WCSF Game 1 - Mavs at Suns - 9 CT on TNT

[tap2390]

Alright ladies and gentlemen... let's see if I can bring some of my patented thread-starting luck versus the best team in the league.

We have a shot. Suns haven't seen this team before. Get good looks and limit bad shots. LFG. MFFL.

[Dallas41]

Most sites that breakdown this series in their previews seem to mention the Suns will target Brunson on defense. Use switches to get on him Booker defensively.

Offensively mot seem to think Phoenix is better prepared to handle him because they have lengthy wings.

I guess this where the Mavs will need Dinwiddie to show up more than 1-2 games and shoot with efficiency.

I believe offensively the lop threat to Powell will be more effective vs Ayton as opposed to Gobert so it should be very interesting to see what adjustments both coaches make after seeing each team's strategy after game 1.

[washedklean77]

If the Mavs shoot well from three and limit their turnovers, they'll win. if not, they'll lose. GO MAVS!

[purplefrog]

Frank Ntilikina and Davis Bertans. Two wild cards that will shock the NBA world and help deliver Game #1 to the Mavs. Frank with his defense off the bench on CP3 and Bertans with four 3-pt bombs.

(Alternatively, Luka goes 40-15-10 and Mavs win.)

Take it to the bank.

Mavs 107
Suns 103

[ShaggyDirk]

Lets. Go. Mavs.

[EricaLubarsky]

Surrounded by Suns fans out here in AZ and they're the worst, but going to watch this one from a sports bar with some friends (two Mavs fans and a Suns fan).

Staying really quiet, but cheering hard inside, whether it's a Suns sweep or a Mavs win.

[Lestat_1795]

Originally Posted by washedklean77

If the Mavs shoot well from three and limit their turnovers, they'll win. if not, they'll lose. GO MAVS!

Sums it up pretty well.

[EricaLubarsky]

Threes gotta fall, but this is the series about the midrange. Ayton dominates inside and they have some killer perimeter defenders. They're top five in the league at both interior defense and three point defense

They're a bottom 5 team at mid-range defense. Brunson can live there. Luka has shown flashes of the mid-range (although he's been cold from midrange since Feb). Dinwiddie is okay from 5-10'

Mavs have to make them make adjustments by hitting mid-range jumpers.

[NewMexiMav]

I. Believe. That. We. Can. Win.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I want to have confidence, but this is such a tough matchup. And a lot depends on Luka's health.

I think we lose this one, learn from it, then pick up the next one.

Go Mavs!!

[turin]

I'm rooting for the Mavs big time, but this entire series is an uphill battle. On paper, I'd expect the series to last no more than 6 games with Phoenix winning. Personally, I think Brunson is the biggest factor as to whether or not the Mavs win. We really need Luka, Brunson, and Dinwiddie to score 65+/game to win imo.

I know I've been critical of Brunson's play against length and athleticism under which he has regularly disappeared. I have a napkin and some utensils ready to feast on a huge helping of crow if he can continue his torrid scoring pace. I am not optimistic, but I'll be rooting for him to make a big impact and earn some major bank. I really do think he's the biggest key to the series. Regardless of how great the defense is, a team has to outscore the opponent.

If I were Phoenix, I'd put Bridges on Brunson and try and shut him down. If Brunson is neutralized, then somebody else would have to step up, and that is probably Dinwiddie who has been pressing too much. I hope it's a fun series, and the Mavs should find lightning in a bottle at least twice in 6 games.
Go Mavs!

[MFFL]

Go Mavs!!

[JustJay]

Probably the best we can hope for is just steal 1 in Phoenix. This game or game 2 doesn't matter, but this game would be preferred.

[EricaLubarsky]

All the local news here is showing Brunson with tags like, “can the Suns stop Brunson”

Jalen has officially made it

28-5-4 on 53% eFG% do that

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by turin

I'm rooting for the Mavs big time, but this entire series is an uphill battle. On paper, I'd expect the series to last no more than 6 games with Phoenix winning. Personally, I think Brunson is the biggest factor as to whether or not the Mavs win. We really need Luka, Brunson, and Dinwiddie to score 65+/game to win imo.

I know I've been critical of Brunson's play against length and athleticism under which he has regularly disappeared. I have a napkin and some utensils ready to feast on a huge helping of crow if he can continue his torrid scoring pace. I am not optimistic, but I'll be rooting for him to make a big impact and earn some major bank. I really do think he's the biggest key to the series. Regardless of how great the defense is, a team has to outscore the opponent.

If I were Phoenix, I'd put Bridges on Brunson and try and shut him down. If Brunson is neutralized, then somebody else would have to step up, and that is probably Dinwiddie who has been pressing too much. I hope it's a fun series, and the Mavs should find lightning in a bottle at least twice in 6 games.
Go Mavs!

With all due respect. This is no way to eat crow. You gotta go bare hand primal with it. Utensils and napkin is really pussy-footing the process.

[Melonhead]

Lmaoooooooo Luka wtf my guy

[JTmoney2424]

They look like horseshit early

[Melonhead]

Getting Carlisle flashbacks

[Melonhead]

Damn Reggie

[JTmoney2424]

Powell is literally worthless. This guy should be nowhere near the court this series.

[Melonhead]

All our worst fears realized in 5 minutes lol

[BPo001]

Booker flexing after he missed a layup and got his own rebound

[tap2390]

We might get swept.

[BPo001]

T there??

[BPo001]

Good call, ref

[tap2390]

Luka is horribly bad.

Edit: Right now.

[BPo001]

I’d 100% be okay with never listening to Reggie Miller again.

[BPo001]

Keep it under 8 going into the second quarter.

[JTmoney2424]

Why in the world is there a tv timeout with 4 seconds left?

[BPo001]

Luka is being aggressive, but not getting the same calls as PHX.

[turin]

It's going to be a long night if Brunson and Dinwiddie can't contribute. If it weren't for Maxi being on fire from 3, this game would already be over.

[JTmoney2424]

Originally Posted by BPo001

I’d 100% be okay with never listening to Reggie Miller again.

It’s awful. At least last series we got to hear the Mavs announcers on Bally Sports. Not the case this series for some reason.

[EricaLubarsky]

Kidd gotta get us playing first halves next year

It’s better than Rick getting us burning in the first only to get blown out in the second half but it’s still a real issue

Mavs could spot Jazz 10 at the half because we could outscore them by 20 in the second half but you can’t spot good teams double digits and expect to win a lot

[EricaLubarsky]

On pace for 140-100

[Dallas41]

Powell, Bertans and Dinwiddie that's a lot of money the Mavs have tied up these guys

They have to fucking play well or else that's a lot of waisted money.

And to make matters worse they all bad defenders

[Dallas41]

What kind of defense is Bertans playing

[Dallas41]

Our defense is so bad that Pheonix has 3 guys who struggled shooting the ball vs New Orleans that shooting lights out vs Dallas

[Scoobay]

is that type of kick to the nuts a flagrant? no business flailing your leg out like that

[EricaLubarsky]

Fuck Crowder

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by JTmoney2424

Powell is literally worthless. This guy should be nowhere near the court this series.

Suns are paying McGee half the money that Powell is making

Not only is he a terrible starter but his contract is horrible