Playoffs 2024 - WCF - G2 - Mavs @ Wolves (Friday., 8:30PMEST)

[Dirk]

The Wolves are even bigger favorites to win this game than game 1. Maybe "psychology" in play and the more desperate team. But still somewhat intriguing how "odds" work.





“At times when he reacted to turnovers (in Game 1), or passes that didn’t convert to baskets for us, I was just reminding him to keep his head up and realize where we are, the magnitude of this,” Irving said of Dončić


Was just reading this today. Archx was an anonymous source.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5512077/2024/05/22/luka-doncic-slovenia-fans-mavericks-nba/

Spoiler:

Last year, Dončić was ejected from the Slovenia national team’s FIBA World Cup elimination game against Canada for arguing with an official. He flashed the money sign at FIBA executives as he exited the court.

“The Slovenian people show a lot of frustrations, because of the whining, because he’s not returning to defense,” Štucin said. “He talks to referees a lot. And we’re not allergic to it.”

At the same time, Štucin — and many other Slovenian fans — agreed with their countryman.

“But we also thought the refereeing was brutally, brutally bad,” he said.

This postseason, as Dončić’s teammates have often carried him, has finally sparked what Lamut sees as self-reflection within the Slovenian fandom. Even Dončić’s biggest fans couldn’t excuse performances like Game 4 against Oklahoma City, where his 6-of-20 shooting and excessive arguing over calls contributed to the team’s defeat despite leading by 14 in the second half.

“The argument (blaming teammates) was not there anymore,” Lamut said. “Everyone had to accept that Luka could have a bad game. Even if I call him out for having seven turnovers, I don’t get as much criticism anymore.”

[Mavrelous]

Go Mavs!!
Wolves will come out swinging, Finch is a GREAT coach, KAT is a huge talent masked by his goofiness, stay focused, take their punches and strike back!

[Dirk]

Go Mavs!!
Wolves will come out swinging, Finch is a GREAT coach, KAT is a huge talent masked by his goofiness, stay focused, take their punches and strike back!

He's not very good at drawing fouls.

Shout out to the refs... that was brilliant refereeing (apart from this bad call and a couple of others / Wolves also had a few complaints, probably more).

The refs interestingly took their time with two big calls: Towns basket interference and then Luka near the end drawing McDaniels to foul him.

[Dirk]

Kidd spends half the season annoying everyone by blindly playing THJr. Then randomly starts inserting Hardy in the playoffs and THJr only played 10 mins.

Who replaced Kidd as head coach?

Hardy somehow is credited with 4 assists in 9 minutes.

This was the nice one.

[Micah Prescott]

The Wolves are even bigger favorites to win this game than game 1. Maybe "psychology" in play and the more desperate team. But still somewhat intriguing how "odds" work.

The odds are off IMO.

The Mavs were off from 3 in game one, should have been a much bigger victory.

Odds are created in Vegas based who is betting on what, and the gamblers are expecting a Minny bounce back in game two. And perhaps they make the proper adjustments and do just that. However I think the Mavs game 1 win showed that the Wolves are the clear underdogs here.

Dallas won on the road with one of their worst shooting nights. That makes this series look very promising for them.

[Mavrelous]

He's not very good at drawing fouls.

He's goofy and clumsy, and is in competition with Luka for worst body language in the league, but he is very talented with great feel and great touch, underrated athlete also, see his put backs.

Shout out to the refs... that was brilliant refereeing (apart from this bad call and a couple of others / Wolves also had a few complaints, probably more).

The refs interestingly took their time with two big calls: Towns basket interference and then Luka near the end drawing McDaniels to foul him.

The Luka foul was funny, Reggie called them out for it, but it was a very good officiated game for a change.

[Mavrelous]

Kidd spends half the season annoying everyone by blindly playing THJr. Then randomly starts inserting Hardy in the playoffs and THJr only played 10 mins.

Who replaced Kidd as head coach?

Hardy somehow is credited with 4 assists in 9 minutes.

This was the nice one.

