I agree that the Mavs likely won't win, especially Game 5 but... just a feeling that if the Mavs pull off the Game 5 upset then they will go on to win this series. For Game 5 Boston will get a chance to make some adjustments, they shouldn't be playing tight since they have margin of error, and will be geared up emotionally to give their best effort. For the Mavs to go into that environment would have to mean that they really figured something out to press an edge that Boston can't counter. What could that be?

Can Lively really play stretch 5 from the corner? If I'm the Celtics I let Lively shoot and keep helping. Otherwise this opens up the lane for Luka to body smaller defenders.

Can Lively continue to dominate on the boards and (if so) why didn't we see it earlier? Plausibly Lively has just become more comfortable, he is 20 after all. This was a huge reason why they beat OKC but hasn't been an edge for the Mavs in this series. I think it has to be sustainable to pull off the miracle comeback.

Are Green and Exum the guys over Hardy and THJ? And (if so) can they really play like that on the road? To my eye the Mavs have really been hurt by having only 2 guys that can dribble on the court. With the way Boston is defending they need someone like Exum to be able to drive into the paint.

We'll find out if something really changed in the series on Monday, but if it has then it will really throw this series up in the air. If Luka drags them to a Game 7 would anyone actually take Tatum versus Luka in that scenario? Boston will **** themselves. Game 5 is the one where they have to press their edge and take it. Mavs will need a little shooting luck in this one as well I think.

Great post! I'm motivated with confidence…

BallerStaf2003 said:

---

The power these espn analysts have to create narratives and gaslight is out of control. Luka is very injured, and has been a majority of the playoffs. They create a "blow by" statistic nobody has ever seen before and claim his temper and wrecklessness cost him game 3. Although Luka does need to stop talking to the refs as much, the officiating in game 3 was up there with Sacramento/LA in the early 2000's. It was beyond horrendous. The refs completely ruined any chance the Mavs had at game 3 and the last two fouls against Luka were marginal at best and should never be called against a superstar. Luka was also hammered multiple times with no call. What superstar wouldn't be irate? Instead of discussing how biased the refs were, espn does damage control and blames Luka for the game and creates two days worth of Luka hate to distract everyone from what we all saw. . It was beyond reprehensible and unfair.

---

Completely agree that Luka doesn't usually get a good whistle when he has the ball. But he doesn't do himself any favors by *****ing at the refs constantly. Doesn't help you get the benefit of the doubt.

Completely disagree with you on the fouls called on him all of them were pretty clearly fouls. That was not a book on brown. Luka fouled him with his arm before any hook happened. His arm was straight out and basically checked/clothes lined him before the hook. No way they overturn that if it was challenged. The last foul was a close call but I think they are calling that a block almost every time.

Really hoping that we make it back to Dallas for game 6 bc that has the chance to be the best in person sports event I've ever been to.

LFG

Chicken and the egg. Does Luka ***** to the refs because he doesn't get any calls or does he not get any calls because he *****es to the refs?

mavsfan4ever said:

---

LFG

---

That post got me jacked too.

aggiephoenix02 said:

---

Great post! I'm motivated with confidence…

---

I wouldn't say confident mainly because I think it is 80% that Boston has the trophy tonight. But, when I'm watching Game 5 and if I see Exum doing stuff, Lively crashing the boards, Luka getting paint touches, and the Mavs pull off the upset... Game on, Mavs will be favored in Game 6 and I'm not wanting to tangle with Luka in a Game 7. There would be some weird energy in that building.

Tonight is definitely the biggest mountain to climb for Dallas. If they win tonight the last two games are much "easier", whether because one is at home or because Boston will suddenly be under IMMENSE pressure. Tonight Boston is at home, gets to still play relatively loose with a 3-1 cushion and will do everything they can to blow Dallas out and remove any stress/doubt as soon as possible.

6 away from totality pic.twitter.com/cqjKOwbhFi

— Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) June 17, 2024

What's going on here?

This is the second meme that I don't understand today…

What a horrific offensive start until that nice DJJ PNR lob

Jeez I guess we aren't calling anything tonight

This is an XFL game

Will be real interesting to see if they just allow Boston to foul all night

Rough start

Boston came out ready to shut down Luka. Everybody else better step up.

The Mavericks need to get their act together, 'cus this is how game 3 went…

Wow, KP coming in….

Kyrie's shot still MIA

Derrick white shoots 89% from 3 after jump balls

Great answer

Josh Green doing the opposite of a Grahovac

Luka has got to get deeper in to the paint instead of settling for a turnaround

Hurt KP again pls

Love that from Exum. They are going to let him shoot

Dallas is just giving this game away…

Not feeling good about this

That has to be a timeout from Kidd

This such terrible coaching

What a garbage way to end the 1st.

You just can't have 3 or 4 bad offensive possessions in a row. At the same time, boston is hot on offense. It's what they thrive on

Kleber, Exum, and Green on the floor at the same time is a recipe for disaster.