2. Three point defense
If the Mavericks are going to steal a game or two this series, it will be because of their three point shooting. In last night’s game, Dallas attempted 43 shots from deep. Granted, they only made 15 of them (34.9%) but the looks were good.
What wasn’t good was the Clippers defense. The team looked lost at times, often overhelping. This was especially evident when Luka would run pick-and-roll action. The Clippers center (usually Ivica Zubac) would drop deep during the action, leaving Luka open. When this would happen, one of the Clips wing defenders would often overhelp, leaving someone open in the corner.
At other times, the team was just slow on rotations or were caught ball watching.
Was a theme all night. Overhelping and lack of gameplan discipline.
— Justin W. (@LAClippersFilm) August 18, 2020
Doc said it best by calling their D undisciplined. Pat should be better than this. You can't ball watch when you're guarding a shooter. LAC has the defenders to trust their 1v1 merit on that end. pic.twitter.com/zyM1Puhjt6
Doc calling out the team for being undisciplined is a step in the right direction. The Clippers have enough great defenders to not play like this and even their not-so-great defenders are smart enough to not get sucked in.
I don’t expect this to be an issue all series but the Clippers do need to nip the issue in the bud as soon as possible.