Batum was or the rim protector, I'd bet Kidd will just stop guarding him.