Mavs vs T-wolves game 1

People love to jump on the T Wolves hype and Ant is insane so i get it

But that being said.... team isnt very deep, just had to win 2 back to back vs the reigning champs

While the mavs had more days off and looked really good vs the thunder w bench/role players showing out

Think mavs gonna put up a lot more of a fight than ppl think

Mavericks are going to beat the T-Wolves in 6, and everybody is going to wonder how it happened again. Mavericks have been doubted by most against the Clippers, and Thunder. The Mavs have Luka, the better duo, and their team is filled with numerous role players, who know their role and play it well. They play really well off each other. Their defense has even been better than Minnesota the last 30 or so games, if Dallas is hitting 3’s, it’s game over.

FWIW I’m fully expecting the Mavs to lose tonight, make adjustments and storm back winning 4 of 5, or 4 of 6. Mavericks have lost 5 or 6 straight Game 1’s.

I don’t think it’s Anthony Edwards that will kill the Mavs, I mean he’ll score but he won’t dominate.

It’s the combo of KAT, Gobert, and Naz Reid who will do it. I don’t think Gafford and Lively can keep up.

And I’m rooting for the Mavs

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People love to jump on the T Wolves hype and Ant is insane so i get it But that being said.... team isnt very deep, just had to win 2 back to back vs the reigning champs While the mavs had more days off and looked really good vs the thunder w bench/role players showing out Think mavs gonna put up a lot more of a fight than ppl think

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While I agree that people are prematurely crowning the T Wolves, and they’re very good, I think they are deep. Naz was 6th man, and at many times he’s better than KAT or Gobert when he’s on. NAW is a lockdown defender, Anderson while a shitty offensive player provides more great defense with his length. That’s a good 8 man rotation.

However, Mavs actually have a backup big man worth a damn which the Nugs do not. Jokic was all alone down there getting swarmed and beat up.

But were the Nugs the Wolves Super Bowl? Are they going to listen to the hype? I think Conley will be big due to his experience.

Mavs in 6

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In 40 years of watching basketball I’ve never seen a player complain more than Luka.

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I could see Dallas taking one of the early games given the duration of the DEN series for MIN and the Wolves may come down emotionally.

Ultimately, which KAT shows up will be the one of the biggest factors of the series same as the other role players.

Mavs fan...I have stated before I think MIN wins the series but...

Mavs do have a couple things that, if things go their way, could lead to a potential upset.

Luka/Kyrie is a way better guard combo than MIN has faced with Jamal Murray/KCP in Denver or Beal/Booker in Phoenix. Dallas has significantly better post play/defense than Phoenix did, and Dallas doesn't HAVE to have post offense for their offense to work like Denver does. All those big dudes could (attempt to) slow down Joker and that gave Denver problems.

I don't think MIN can let Gobert just guard Gafford/Lively. If they do, he will get swapped off onto Kyrie or Luka on every play, will get cooked, then they won't have the rim protection for the drive/lobs. So I think KAT has to guard the center that way he can swap onto the guards and have a chance. That makes Gobert have to guard PJ/Kleber at the 4.

If Jones AND PJ/Kleber are shooting the ball well, now Minnesota is gonna have fits trying to have Gobert choose to close out on shooters (or leave them wide open altogether) or be there to help on drives/lobs.

Basically, this series revolves around about 3 things to me...

1) Kyrie has to score...Conley can't guard him. Gotta take advantage of him.

2) Luka has to be efficient. McDaniels and their bench defenders will be able to give him some issues, but can't stop him. He's gotta get to the rim, kick to the shooters, pick his spots to score.

3) Role players have to make shots.

Charles Barkley, ladies and gentlemen.