The LA Clippers are no strangers to Luka Doncic and the Mavericks, as we all know the outcome when Dallas and the Clippers met in the first round of the 2020 and 2021 NBA Playoffs. The current Clippers team is better than the Clippers team from a few years ago in terms of depth and consistency, so the Mavericks will need to do everything they can to avoid the current Western Conference 4th seed. be.
The Clippers have plenty of long wings to throw to players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and they also have the ability to play small ball against Dallas given their considerable position size. During the regular season, the Mavericks were 1-2 against the Clippers, but Dallas' one win was a game right after the Clippers traded for James Harden earlier in the season, when the Clippers were still completely in sync. It was clear that he had not. At that time, we were attacking together with new works.
Harden is the true stabilizer and initiator of the Clippers' offense, something the Clippers have lacked greatly over the past few seasons, something the Clippers didn't have in their past playoff matchup against Dallas. It's a wild card. Western Conference teams, including the Mavericks, will play the Clippers in the first round, as the Clippers have a wealth of lineup volatility they can exercise during the playoffs due to their overall playmaking and defense. You shouldn't sign up for it.
Fortunately, the Clippers are currently the No. 4 seed, and there is a significant gap between them and the West's respective No. 3 and No. 5 seeds, so Dallas currently has no chance unless they break past the No. 4 seed. We're not going to play them in the first round. 5th seed Pelicans (currently 1.5 games behind).
