1. The Mavericks present a difficult challenge for an opposing defense, as witnessed by their league-leading offensive rating. Luka Doncic is a 6’7’’ primary ballhandler. Kristaps Porzingis is a 7’3’’ inside-outside threat. That makes matching up a difficult task for even the best defenses.
Boston opened the game with Marcus Smart (starting in place of Gordon Hayward) on Doncic and Jaylen Brown on Kristaps Porzingis. The results were shockingly good. Smart defended both Doncic and Porzingis at various points and combined to hold them to four points on 1-of-8 shooting.