Dallas, Texas – November 10: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks attempts to pass Paul with his car. … [+]
Familiar rivals face off once again as the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks and fourth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers meet in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. This will be the third time the two franchises have faced off in the past five seasons. Although some lineups have changed, both teams have plenty of star power in Luka Doncic, Paul George, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook.
On paper, both teams are evenly matched. LA won 51 games. Dallas won 50 games. A dynamic pair of All-Star players will lead both clubs. A capable rim protector patrols the paint on both ends of the floor. There are many similarities. However, the Clippers won the regular season series, 2 wins and 1 loss. For the Mavericks to win this series and advance to the Western Conference semifinals, Doncic and Irving will have to show their greatness, and one or more of their role players will need to step up and shine. .
offense
This is Luka Doncic's third time defeating the Clippers in the postseason. Buoyed by Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles got the best out of the Slovenian star in the first two games, defeating Doncic and the Mavericks in six games in the NBA Bubble in Orlando, and the following season. They won 7 games.
Doncic isn't the same player he was the last time we saw the Clippers in the playoffs. Since then, he's made it to the Western Conference Finals, won MVP this season with his outside shot, and is the league's current leading scorer. They also include Kyrie Irving, one of the league's best closers and an eight-time All-Star.
The combination of Doncic and Irving forms a formidable backcourt and is the alpha and omega of Dallas' high-powered offense, which ranked eighth in the regular season. Doncic and Irving, who combined for 59.5 points per game, can break down defenses in a variety of ways, including setting up teammates and knocking down open shots. During the regular season, the Mavericks made nearly 17 open 3-pointers (four to six feet from the defender) and almost 18 wide-open three-pointers (more than six feet from the defender). I let it happen.
Dallas makes more 3-pointers than any other team except the Boston Celtics, but they also lead the league in unassisted shots. The Clippers defense's focus on Doncic and Irving opens up opportunities for Mavericks role players Dante Exum, Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Derrick Jones Jr., Maxi Kleber and PJ Washington. I was able to make the most of it. He shot 36.9% from deep for the team as a whole.
defense
Defensively, the Mavericks will have to slow down Harden, George Leonard, and Westbrook. George and Leonard are two of the top players on both ends of the NBA. However, Leonard's status for Game 1 is questionable. According to a report from ESPN, the player has not played since March 31 due to inflammation in his right knee, and his participation in the series is in doubt. While it would be a boon for Dallas if Leonard were unable to play, they would still have to hold up George and his teammates, who averaged 22.6 points per game.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd could employ a platoon defense if George and Leonard play, rotating one of Exum, Green, Jones or Washington whenever a Clippers star plays. Highly sexual. It wouldn't be surprising if he turned to a “hot-handed” approach to guarding them, or even throwing Kleber at them to keep a ball or two. As one end wears out, it limits what you can do with the other end.
Daniel Gafford and rookie Derek Lively II anchor the center as shot blockers. Lively started for most of the season, then ceded the role to Gafford, who joined the team after a trade deadline agreement with the Washington Wizards. They average 13.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, making them a difficult obstacle for aspiring scorers to get inside the paint. Staying out of foul trouble will be necessary for the Mavericks' big man and the team's chances throughout the series.
This series should be tight throughout. If Doncic can build on his past playoff performances and Irving remains an unstoppable force in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks will have a chance to beat the Clippers in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
