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WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers
WHAT: Game 4 of the series
WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. CST
HOW: TNT
THE STORY: Dallas has to find a way to get a stop in the paint. This, above anything else, is key if they have hopes of closing out game four and perhaps the series. Paint and rim defense has been a concern for weeks but the hope was that Dallas was dogging it as a team in order to try to make it through the season healthy. To date in the playoffs, that hope was just that, a hope.
But, perhaps getting wrecked at the rim for an entire series will result in some sort of scheme adjustment or effort wake up for the Dallas defense.
Kawhi Leonard is shooting 85% at the rim vs the Mavs this series
— Justin W. (@LAClippersFilm) May 30, 2021
Paul George is at 88% at the rim
Sheesh
Otherwise, the hope is for Dallas to outscore the Clippers. And while they certainly CAN do that, it’s why Dallas is up 2-1 right now, it seems a more challenging effort now that the Los Angeles defense decided to try and play as well.
We’ll see. Should be fun.
Go Mavs!