Topic: 2019 NBA Pre-Season - page 219. (Read 914452 times)

I think both of them being young and inexperienced teams in the playoffs makes this matchup more exciting. Thunder last made the playoffs in the 2019–20 season, where Chris Paul and Steven Adams are still on the team. On the other hand, the Pelicans last playoff appearance was in the 2021–22 season, and before that, 2017–18 was their last playoffs. With them battling each other on a playoff level, it is really exciting to see. When the playoffs come, it is 0-0, back to square one, so it doesn't really matter if you're a first seed or not; the important thing is to get the win every game. I hope this series will go to Game 7, so it will be worth watching. Pelicans, on the other hand, can really take over that game if Brandon Ingram gets going, but unfortunately, he has been in the Dorture Chamber and struggles to get some buckets on the first game. Looking forward to the next game, I hope it will be a close one again.

That's how it work in the playoffs, it's like a chess match, adjustments after adjustments and that for sure the Dallas are rooting to win game 2 to even the series. As they keep losing, their chances of winning gets slimmer, and as per statistics, when a team is down 2-0, the chance of winning the series is below 50%, so as much as possible, Dallas will try to avoid that as IMO they have the best season now with Kyrie on board.

Usually, they will adjust including center play time during playoffs since it’s pretty obvious what’s their error on this game if Luka is not performing like as scoring machine. Mavs is very strong in terms of offense but this strength is neutral when the opponent team can answer evenly.




Exactly, this is the problem if the team is only dominated by few players while the enemy team has same fire power like what I mention above. Mavs bench needs to step up to give space for Luka to do his own magic to carry the game. It’s very hard to carry the game if your teammates doesn’t have any contribution even small to help you catch a break.

Yeah, the Pelicans really did great tonight. I thought they were going to win it. It's not like OKC Thunder is too much for them, they can absolutely win it even without Zion Williamson.
They gave the Thunder a difficult time and I am sure this will be a confidence booster for the Pelicans players. They are so close and that last 3 minutes were teeth-clenching, you can feel the competitive spirit of both teams and I bet the OKC also felt that they almost lost that game.
This is the playoffs that I want, it doesn't matter if you are the 8th seed or the 1st seed. Fight back as much as possible and the Pelicans will probably adjust some things so they will have an upper hand next time. A higher level of defense will probably make a big difference next time although they did that good today.
Great game in Oklahoma. Loved it.

If the Heat will not have Butler and Rozier back on at least on Game 3, I'm afraid they might get swept by the Celtics.

Last season, the Heat was carried by Butler and of course it created a domino effect towards other Heat players. This time, their main player is out due to an injury hence, it affected the whole team. We've seen these 2 teams fought 3 times in the last 4 playoffs so they pretty much know the strengths and weaknesses of both teams already. It all comes down to how healthy your players are and this time, the Celtics have the upper hand. Like I said, if Butler will not play in Game 3, they have a high chance of being swept in the first round.

Gafford got in foul trouble and played only 14 minutes, and I think that's the reason why Zubac really dominated the paint getting 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Playoff Experience is also a problem with the Mavericks. They might be one of the best teams post all-star game, but in the playoffs, most of their roster doesn't have any playoff experience whatsoever. I always believe that playoff experience is a big factor as well because of the decisions that they can do during the game. Well, you said it already that most of the offense comes from both Luka and Kyrie whereas the Clippers distributed the offense.

If there's a problem with the Clippers currently, it's Kawhi being out again when they needed him the most.

They almost lost to an 8th seeded team. This is where playoff experience comes to play.
We know that the Thunder are very inexperienced when it comes to playoffs. Both the players and the coach doesn't have that much experience compared to the Pelicans that has been in the playoffs for the past 2 years I think. Last minute decisions can change the game. If only Ingram and McCollum are more efficient in this game, they might steal Game 1 on the road TBH.

They are at advantage right now so, they can say what they want to say right now. But we all know how Miami goes into these kind of draining playoffs.

They might turn into a saiyan and turn the tides into their favor. Yeah, there's still a long haul for this playoffs not just for them but also in other brackets.

So, wishing all of them good luck.

They have one of the most underrated center though in the league, but he didn't have enough minutes in the game and that's why Zubac dominated. Luka is going to adjust in this game 2 for sure, I'm seeing him erupted for a double double.


They have in game 1, only 3 players scored in double digits and it was Luka and Kyrie 2/3 of the scoring on the Mavs. So there are no contribution whatsoever from their bench like Jones Jr, Exxum and Time Hardaway.

Even without Kawhi, They still have Harden and PG which is still on their prime that can replace Kawhi in terms of aggression. Clippers have a very good advantage when it comes to their center since Zubac dominates the rebound compared to Mavs center which doesn’t contribute anything in both offense and defense.

Mavs have no problem on scoring, they are just dominated by defense especially rebounds for a second chance attempt to score. They will have a big problem if ever Kawhi will play on this series.

