NBA Matchups: May 20

Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors

Team Totals: Mavericks 104, Warriors 110

Injury Report:

Mavericks projected starters: Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, Reggie Bullock, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dwight Powell

Warriors projected starters: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney

Kidd quotes: Said they got great looks that didn’t go down and they’ll believe they can make ‘em next time, said Kleber’s foul trouble wasn’t a big issue because they have to be ready for that, said Wiggins picking up full-court was a good move from the Warriors, said they were prepared for all of the GSW defensive coverages.

Kerr quotes: Said they asked Wiggins to “try to hound [Luka]” and he was fantastic on offense, said he was really happy with how they handled the glass, said they were able to settle in during the second half and the slow-ish start may have been because they were off for a few days, said they really want to try to make Wiggins work, said they really lean on Draymond for offense at times and he’s the “fulcrum” of the offense, said Draymond being the “middle linebacker” of the defense is essential against a team that spreads you out like Dallas, said shooting so well inside the arc was great and they have to make mid-rangers in the playoffs, said the Mavs were definitely attacking Jordan Poole and he did an OK job (said he can do better next time).

Stats and Notes: 

*After being the best halfcourt O in the first two rounds of the playoffs, Dallas could not get anything going there with just 78.8 points per 100 halfcourt possessions. They couldn’t get anything going on the glass, and they had just 9.8% of their shots at the rim (!). Of course, their 3-point volume was outrageous with 52.4% of their shots coming from deep, but the Mavericks couldn’t get their 3-pointers to go down, especially early. They were able to get quality looks all night with 28 wide-open treys, but they made just eight (they average about 20 attempts).

*The Warriors had everything going on offense with outstanding efficiency on twos (70% on mid-range, 89% on at-rim) and decent 3-point volume (33.8% of shots). They were assisted on 52.2% of their makes (everyone besides Poole and Steph was 50+%). The ball movement really stood out and the Warriors didn’t get hot from deep either. Plus, they didn’t have any of their shots blocked until garbage time.

*Luka Doncic really got clamped by Andrew Wiggins. Unlike Mikal Bridges, Wiggins was really able to fight through screens, but Luka did get some pretty good looks with 13 uncontested shots. However, his output on drives was basically cut in half. Earlier in the year, the Warriors were the toughest at-rim defense before Draymond went down, and Luka likely felt the presence of Dray and Looney. It’s Luka and he could bounce back, but the Warriors look to be ready for him.