2024 Playoffs Rd 1 Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers

[Melonhead]

Game 1: April 21 2:30CT/12:30PT

Now that we have an official time, figured bring back game threads for playoffs.

First off, incredible season and accomplishment for this team to get 50 wins. Truly special one in the Luka era. Personally the second half has been the most enjoyable season since Dirk. And naturally, Mavs face the Clippers for the 3rd time in five seasons.

So what do we know? Lively fully practiced with the team on Tuesday. Kawhi participated a quarter of practice Tuesday. Assume he's playing full strength.

What's different this time around? In the words of Luka "We got Kai"

Time to make some noise!!!

[Scoobay]

let's go! I hope we can play gaff/lively at least 36-40 minutes/game.

[EricaLubarsky]

Are you okay if this becomes a round 1 thread? Seems like we have a tradition going back at least 5-10 years of doing one thread per round.

[EricaLubarsky]

Game 1: Sunday, April 21. Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tip-off: 2:30 p.m. CT on WFAA/ABC
Game 2: Tuesday, April 23, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tip-off: 9 p.m. CT on TNT
Game 3: Friday, April 26, American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tip-off: 7 p.m. CT on ESPN
Game 4: Sunday, April 28, American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tip-off: 2:30 p.m. CT on WFAA/ABC
Game 5: Wednesday, May 1, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tip-off/TV: TBD
Game 6: Friday, May 3, American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tip-off/TV: TBD
Game 7: Sunday, May 5, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tip-off/TV: TBD

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Are you okay if this becomes a round 1 thread? Seems like we have a tradition going back at least 5-10 years of doing one thread per round.

I approve this message.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Are you okay if this becomes a round 1 thread? Seems like we have a tradition going back at least 5-10 years of doing one thread per round.

sounds good

[Melonhead]

anyone going to the games? if it goes to a game 7, ill be at crypto arena depending on prices

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

anyone going to the games? if it goes to a game 7, ill be at crypto arena depending on prices

You better be in full Mavs gear head to toe or you're banned from here.

I actually think this series goes to 7...at least 6.

[BPo001]

Is it Sunday yet?

[Melonhead]

If youre twitter brained like some of us, Nick Wright joined a warriors fans "space" after they got eliminated, and calmly debated and cooked those loser fans. Kinda blew up almost 10,000 people were listening in.

(a "space" is where people host a group to chat basically, anyone can join)

Today, he said he might join a Mavs "space" after one of the games vs Clippers. FYI he had Luka has his MVP.

Clearly Sunday needs to get here because I've run out of stuff to talk about lol.

[Melonhead]

Per Shams: Kawhi will be ready for game 1

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Per Shams: Kawhi will be ready for game 1

There was never any doubt he would play, but the playoff injury rate has been shocking so far.

Too many games are played and players are run down by the end.

[Melonhead]

Kawhi had injection in his knee.

I expect him 100% and to be a nightmare.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Kawhi had injection in his knee.

I expect him 100% and to be a nightmare.

Then we need to send him to PJail for a 7-14 day sentence

[DevinHarriswillstart]

You expect him 100% after having a knee injection?

I sincerely doubt he'll be 100%, but an 80% Kawaii is still easily one of the best two-way players in the league.

We'll be in trouble if he is 100%.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

You expect him 100% after having a knee injection?

I sincerely doubt he'll be 100%, but an 80% Kawaii is still easily one of the best two-way players in the league.

We'll be in trouble if he is 100%.

My brain from the last two series won?t allow me to think anything below fully healthy kawhi.

With that said, Lawrence Frank asst with clippers said kawhi has not taken contact in practice at all. So we?ll see. Half mind games half seriously injured

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

My brain from the last two series won?t allow me to think anything below fully healthy kawhi.

With that said, Lawrence Frank asst with clippers said kawhi has not taken contact in practice at all. So we?ll see. Half mind games half seriously injured

Yeah, that's pretty crazy that he hasn't done contact yet. But yes, it could be a ruse.

And I had no idea Lawrence Frank was president of the Clippers.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

You expect him 100% after having a knee injection?

I sincerely doubt he'll be 100%, but an 80% Kawaii is still easily one of the best two-way players in the league.

We'll be in trouble if he is 100%.

I do expect him 100% after knee injection or damn close.

Before getting both knees replaced, i got injections every 3 months for a cpl years. A day or 2 after each inj, i was close to pain free. Unless he injures a different part of the knee, the injection will likely carry him through the POs.

They probably postponed the injection he needed to time it perfectly for this playoff run.