It's not just that he's playing Hardy, either Kidd or Hardy decided to start playing how Hardy should play, quick decision, shoot or drive and pass, no more isos as if he's Luka or Kyrie, he doesn't have the handle or the decision making under pressure for it, he's playing quick, with pace and it's looking good...

[ChipotleWest]

Wolves shot 49 3's to 40 2's, and made 18 3's to 20 2's.

I'm hoping we can get a repeat of that, because I don't think they can keep making 18 3's.

We're probably going to have to be better from 3 to expect to win Game 2.

[GermanFan120]

No need to watch this game because league wants to ensure the series is tied going to Dallas.

Mavs will have 0 chance to win game 2, period.

This game will be UGLY, Wolves win by 25+ points.

[Mavrelous]

The guy who picked Sabonis for 1st team all NBA is the Spanish MARCA journalist
The only guy to not pick Luka for 1st is the Greek SDNA journalist, he had Wemby 2nd tema all NBA
Kinda embarrassing ballot for Euro journalists

[Dirk]

A lot of traffic.

This play also makes a mockery of some Wolves fan who was talking about Edwards playmaking.

Jokes aside, I think maybe the Wolves genuinely were "tired" and Edwards in particular will cause a lot more problems in game 2. Or maybe this new Mavs team just isn't getting punked physically by the Wolves again like it used to happen.

[Doranku]

Watch on YouTube

Kyrie had this man closing his eyes, taking a deep breath, and praying to the heavens for relief before the first half had even ended. I don't really buy the 7 game series excuse. Ant just doesn't have the conditioning to dominate offensively and defend a quick guard like Kyrie all game.

[Darren]

Great efforts from Luka and Kyrie. At least, Minny could not single cover the duo. This is a great starting point to make it a series. The shooting outcome is bizarre. 24% from 3 is rough. Aand Minny has got too many clean looks from deep.

Minny will figure out the fact that Gobert is left opened a lot in paint. Set a trap to steal the pass next time. KAT has way too many putbacks. Block out better. I expect Ant to be way more aggressive attacking the rim. Minny may double team the duo and play a more uptempo pace. The duo is too comfortable with the pace. They may jump into passing lanes and generate fast breaks a lot. The Mavs is making a lot of mistakes. Let's fix them. Minny will figure it out.

Game 2 could be way different. I expect Minny to play like OKC, at least, on the defensive end. The Mavs has do well on rebounding and guarding players way bigger than their side.

Gafford and Hardy has played very well. Sound decision making and energy. Green actually is more effective this series despite some rookie mistakes. Washington is solid on the defensive end. Lively has played good defense in paint but not very well from the perimeter. There's more optimism coming to next game but bare in mind that this is the same team blowing out Denver with almost 50 points. Game 2 would be a fresh start. You'd see the real Minny team. Prepare to draw fouls to get them into foul troubles. Making them pay to guarding too close.

[Darren]

Minny lost the mind game in game 1 but they're very capable to play suffocating defense like GSW last couple of years ago with a Gobert. Don't ever let them prove that they can single cover Luka and Kyrie. This could be too comfortable to Minny and too difficult for fellow Mavs.

[Darren]

But to my surprise, McDaniels is not quite comparable to Wiggins and Edwards is not quite comparable to J Will. The latter duo is way more athletic and physical playing defense.

[Darren]

Even if Minny is playing rough but they have a lead the most game and is proven capable climbing from behind. Let's study the game 7 of last series to prepare the next game.

[Darren]

Exum is playing rough except the charge taken. As a team, the Mavs should draw more charges when Minny plays at quicker pace.

[Darren]

At some point of the game, Minny allows Lively to drive and dunk, the Mavs has to take advantage if Lively is not turnover prone handling. This happens a few times when Gobert is not on the floor. I also like the Green dunk on fast break. Unfortunately, it gets blocked.

[Darren]

Instead of lobbying all time, it's great to have different passes.

[Darren]

Instead of lobbying all time, it's great to have different passes.