Round 1 - Game 5 game thread - Mavs at Clippers 9:00pm TNT

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by washedklean77

The Mavs will need a near perfect performance to win this game. And that will include significant contributions from KP and their role players - i.e. what we saw in Games 1 and 2. Will that happen? Highly unlikely, unfortunately. :-(

You speak as if teams don't need to always bring their best in the playoffs.

[washedklean77]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

You speak as if teams don't need to always bring their best in the playoffs.

They often don't. See Mavs performances via Games 3 and 4.

I'm okay with shots not falling because DFS and THJ weren't going to continue to have career best playoff games going forward. But where the rubber meets the road is hustle and intensity. I think most of us are okay with the Mavs losing, but just as long as we know that they threw everything and the kitchen sink in their losing efforts.

[Melonhead]

Biggest favorite of the series. Clippers -7.5 tonight.

They think the first couple games were flukes.

Let’s come out hot.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Let’s come out hot.

That's not the problem, although I hope it continues.

Mavs have lead by an average of 19 points at the 6-minute mark of the first quarter.

It's the adjustments and energy starting in the end of the first and the second that has sunk us.

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by washedklean77

They often don't. See Mavs performances via Games 3 and 4.

I'm okay with shots not falling because DFS and THJ weren't going to continue to have career best playoff games going forward. But where the rubber meets the road is hustle and intensity. I think most of us are okay with the Mavs losing, but just as long as we know that they threw everything and the kitchen sink in their losing efforts.

I am not ok with it - not that there is anything any of us can do. No A for effort. It's a bottom line business and the bottom line is that if the Mavs don't pull it together they will have shown zero progress from last year heading into Luka's 4th season. That is not slow steady progress.

[purplefrog]

Clippers: Ready to go and healthy.

Mavs: A bunch of question marks:

• Luka's injury: Will he be 100%, 90%, 80%, <80% for tonights game?
• Will KP show up or continue to fade into the background of the game?
• How is that achilles Maxi?
• THJ: Hot or cold tonight?
• Can the Mavs curtail the onslaught of drives to the basket by Leonard and PG?
• Do the Mavs shoot over 40% from the 3-point line?
• Can Luka make his free throws?
• Will RC please give some PT to Josh Green? Preferably to harass Rondo for at least 10 minutes.

Mavs have proven they can win two in a row, so I don't see tonight's game as being do or die. But we do need to see some intensity on defense that has been sorely lacking in the past two games. RC should empty the bench in search of that intensity if the rotation players don't bring it. No excuse for KP being lackadaisical, as he has had plenty of rest in between games.

Go Mavs!!

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by purplefrog

Clippers: Ready to go and healthy.

Mavs: A bunch of question marks:

• Luka's injury: Will he be 100%, 90%, 80%, <80% for tonights game?
• Will KP show up or continue to fade into the background of the game?
• How is that achilles Maxi?
• THJ: Hot or cold tonight?
• Can the Mavs curtail the onslaught of drives to the basket by Leonard and PG?
• Do the Mavs shoot over 40% from the 3-point line?
• Can Luka make his free throws?
• Will RC please give some PT to Josh Green? Preferably to harass Rondo for at least 10 minutes.

Mavs have proven they can win two in a row, so I don't see tonight's game as being do or die. But we do need to see some intensity on defense that has been sorely lacking in the past two games. RC should empty the bench in search of that intensity if the rotation players don't bring it. No excuse for KP being lackadaisical, as he has had plenty of rest in between games.

Go Mavs!!

Excellent analysis.

However, I know we CAN win two, but if we lose three in a row, I think that that the psychology takes over and this team struggles with psychology more than anything.

[purplefrog]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Excellent analysis.

However, I know we CAN win two, but if we lose three in a row, I think that that the psychology takes over and this team struggles with psychology more than anything.

If by some chance the Mavs lose tonight, we will learn something about this team in Game 6. Will they play with intensity like a team that has their backs up against a wall and losing is not an option? Or do they give up and play like crap? I honestly do not what I would predict. I am confident Luka will play with intensity, but will his teammates? I don't know, and in and of itself, that says something about this season.