Why Dallas Mavericks fans should not panic after WCF Game 1 loss to Warriors

The shooting from the Warriors in Game 1 should help Dallas Mavericks fans remain confident

Head coach Jason Kidd has helped the Mavs make a massive improvement on the defensive end of the floor. They vaulted from 21st in defensive rating in 2021 to seventh this season, and their success has transferred over to the playoffs.

Part of Kidd’s scheme is he wants the Mavericks to limit three and shots at the rim. The Warriors took 29 3-point attempts in Game 1, well below their playoff average of 37.2. They did get 32 shots in the paint, which is something Kidd will be looking to get down, but Golden State built their lead on mid-range jumpers.

The Warriors made 14 of 21 from the mid-range in Game 1 or 66.7 percent. During the regular season, the Dubs shot 39.1 percent from that area on just ten attempts per game. Dallas forced the shots they wanted in Game 1, but Golden State had some shot-making luck. They will not make two of every three shots from the mid-range for this entire series.

Mavericks fans watched the Suns shoot incredible numbers from the mid-range in Games 1 and 2 in the last series before Dallas figured things out and knocked out the top seed. They can do the same to Golden State.