OFFICIAL 2022 Playoffs round 1 Jazz and Mavs - Page 2 - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

washedklean77 · 04-12-2022, 08:38 AM

It just comes down to Risk Management 101. I feel that the Mavs entered game 82 knowing what they have and how to optimize it regardless of whomever they play in the playoffs. Now Risk Management has an even greater impact to Round 1. If Luka is not close to 100% by Saturday, let him rest and let this team attempt to steal Game 1. If they can do that, then that'd be a tremendous tone setter for the remainder of the series.

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-12-2022, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by washedklean77

It just comes down to Risk Management 101. I feel that the Mavs entered game 82 knowing what they have and how to optimize it regardless of whomever they play in the playoffs. Now Risk Management has an even greater impact to Round 1. If Luka is not close to 100% by Saturday, let him rest and let this team attempt to steal Game 1. If they can do that, then that'd be a tremendous tone setter for the remainder of the series.

Not only that, but it's a great time for Spencer and Brunson to step up to the plate and get that "it's on me" experience. Imagine if we won with both of them killing it...then Luka comes back. That's glass half full, but it's not totally out of the question.

I think the more glass half full is the fact that DFS and Powell have been killing it lately. I don't see why they'd suddenly slow down. Powell needs to use his mobility to make Gobert run around the court.

washedklean77 · 04-12-2022, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Not only that, but it's a great time for Spencer and Brunson to step up to the plate and get that "it's on me" experience. Imagine if we won with both of them killing it...then Luka comes back. That's glass half full, but it's not totally out of the question.

I think the more glass half full is the fact that DFS and Powell have been killing it lately. I don't see why they'd suddenly slow down. Powell needs to use his mobility to make Gobert run around the court.

Powell has been really good as of late due to Luka, though, as their pick-n-roll chemistry is that of the good ole Nash and Stoudamire days. Also, it'll be interesting to see how the perimeter shooters play in the early goings as those threes that they've been living off of since the ASB don't always fall as easily in the playoffs. And Luka absolutely helps with that as being a fantastic facilitator for the open three.

But I agree with you. If Spencer and Brunson can come out and play great, then that'll certainly help Luka ease back into the action when he's ready.

Dallas41 · 04-12-2022, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Not only that, but it's a great time for Spencer and Brunson to step up to the plate and get that "it's on me" experience. Imagine if we won with both of them killing it...then Luka comes back. That's glass half full, but it's not totally out of the question.

I think the more glass half full is the fact that DFS and Powell have been killing it lately. I don't see why they'd suddenly slow down. Powell needs to use his mobility to make Gobert run around the court.

Rudy is a bad matchup for Powell because Powell isn't a stretch big.

Rudy can camp out inside and block shots at the rim. Plus I don't think Powell can keep this guy off the offensive glass.

To make matters worse Powell offense is generated by Luka. So if you take away Luka I'm not sure Powell gets that many easy shot's

The Luka injury will determine how well Powell plays on offense this series.

Dallas41 · 04-12-2022, 10:47 AM

I hope the Mavs can play a little better at home this year in the playoffs as opposed to how they played vs the Clippers last year (didn't win a home game) because Utah has absolutely owned them up in Salt Lake City

This is from MMB
Dinwiddie gives them the depth to potentially "steal" one without Luka. Home court, it turns out, is even more critical if the Mavericks superstar sits. They already struggle in Utah, even when Luka plays, and have not won a game in Salt Lake City since the 2014-15 season.

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-12-2022, 12:28 PM

Dinwiddie averaged 31ppg, 6.5 apg, 54% shooting and 46% from three the two games he played without Luka. He and Brunson played great together in those games.

Again, it at least makes the games watchable at the very least. If we had KP instead of Spencer, then you can call the series before it starts.

Thespiralgoeson · 04-12-2022, 12:53 PM

I'm guessing the Mavs want to keep the Jazz in the dark as long as they possibly can, so we won't know if Luka's playing or not until moments before game time.

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-12-2022, 01:54 PM

This sounds promising although it's all propaganda to keep the Jazz in the dark at this point.

https://twitter.com/CallieCaplan/sta...41727467421698

G-Man · 04-12-2022, 05:07 PM

They say information is power, and I think the Mavs have more information than they are sharing, because not sharing it forces Utah to prepare as though Luka will be ready for game one. My guess is he won't be ready, but when Utah finds out for sure, there will be an inevitable letdown, which opens the door wider for the short-handed Mavs to steal a game or two.

