Familiar rivals face off again as the fifth-seed Dallas Mavericks and fourth-seed Los Angeles Clippers meet in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. This is the third meeting between the two franchises in the last five seasons. While some faces have changed, the teams have plenty of marquee star power between them, such as Luka Doncic, Paul George, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook.
On paper, the two teams are evenly matched. L.A. won 51 games. Dallas won 50. A dynamic pair of All-Stars lead both clubs. Capable rim protectors patrol the paint at both ends of the floor. Similarities abound. However, the Clippers did win the regular season series 2-1. For the Mavericks to win this series and advance to the Western Conference semi-finals, Doncic and Irving must show their greatness and one or more of the role players need to step up and make their mark.
Offense
This will be Luka Doncic’s third attempt at knocking off the Clippers in the postseason. Fueled by Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles got the best of the Slovenian star in their first two meetings, eliminating Doncic and the Mavericks in six games in the NBA Bubble in Orlando and seven games the following season.
Doncic isn’t the same player he was when he last saw the Clippers in the playoffs. Since then, he’s made a trip to the Western Conference Finals and is the league’s reigning scoring champion with an outside shot at snagging MVP honors this season. He’s also joined by eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving, one of the best closers in the league.
The duo of Doncic and Irving make a formidable backcourt and are the alpha and omega of Dallas’ potent offense, ranked eighth best in the regular season. Scoring a combined 59.5 points per game, Doncic and Irving can break down defenses in various ways, including setting up their teammates to knock down open shots. The Mavericks took nearly 17 open (defender four to six feet away) and almost 18 wide-open (defender six or more feet away) three-point shots during the regular season.
Dallas takes more three-point shots than any other team except the Boston Celtics, but they also lead the league in unassisted attempts. With the Clippers’ defense dialed in on Doncic and Irving, the Mavericks’ role players — Dante Exum, Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Derrick Jones Jr., Maxi Kleber and P.J. Washington — to make the most of their opportunities, especially from deep, where the team shoots 36.9% overall.
Defense
Defensively, the Mavericks must slow down Harden, George Leonard and Westbrook. George and Leonard are two of the NBA’s premier players at both ends. However, Leonard’s status for Game 1 is questionable. ESPN reports that he has not played since March 31 due to inflammation in his right knee, and his availability for the series is in doubt. If Leonard cannot play, that’s a boon for Dallas, but they still have to slow down George, who averaged 22.6 points per game, and his teammates.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd will likely employ a platoon defense against George and Leonard, if he plays, rotating one of Exum, Green, Jones and Washington on and off the Clippers’ stars whenever they are on the floor. It wouldn’t be surprising if he turned to a “hot hand” approach to guarding them or even throwing Kleber at them for a possession or two. Wearing them down at one end will limit what they can do on the other.
Daniel Gafford and rookie Dereck Lively II are shot blockers anchoring the middle. Lively started for much of the season before ceding the role to Gafford, who joined the team after a trade deadline deal with the Washington Wizards. They average a combined 13.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game and present daunting obstacles for any would-be scorer who enters the paint. Staying out of foul trouble will be necessary for the Mavericks’ big men and the team’s overall chances in the series.
The series should be tight throughout. If Doncic can channel his playoff performances of the past and Irving continues being an unstoppable force in fourth quarters, they will give the Mavericks a chance to dispose of the Clippers in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
