Clippers And Mavericks, as we meet again… For the third time in four years, the two teams meet in the playoffs, from the first round. But unlike the first two rounds, the Californians could be in the shoes of the outsiders and the Texans in the shoes of the favorites, even if they are the Angelenos who have the home advantage.
Already, because Los Angeles is likely to have to do without Kawhi Leonard (knee) to start the series. Then, because Dallas has been in sparkling form since March. When we know that Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and others practice their best basketball of the season at the best of times, and that the teammates of Paul George, James Harden or Russell Westbrook have been blowing hot and cold since mid-February, we say to ourselves that the balance of power is in favor of the Mavs, currently.
Mavericks with revenge and who hope to finally overcome the obstacle of the Clippers, even if the two squads have changed a lot since 2020 and 2021, while there is a golden opportunity to seize on this side of the table, since the winner of this First round will face the winner of the series between the Thunder and Pelicans.
PRESENTATION OF CLIPPERS
The holders: J. Harden, Te. Mann, P. George, K. Leonard, I. Zubac
The replacements: R. Westbrook, N. Powell, D. Theis, P. Tucker, B. Hyland, A. Coffey…
Absent :/
The coach: T. Lue
Against all expectations, and from the first days of competition, the Clippers chose to recover James Harden in order to surround Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook and to strengthen their status as title candidates. It took a little time, but the mayonnaise finally took off when the right rotations were found, and for two months, Tyronn Lue's men marched on the league with this rich and complementary squad. Before ending up returning to an average level, due to a lack of effort, accumulated fatigue and a few physical glitches…
THE STRONG POINT
– Leaders accustomed to major meetings. It's been around ten years since Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook have racked up playoff campaigns, sometimes reaching the Finals or the conference finals. Obviously, at this stage of the season, the experience alone of these four (super) stars makes the Clippers a team not to be taken lightly, since their experience can allow them to get out of any situation. And, if things start working again for them, like in the regular season, we saw that they had little equivalent in the NBA…
THE WEAK POINT
– Kawhi Leonard's health. With their double MVP of the Finals, the Clippers have a record of 44-24 (64.7% wins) and, without him, it just falls back to balance (7-7). Suffice it to say that the California franchise is praying that Kawhi Leonard can play this entire series, or even just the majority of it, even if there is less and less chance that he will be 100%. of his abilities because of his knee. And, in these conditions, Paul George, James Harden and other Russell Westbrooks will have to surpass themselves, in order to forget the usual contribution of “The Klaw”, which never really replaces itself.
INTRODUCING THE MAVERICKS
The holders: L. Doncic, K. Irving, D. Jones Jr, P. Washington, D. Gafford
The replacements: T. Hardaway Jr., Jo. Green, D. Exum, D. Lively II, M. Kleber, D. Powell, Mark. Morris, J. Hardy…
Absent :/
The coach: J.Kidd
The arrivals of Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington at the trade deadline gave new impetus to the Mavericks, until then led by a still stratospheric Luka Doncic and an efficient Kyrie Irving but often in the infirmary, when the main problem concerned their defense, far too crumbly and permissive (which had also deprived them of the last playoffs). Thus, it was only enough to offer the Doncic/Irving duo “role players” capable of compensating for their defensive shortcomings and, as is now the case, Dallas can dream big with a sufficiently solid defense and two genius attackers. to guide this whole thing…
THE STRONG POINT
– A group that is a hit. Since March 7, the Mavericks have quite simply posted the best record in the NBA with no less than 16 victories in 20 games, and the status of the most effective defense in the country. Overall, this franchise has the equipment to succeed in a long playoff campaign, especially with a conductor like Luka Doncic at its head and a lieutenant like Kyrie Irving at his side. In full swing, Jason Kidd's men can aim very high in a very open Western Conference.
THE WEAK POINT
– The “supporting cast” of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Yes, the Doncic/Irving pair is capable of winning matches for the Mavericks using their scoring successes. But there will inevitably be evenings where other players will have to show up in order to relieve them of the weight on the offensive level, and we wonder if Jason Kidd's soldiers, generally inexperienced, are able to provide with regularity to take advantage of the spaces that their two stars will generate for them. Over the last month of the regular season, this was not a problem, but the playoffs represent a whole different world. Or the pressure is increased and open shots are less easy to get in…
THE KEY TO THE SERIES
– How to limit Luka Doncic ? With the uncertainty surrounding Kawhi Leonard's health, this only adds to the uncertainties that exist regarding the defense on Luka Doncic. At the top of his game, the Slovenian is obviously the head of the Texan snake and, even if Kyrie Irving is now there to assist him, the Mavericks' chances in the playoffs will greatly depend on him. Hence the importance for the Clippers to succeed in limiting his contribution as much as possible, by assigning Paul George, Terance Mann, PJ Tucker or even Russell Westbrook to his back. Even Kawhi Leonard of course, if he can play…
REGULAR SEASON
Los Angeles 2-1
– November 10: Dallas – Los Angeles (144-126)
– November 25: Los Angeles – Dallas (107-88)
– December 20: Dallas – Los Angeles (111-120)
VERDICT
Dallas 4-3. Very clever who will succeed in predicting which of the Clippers or the Mavericks will reach the conference semi-finals against the Thunder or the Pelicans. As it stands, and even if they do not have home field advantage, we are however leaning towards the Texans, untenable for a month and a half, led by one of the three best players of the season and without the slightest glitch physical to deplore. At this stage of the year, collective alchemy takes precedence over individualism and, even if Dallas is rather well stocked at this level, its collective seems more oiled and established than the more fragile one of Los Angeles. Which could make the difference, over time…
CALENDAR
Game 1: in Los Angeles, Sunday April 21 (9:30 p.m.)
Game 2: in Los Angeles, Tuesday April 23 (4:00 a.m., Tuesday night to Wednesday)
Game 3: in Dallas, Friday April 26 (2:00 a.m., Friday night to Saturday)
Game 4: in Dallas, Sunday April 28 (9:30 p.m.)
Game 5*: in Los Angeles, Wednesday May 1 (to be determined, during the night from Wednesday to Thursday)
Game 6*: in Dallas, Friday May 3 (to be determined, during the night of Friday to Saturday)
Game 7*: in Los Angeles, Sunday May 5 (to be determined, during the night from Sunday to Monday)
* If necessary.
