Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers beat the Mavericks in 6 games last year in the first-round of the playoffs and this year, it was expected that they would dispose of them quite easily again, but Dallas had other plans in Game 1. Luka Doncic posted a triple-double and was spectacular in the Mavericks’ 113-103 Game 1 victory.
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Kawhi Leonard and Paul George played well for the Clippers, but everybody else really did not seem ready to play. Marcus Morris Sr. did not have a good game at all, nor did Ivica Zubac or Patrick Beverley in the starting rotation.
The Clippers are going to have to make some big adjustments on offensive for Game 2 Tuesday night because if they do not, then Dallas will look to take advantage of them once again given their attacking and physical defense on the perimeter.
The Clippers were the best three-point shooting team during the regular season, but they shot just 11-40 (27.5%) against the Mavericks in Game 1. Perimeter shooting is the key to success for the Clippers in this series and if they continue to struggle from deep in Game 2, then Luka Doncic and the Mavericks could easily have the upper-hand.