Just so happy playing against his favorite player, I'm seeing Kobe playing against MJ that level of competitions where you wanted to bring everything just to impress the person who you idolized more, that's something that adds more boost inside ANT, he loves the level of competition against KD, while KD is showing appreciation and just smiling back knowing that the kid is now the grow up man and wanted to put the show on, I would like to see what adjustments Suns will do and how the Big 3 will response to how Wolves are playing against them.

Looking for a good answer to avoid any early exit during this first round, Booker needs to take this challenge his offensive capabilities is very much needed together with Beal, while with KD for sure he will response and he will find his way to give the kid the level of competitions that he wanted from the person he idolized most.

I totally agree. Suns have much more to show, they will definitely respond hard. Ant-man was just having fun I think. He must surely also know that it is far from over. And he literally said KD is his favourite player and he didn't mean no disrespect, just having fun with the trash talk. I used to don't like this Suns team but nowadays I started to like them. I'm sure Booker will answer pretty good. If they claim to be a good team and if they people's respect, they have to show some big character. Although Timberwolves still are the favourites, Suns might surprise us.

Those with home court advantage won the first matches. However, I think this will change in the second matches. Let's see which series will come to 1-1. Top teams like the Celtics and Nuggets can sweep their opponents. But we will see the competition in other matchups. For example, I wonder how the Mavs will respond to the first game. Doncic and Kyrie were a good duo, but they lost to Clippers without Kawhi. They need to show a reaction in the second match. It's very difficult to come back the series after it's 2-0.

Everyone's surprised especially when the Clippers were already pulverizing the Mavericks right from the start. And it happened without Kawhi Leonard. I thought Dallas has the upper hand if the Clips do not have their main superstar. Awesome display of balanced attacks especially on Harden and Zubac. Now the Clippers has an extra allowance if they want Kawhi to continue resting and prepare him when the games are played in Dallas.

Dallas better prepare a lot of plans A, B, C, etc. because they cannot win this series without involving its teammates. It is way too obvious if they keep on insisting a pure Luke-Kyrie offensive combo.

It will be an enjoyable match, the Suns are one of the teams that can surprise the most this season. Now that the regular season is over, I think we should be ready to see surprise results. The strengths of the teams are quite close to each other, the Suns were not very effective in the first match, but we have many more matches ahead. How the series will be will be a little more clear in the second match

ANT had celebrated early, this series is far from over, there's still many games to be played, and even if they win the next game, they'll have to travel to Phoenix which is a different atmosphere. I like to see Booker respond and show his greatness, and Beal as well who have been silent so far, I like to see him explode as this is the best opportunity for him to win his first championship, of course together with Booker as he also hasn't won one, it was spoiled by the Bucks. One more day for rest and they'll be back in game 2, hopefully no blowout is gonna happen from either team.

ANT is doing crazy stuff in that game, even taunting KD several times but KD was just laughing it off. And with Towns back and Gobert maybe DPOY award again, the Wolves are a complete team now. I wouldn't put his name on the same breathe of MJ though, playoff MJ was different, and if my memory serves me right, he average 37 ppg during his prime in playoff. Let's see how KD and Book are going to respond to that game one, specially Book who is known to be a trash talker. But if the Wolves continue with this dominant fashion win, 4-1 or 4-2 against the Suns.

Well it's only Luka and Irving who scored for the Mavs, while the Clippers was in balance attack mode. But still early, this is just 1 game, and for sure Dallas will have to re-adjust involved other team mates. In this game only P. J. Washington was the other one who score double digit with 11 points.

Great game 1 between the Pels and OKC, Pels never give up in the 4th quarter to even take a lead. But they failed to execute in the last 2 possessions. Nance was block by Holmgren and then CJ unable to make a 3 for win or a 2 for OT.

That's a big statement Boston made there, but we have to remember that it's far from over, regardless on how the Boston beat the Miami, the series is still 1-0 at the moment, they still need to win 3 games to beat the Miami Heat. I would never underestimate the Miami heat here, I know they will come up with a great plan to surprise the Celtics in game 2, so I like taking chances on the handicap.

And that's it, Boston Celtics won against the Miami Heat.

We always like this match-up of these two rival teams and in the end, it's always the Miami Heat that's winning the series. But let's see if this is going to be the one that the Celtics will celebrate even if it's not yet the finals.

Let's see if Miami will bounce back on their game 2.

Lakers also shown they can hang in there last season but still got swept. I remember one commentator saying it was a "competitive sweep" since the gap were mostly under double digits. I didn't know they had a term for that.

The gap was surprising to me as well. I thought it was going to be closer but I guess the Clippers move in the trade window is paying off now.

The last period of the Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks game is played and the Clippers are ahead by 21 points.
Kawhi Leonard is not playing for the Clippers tonight, I didn't think the Clippers would win so easily.
There are 5 minutes left in the game, but I don't think the score will change.
I can say they won the first game.