[Melonhead]

Per Kidd on Lively: everything is trending in the right direction, he is ready to roll



clarification on the kawhi knee injection: supposedly he got them 3 weeks ago? not sure if they imply he got more injections this week.

However, if his knee is still this inflamed AFTER injections from 3 weeks ago...not good for the clippers

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Per Kidd on Lively: everything is trending in the right direction, he is ready to roll



clarification on the kawhi knee injection: supposedly he got them 3 weeks ago? not sure if they imply he got more injections this week.

However, if his knee is still this inflamed AFTER injections from 3 weeks ago...not good for the clippers

Plus knee injections tend to be less and less effective and actually lead to worse outcomes longterm

[SMC0007]

Either way F KL. Run his ass through screens and PnR from our bigs as much as possible.

[Melonhead]

Skip Bayless said kawhi is OUT for game 1.

I know I know, but he supposedly has a good track record for this. I don?t think he?d say that without reason. Now kawhi may still play but it sounds much closer to a game time decision than questionable.

[saclare]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Either way F KL. Run his ass through screens and PnR from our bigs as much as possible.

It's simply not good coaching if you aren't hunting him every offensive possession. Two guys can easily make those switches happen. Limit his offensive effect and I don't think these versions of PG and Harden can carry, certainly not Westbrook.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Well, a player not doing contact practice two days before a game usually doesn't bode well for actually playing.

But I hope he does play so there are no excuses. Mavs finished with a killer mentality. Nothing the Clippers do roster rise should or will change that.

[EricaLubarsky]

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by saclare

It's simply not good coaching if you aren't hunting him every offensive possession. Two guys can easily make those switches happen. Limit his offensive effect and I don't think these versions of PG and Harden can carry, certainly not Westbrook.

Yup. I have zero sympathy and I hope they go at him hard. They hunted Luka. Stepping on his heels and hitting him in the head etc. F them.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Well, a player not doing contact practice two days before a game usually doesn't bode well for actually playing.

But I hope he does play so there are no excuses. Mavs finished with a killer mentality. Nothing the Clippers do roster rise should or will change that.

It would make it sweeter, but the excuse is alreadt built in. If he plays, its "Oh KL wasn't 100%". We have to get past them, whatever way we can.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by BPo001

Is it Sunday yet?

Yup

[SMC0007]

What is the best pre game ritual? Asking for a friend.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Kawhi officially out per Afseth.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Don't think it really changes much. Clippers are still very, very good. We could easily lose this game.

Key is to how to respond when things aren't going your way.

oh and GO MAVS!!!!!!!!!!!

[EricaLubarsky]

Sweep the leg. No more shitty first quarters.

[LukaMagic]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Game 1: Sunday, April 21. Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tip-off: 2:30 p.m. CT on WFAA/ABC
Game 2: Tuesday, April 23, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tip-off: 9 p.m. CT on TNT
Game 3: Friday, April 26, American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tip-off: 7 p.m. CT on ESPN
Game 4: Sunday, April 28, American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tip-off: 2:30 p.m. CT on WFAA/ABC
Game 5: Wednesday, May 1, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tip-off/TV: TBD
Game 6: Friday, May 3, American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tip-off/TV: TBD
Game 7: Sunday, May 5, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tip-off/TV: TBD

Home court advantage is home court advantage.

B u t.

Plenty of time for Mavs to get ready for Game 1 in LA, while Clippers will be rushed and for the games will feel more like away games. IF Mavs peoperly optimized the preparation.

[Melonhead]

Let?s gooooooooooooooo

Game 1 no excuses put them in the dirt

[Dallas41]

Mavs in 5 if they continue to execute on defense

[Melonhead]

Also F off espn now acting like it?s gonna be a blowout because kawhi isn?t playing. Been shitting on the Mavs all year even 2 weeks ago. Own that.

[blessednegr0]

I am ready baby! Let's do this! Part of me wants Kawhi healthy. I don't want excuses as to why we win (if we do). I also think it would better prepare us for the next round if were to play.

[blessednegr0]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Also F off espn now acting like it?s gonna be a blowout because kawhi isn?t playing. Been shitting on the Mavs all year even 2 weeks ago. Own that.

All of a sudden they are acting like we are a good team, when we knew it all along.

[Melonhead]

Fuck man Gafford getting worked and 2 fouls

I haven?t been this nauseous watching Mavs since 2011

[EricaLubarsky]

Not a great start. Mavs have to come out more prepared. Shooting poorly and allowing 65% and 50% from three in yet another first quarter.

Neither Kyrie nor Luka have been scoring. We're only within 7 because of PJ