Can Dallas Mavericks play Josh Green in Game 2 of playoff series vs Jazz?

The Dallas Mavericks dropped Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz 99-93 on April 16. It was a valiant effort by Dallas without superstar Luka Doncic. The Mavericks played strong defense and were within one point in the final minutes, but just could close out the win. Head coach Jason Kidd and the Mavs will make adjustments for Game 2, and the rotation could be one of them.

Second-year wing Josh Green was one of three Mavericks that played off the bench in Game 1, but the Jazz quickly rendered him into a non-factor by leaving him wide open on the offensive end of the floor. Utah matched up Rudy Gobert or Hassan Whiteside on Green to allow them to have another defender in the paint whenever Dallas drove the ball.

The second-year wing could not make the Jazz pay for leaving him open. He missed all four of his 3-point tries on Saturday afternoon and was limited to just 10.5 minutes of action. Will head coach Jason Kidd keep the 21-year-old in the rotation for Game 2?

Can Dallas Mavericks play Josh Green in Game 2 of playoff series vs. Jazz?

In Game 1, the Mavs had an offensive rating of 83.3 with Green on the floor, which would be 20.5 points per 100 possession worse than the worst offense in the league during the regular season. Dallas had an incredible 75.0 defensive rating with Green on the floor, and the 6’5 wing made multiple plays on that end of the floor.

Can coach Kidd take the offensive hit and keep Green in the rotation? The Mavs do not have a lot of options unless Luka Doncic or Frank Ntilikina is healthy enough to return for Game 2. Doncic’s calf strain will likely keep him out, and the team announced Ntilikina had a tonsillectomy this week, and he will slowly return to basketball activities. Both should be considered doubtful at best for Monday night’s contest.

Josh Green shot 35.9 percent from 3-point range during the regular season, including making 41.0 percent over his final 20 games. It was only 16 makes over that stretch, but Green has improved his jumper. The release is quicker, and he was shooting it with confidence coming into the postseason.

If the Utah Jazz leave him wide open, Green needs to make a couple of 3-pointers if he wants to stay on the floor. The Dallas Mavericks are struggling to create open looks without Luka Doncic, so they cannot be playing four on five when the 6’5 wing enters the contest. Expect coach Kidd to pull Green quickly if he is unable to shoot on Monday night.

The Mavs will have a few adjustments up their sleeves for Game 2 as they look to even the series. Fans certainly won’t want to miss the show, so be sure to tune in and enjoy.