This gives the Mavs a definite advantage in the mind game department. Spencer and Brunson are free to practice all week to play without Luka, while Utah has to prepare to face the Mavs both with and without him. Without Luka, the Mavs style is very different. Both guards will drive into the paint, but they won't dwell there to draw the double and triple teams like Luka does. They will move the ball more quickly, and with 4 days to practice it, they'll be ready. Meanwhile, Utah has never played the Mavs with Spencer and without Luka...another advantage for Dallas.

G-Man · 04-12-2022, 05:38 PM

Last year, the Mavs opened the playoffs on Saturday. Game 2 was the following Tuesday, and game three not until the next Friday. If the same scheduling holds this year, game 1 will come 6 days after Luka's injury. Game 2 would be 9 days after and game 3 would be 12 days after. Game four, on Sunday would give him 15 days to heal.

If we got to game 4 down 2 to 1, I'd give the Mavs even odds to win 3 out of 4.

Extra incentive for Brunson...talk about a prime time audition for him to show how he'd play as the lead guard in a playoff series, heading into free agency. Every game he wins probably adds 2 million to his next contract.

Dallas41 · 04-12-2022, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Man

Last year, the Mavs opened the playoffs on Saturday. Game 2 was the following Tuesday, and game three not until the next Friday. If the same scheduling holds this year, game 1 will come 6 days after Luka's injury. Game 2 would be 9 days after and game 3 would be 12 days after. Game four, on Sunday would give him 15 days to heal.

If we got to game 4 down 2 to 1, I'd give the Mavs even odds to win 3 out of 4.

Extra incentive for Brunson...talk about a prime time audition for him to show how he'd play as the lead guard in a playoff series, heading into free agency. Every game he wins probably adds 2 million to his next contract.

Maybe it's just me but I don't see Dallas winning more than 1 game in Utah doing this series and that's if they win a road game at all.

Let's not forget they have lost like 15 straight games up in Utah so it'll be imperative that Dallas maintains HCA throughout this series.

Melonhead · 04-12-2022, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallas41

Maybe it's just me but I don't see Dallas winning more than 1 game in Utah doing this series and that's if they win a road game at all.

Let's not forget they have lost like 15 straight games up in Utah so it'll be imperative that Dallas maintains HCA throughout this series.

Since the 2015-2016 season. Mavs can get one game at best imo

G-Man · 04-13-2022, 11:00 AM

[

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallas41

Maybe it's just me but I don't see Dallas winning more than 1 game in Utah doing this series and that's if they win a road game at all.

Let's not forget they have lost like 15 straight games up in Utah so it'll be imperative that Dallas maintains HCA throughout this series.

I'm not nearly so worried as you are about the Mavs playing in Utah in the playoffs. During the regular season, they play all the games pretty close to sea level. Then, 3 or 4 times a year, they jump up to nearly 5000 ft altitude to play in Denver and Salt Lake City. They fly in in the wee hours, play that night and leave. They have no time to acclimate to it. In the playoffs, they can come in a couple of days early to get used to it.

Last year, the Jazz beat the Clips the first two games in Utah, but lost the last two.

More importantly, after being embarrassed by the way Gobert defended him, Luka got better. In the 2nd game, they held him to 24 points, shooting 8 of 24 with Gobert switching on him a lot. Next time they met, Luka scored 35 and seemed to be hunting Gobert to prove he could beat the big guy, just like he did with Giannis last week. So if Luka is playing by the time they get to Utah, I say advantage Mavs, no matter what the altitude.

Dallas41 · 04-13-2022, 12:46 AM

From listening to Woj today it doesn't seem like Luka is going to play early in this series.

I'm guessing they might not want to risk any further injury and he could potentially be held out until game 3.

Also, Maxi didn't practice today.

Melonhead · 04-13-2022, 07:17 AM

Game 1 Saturday
Game 2 MONDAY
Game 3 Thursday.

So if Luka is missing game 1 he’s probably missing game 2

Fuck man

tap2390 · 04-13-2022, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallas41

Also, Maxi didn't practice today.

