Clippers-Mavericks: Luka Doncic’s revenge factor, Paul George’s demons among things to know in playoff rematch

We’re getting a rematch from final 12 months’s playoffs because the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks face off once more within the first spherical of the postseason. It’s been simply 9 months since these two groups squared off within the Orlando bubble in six thrilling video games stuffed with trash discuss, recreation winners and nail-biting finishes. The Clippers obtained the most effective of the Mavericks final time round, however it is a new season and Dallas possible has some revenge on its thoughts because it prepares for this battle. 

The Clippers are as soon as once more heavy favorites coming into this collection, and after final season’s second-round exit, this group has taken a quieter, extra targeted strategy to the season this 12 months. Some overhaul within the offseason, most notably the firing of Doc Rivers and the insertion of Ty Lue at head coach, gave the Clippers a renewed sense of objective coming into the season. Whereas it wasn’t the identical dominant show they placed on final 12 months within the common season, L.A. continues to be a championship-contending group by all accounts.

Then there’s Dallas, a group with lofty expectations positioned upon it a 12 months in the past and didn’t fairly dwell as much as them over the course of the season. Solely just lately have the Mavericks managed to appear to be the contenders many anticipated them to be from opening night time, and with a completely wholesome Kristaps Porzingis and MVP play from Luka Doncic, Dallas is as soon as once more making an attempt to put itself among the many high groups within the West. 

Right here’s every thing it is advisable to know concerning the Clippers-Mavericks’ first-round matchup.

(4) Clippers vs. (5) Mavericks 

All occasions Japanese

• Recreation 1: Saturday, Might 22 | 4:30 p.m. | TV: ESPN
• Recreation 2: Tuesday, Might 25, 10:30 p.m. | TV: NBATV
• Recreation 3: Friday, Might 28, 9:30 p.m. | TV: ESPN
• Recreation 4: Sunday, Might 30, 9:30 p.m. | TV: TNT
• *Recreation 5: Wednesday, June 2 | TBD | TV: TBD
• *Recreation 6: Friday, June 4 | TBD | TBD
• *Recreation 7: Sunday June 6 | TBD | TBD

*If mandatory

1. What model of Kristaps Porzingis are we getting?

Final 12 months within the playoffs, Porzingis averaged 23.7 factors and eight.7 rebounds whereas taking pictures 52.9 % from lengthy vary within the three video games he performed earlier than taking place with a torn meniscus. It was the turning level of the collection for Dallas, which regarded prefer it was going toe-to-toe with the Clippers as much as that time. L.A. ended up beating the Mavericks, who have been with out their second-best participant, however the efficiency Ok.P. displayed within the bubble supplied a glimpse of what a duo of him and Doncic may appear to be. 

Nevertheless, this season stalled any of the continuity or chemistry the 2 stars may’ve constructed as Porzingis missed 29 video games over the course of the 12 months, leading to one other disjointed marketing campaign for the 7-foot unicorn. There have been spurts the place he regarded just like the model we noticed within the bubble, draining 3s and blocking photographs, however then there have been the actually regarding moments — totally on protection — the place he regarded motionless and caught in mud on the defensive facet of the ball. He nonetheless shot the ball a career-best 47.6 % from the sector and 37.6 % from deep, however the consistency is the problem with him. 

We all know Luka Doncic goes to get his factors, assists and rebounds, however Porzingis needs to be constant on a game-to-game foundation on each ends of the ground for Dallas to face an opportunity on this collection. If he’s placing up numbers like he did within the bubble 9 months in the past, then the collection needs to be carefully contested all through. But when we get the Porzingis we’ve seen all through this season the place he’ll go for an environment friendly 25 factors one night time, then disappear within the subsequent, then it may very well be a troublesome street forward for the Mavs.

2. Paul George’s time to exorcise some demons

We have been throughout for the “Pandemic P” slander that got here George’s method within the playoffs final 12 months when he didn’t fairly dwell as much as expectations, not solely on this collection, however within the second spherical as properly for the Clippers. All jokes apart, although, George has been quietly having one other unbelievable 12 months in L.A. His efficient field-goal proportion is the very best of his profession (55.8 %), he’s taking pictures over 50 % on 2-pointers this season — the primary time since his final season in Indiana — and he’s additionally averaging a career-high 5.2 assists a recreation.

The Clippers have the third-best offense within the league, and when George and Kawhi Leonard share the ground within the common season they’ve been almost unstoppable, placing up a team-best 122.5 offensive ranking within the 43 video games they’ve performed collectively. All of that received’t imply something, although, if George can’t execute within the postseason this 12 months. L.A. is constructed to win a championship proper now, and if he’s unable to ship within the playoffs once more this 12 months, then George and the Clippers may very well be in retailer for one more lengthy offseason the place some critical questions on his future with the franchise could come into query. 

3. Which position gamers are going to step up for every group?

As star-studded as this matchup goes to be, when it comes right down to it, the position gamers on every squad are going to play an integral half in deciding the winner of this collection. For the Clippers, depth has been key to their success all season lengthy. Whether or not it’s Marcus Morris, Reggie Jackson or Serge Ibaka, they’ve a gradual crop of men who can are available in and put up first rate factors every to offer L.A. what it must rack up wins. Though Batum didn’t present the kind of scoring the Clippers had hoped for, he’s nonetheless taking pictures over 40 % from deep this season. Morris is placing up much more absurd numbers, taking pictures 47.3 % from deep on over 5 makes an attempt a recreation, whereas averaging 13.4 factors. Morris’ protection can be invaluable to the Clippers, and final 12 months on this playoff collection he actually did every thing in his energy to get below the pores and skin of Doncic and the remainder of the Mavericks. 

For Dallas, there aren’t as many locations to search for factors outdoors of Doncic and Porzingis, no less than not constantly. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jalen Brunson are maybe essentially the most dependable scoring choices for the Mavericks to go to, however even Hardaway is thought to be a streaky shooter. Josh Richardson has had a disappointing season, and was even relegated to the bench after Hardaway’s current outburst on offense earned him a spot again within the beginning lineup. Dorian Finney-Smith completed the season sturdy along with his taking pictures — 50.7 % from the sector and 43.4 % from deep within the closing two months of the season — however he struggles along with his consistency as properly. 

The celebs are going to get their factors on this collection, however the group whose position gamers make the largest influence on each ends of the ground may very well be the deciding issue on this matchup.