Mavs have to figure out a way to make KP more efficient

The reality of this takeaways is that it’s more KP’s problem then it is the Mavericks. Because of his limited shot-creation capabilities they have to find other, more creative way to get him the rock.

His 7’3 frame would lead you to believe he could work against some switches down low, but it is a STRUGGLE for him to find efficient shots there. A steady diet of 12-foot jumpers & fade-aways on the block isn’t good offense. Rick Carlisle has acknowledged as much.

So what is the answer them? That’s unclear, but they badly need him to produce like a real co-star with real consistency. Something on that front needs to give, whether it be the staff finding better ways to get him the ball or KP expanding his game.

The Mavericks first mistake was letting Portland hand around 

It’s a lot to ask a team to blowout another group of professionals. Especially a great team like Portland.

But the very moment you enter into a “crunch time” game with Damien Lillard, you’re toast. That’s the kind of level this guys is on right now.

Portland’s mediocre point differential would suggest to you that they’re a mediocre team fighting for a play-in spot. But no…they’re jockeying for home court in the loaded Western Conference. Thanks in large part to their outstanding record in close games.

”Dame time” with a subtle tapping of the wrist has become his signature. Tonight was a great example why.

If the Mavs want to get this split with Portland, they’ll need to avoid another close game.

They have to find an answer for Portland’s high P&R

The Mavericks struggle so mightily with Lillard and others like him. You’ll recall Steph Curry’s 57-point outburst back in February. Or Lillard’s 62 back in the bubble. Thankfully, they’ve dodged Kyrie Irving in their last several meetings or else he likely would have had something close to a career night.

And it doesn’t feel like their point-of-attack defense at the guard spot is *that* bad. Richardson did well tonight and has been especially solid of late. But hero bigs, namely KP, have such a difficult time in these situations.

Not too pile on. It’s an area where many bigs struggle. But they get absolutely torched in their defensive schemes and this staff needs to find at least some sort of anecdote. Not real sure what it is…might have to be something really unconventional, but I’m not the one paid millions to figure that out.