Don’t give me hope.

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-13-2022, 10:31 AM

There is no reason to panic until we have legit information...including Woj who likes to fire people before they are fired.

Luka is very young with a history of being able to play like last year vs the Clippers with the nerve issue, so there is no reason to be doom and gloom.

He might miss he first game, but knowing him, I sincerely doubt he misses another.

Dallas41 · 04-13-2022, 12:19 PM

Relative to the other seven series, the Dallas-Utah matchup is given the lowest priority both in terms of channels (only series with two NBAtv games) and times. There’s a lot we could read into that, but with Luka Doncic’s injury status unclear at the moment, it’s not hard to understand why the series got deprioritized for television.

Considering at least one first round series usually ends in a sweep or a gentleman’s sweep (five games), if the Mavericks can hold off the Jazz long enough for Luka Doncic to return somewhat healthy, then some of the currently unscheduled games might have better time slots.

EricaLubarsky · 04-13-2022, 04:06 PM

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com...ex_cid=rrpromo

538 has us favored lightly in games 1/2

538 has Jazz HEAVILY favored in SLC.

blessednegr0 · 04-14-2022, 10:10 AM

I am not sure if this is appropriate, so feel free to remove my post if it isn't.

I believe heavily in this Mavs team and saw the spread was +255 Dallas. I was going to place a pretty large bet given the odds. I am really concerned about the Luka injury though. Part of me feels he is healthy and the first round will be easy. The part that scares me is not having him in the first round.

I am not a betting man but with +255 I almost feel like I have to. We are the better team with Luka. His status just worries me. Regardless, I am excited to see what we can do in the playoffs.

EricaLubarsky · 04-14-2022, 11:10 AM

9 teams remain in the west

Of those only two have a championship

Dallas and GS

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-14-2022, 12:07 PM

I dunno, I'm starting to think Luka plays. He is the type that wants to be on the court no matter what. It might not be the best decision but who is gonna tell him no?

Dallas41 · 04-14-2022, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I dunno, I'm starting to think Luka plays. He is the type that wants to be on the court no matter what. It might not be the best decision but who is gonna tell him no?

If I recall in similiar situation vs the Spurs in the WCF's back in 04 I think Cuban said NO

He wouldn't let Dirk play in the rest of that series do to a knee sprain. He said at that time they wouldn't risk further injury because he had long career ahead of him.

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-14-2022, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallas41

If I recall in similiar situation vs the Spurs in the WCF's back in 04 I think Cuban said NO

He wouldn't let Dirk play in the rest of that series do to a knee sprain. He said at that time they wouldn't risk further injury because he had long career ahead of him.

Knees and Calves are oceans apart in things that can ruin your career. Not saying a calf injury can't be serious, but the knee and achilles foot are the red zone injuries you shut down.

BPo001 · 04-14-2022, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Knees and Calves are oceans apart in things that can ruin your career. Not saying a calf injury can't be serious, but the knee and achilles foot are the red zone injuries you shut down.

We need to worry less about losing a playoff series by rushing Luka back if he isn’t ready. I’d rather lose a playoff series than Luka for most of next season if he was to get seriously injured. I still don’t think we are quite championship caliber this season, but with the right moves in the offseason we can be next season.

FreshJive · 04-14-2022, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Knees and Calves are oceans apart in things that can ruin your career. Not saying a calf injury can't be serious, but the knee and achilles foot are the red zone injuries you shut down.

Kevin Durant says hi

G-Man · 04-15-2022, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshJive

Kevin Durant says hi

As I recall, Kevin Durant was coming back from a calf strain when he blew out his Achilles. So I am preparing myself for a Luka-less playoff run. I'd much rather lose to Utah in 4 than have Luka be gimpy into the next season.

And I say that as a person who was in the stands the night in 2003 when Dirk hurt his knee. That was before we knew he was bionic.

I found this when I Googled Durant calf and achilles injury.

"Durant had been dealing with a calf injury, on the same leg, for a few weeks before this Achilles injury. He missed several games because of the calf injury and was in his first game back in action...The calf and Achilles tendon are so interrelated that most times when one has a problem so does the other.

Hoping the NBA would overturn that tech has taught me, again, to be careful what you wish for.

