Dallas Mavericks: Adjustments to make in Game 6 vs. LA Clippers

Changes the Dallas Mavericks should make in Game 6: 3. Attack Zubac and Shamet

Luka Doncic has done a fantastic job of creating mismatches in this series. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are two of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders. Marcus Morris is a third stout option with size. Luka has done well at attacking Ivica Zubac and Landry Shamet (or Reggie Jackson) when the Clippers are playing their starting five.

LA made that more difficult in game five. The Clippers started with Leonard and PG13 on Doncic more frequently. They put Zubac on Dorian Finney-Smith and Shamet on Tim Hardaway Jr. Creating switches meant using one of those two players as the screener for Luka. The two combined to do it 71 possessions during the regular season, according to NBA Stats. Kristaps Porzingis led that team with 178 possessions.

The Mavericks need to find ways to attack those mismatches again. When Luka gets Zubac on him, he needs to score. Getting a small player switched on is always a bucket or free throws for Doncic. He must make it happen a bit more in game six.

The Clippers could throw a wrench into this plan if Patrick Beverley returns on Sunday. He has missed four straight games with a calf injury. Still, Zubac and Montrezl Harrell will play the majority of the minutes at the five. Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks need to make the Clippers pay by creating mismatches.

Next: No. 2