FreshJive · 04-14-2022, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallas41

If I recall in similiar situation vs the Spurs in the WCF's back in 04 I think Cuban said NO

He wouldn't let Dirk play in the rest of that series do to a knee sprain. He said at that time they wouldn't risk further injury because he had long career ahead of him.

I think you might be referring to when Nelson refused to play Dirk, and Cuban wanted him to play. He accused Nellie as just wanting an excuse for losing. It was part of the trial when Nellie sued Cuban.

Thespiralgoeson · 04-14-2022, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallas41

If I recall in similiar situation vs the Spurs in the WCF's back in 04 I think Cuban said NO

He wouldn't let Dirk play in the rest of that series do to a knee sprain. He said at that time they wouldn't risk further injury because he had long career ahead of him.

It was in 03, and it was Nellie who refused to play Dirk, and Cuban was furious because the doctors had cleared Dirk to play. Their relationship wasn't great to start with, but from that point on it was toxic, and they never recovered from it.

For the record, I am 100% on Cuban's side in that debate. For all intents and purposes, that series was the Finals. If we win that series, we win the title. Nellie's not a f**king doctor and has no business overruling medical professionals, especially when there's an NBA championship on the line. Why the hell even have team doctors if you're just going to ignore them?

I've never lost too much sleep over that one because even if Dirk plays, I think the Spurs still probably win that series, but it still makes me mad whenever I occasionally think back on it.

MFFL · 04-15-2022, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

It was in 03, and it was Nellie who refused to play Dirk, and Cuban was furious because the doctors had cleared Dirk to play. Their relationship wasn't great to start with, but from that point on it was toxic, and they never recovered from it.

For the record, I am 100% on Cuban's side in that debate. For all intents and purposes, that series was the Finals. If we win that series, we win the title. Nellie's not a f**king doctor and has no business overruling medical professionals, especially when there's an NBA championship on the line. Why the hell even have team doctors if you're just going to ignore them?

I've never lost too much sleep over that one because even if Dirk plays, I think the Spurs still probably win that series, but it still makes me mad whenever I occasionally think back on it.

I was so mad at that for a number of years. Nellie cost Dirk a championship

SMC0007 · 04-14-2022, 12:28 PM

IMO. The questions isn't IF Luka will play game 1. It's if he has a flare up at any point.

purplefrog · 04-14-2022, 01:10 PM

I was just looking for the Mavs playoff roster and did not see Theo Pinson, Moses Wright, or Brandon Knight listed on the realgm website. Is that accurate? Just looking at the bench depth in case Luka is out a game or two (I believe it will be one or none).

Dallas41 · 04-14-2022, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplefrog

I was just looking for the Mavs playoff roster and did not see Theo Pinson, Moses Wright, or Brandon Knight listed on the realgm website. Is that accurate? Just looking at the bench depth in case Luka is out a game or two (I believe it will be one or none).

If I'm not mistaken Wright and Pinson are both two way contracts making them ineligible for the playoff roster.

Knight was just a 10 day contract

EricaLubarsky · 04-14-2022, 01:22 PM

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
Mavericks star Luka Doncic is expected to miss Game 1 vs. Jazz on Saturday night due to strained calf, sources tell
@TheAthletic

@Stadium
.

The latest regarding Doncic:

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-14-2022, 01:53 PM

Key word there being "expected." Those guys aren't usually wrong, but I dunno. Something is fishy for some reason. I'll believe it when it comes from the Mavs.

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-14-2022, 02:36 PM

And Callie Caplan said they haven't ruled out playing him. I trust her more.

kg_veteran · 04-14-2022, 02:39 PM

Luka is playing. Not sure why this is even debatable.

SMC0007 · 04-14-2022, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kg_veteran

Luka is playing. Not sure why this is even debatable.

That is my guess. Whether or not it holds up is my concern.

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-14-2022, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kg_veteran

Luka is playing. Not sure why this is even debatable.

Dallas41 · 04-14-2022, 06:28 PM

Mavs are most likely going to get killed on the board in this series especially since Luka is our best rebounder.

But somehow Bertans and Kleber are going to have pull Gobert and Whiteside away from the basketball and they both need to shoot 36% or higher to accomplish that feat.

Otherwise, both of those guys are just going to clog up the paint defensively and take away Dinwiddie and Brunson drives.