(3) Golden State Warriors vs (4) Dallas Mavericks WCF

[msgkings322]

On paper, yes.

But in the gut, it is natural to lay off the gas a bit in that situation. The team that is down has a survival instinct kick in while the team that is up relaxes too much.

It isn’t necessarily consciously intentional, but it certainly is subconsciously explainable.

This is all I'm saying, long time NBA heads here acting like this isn't how it always goes.

I'm not saying the Warriors actually tanked the game. But to say they were trying the same way they did in games 1-3 is silly. And they aren't the first team to do this in game 4 up 3-0 on the road.

 

[msgkings322]

Now, like I said, they have some pressure now in game 5. If they lose that suddenly it's not as much a lock they close it out, and it probably takes 7 games. I expect them to treat this game 5 almost like a game 7 and I expect them to win.

 

[Robotech]

This is all I'm saying, long time NBA heads here acting like this isn't how it always goes.

I'm not saying the Warriors actually tanked the game. But to say they were trying the same way they did in games 1-3 is silly. And they aren't the first team to do this in game 4 up 3-0 on the road.

We shouldn't be taking away anything from the Mavs' performance. You just have to give credit to the Mavs for making so many 3-pointers and building a lead so large that it held. Kerr did acknowledge that the Mavs played with more force. That sounds like an admission that the Warriors didn't play as hard as the Mavs, but it could also mean that the Warriors gave the same effort as they did in Games 1-3 but that the Mavs added more effort in this game compared to the ones prior, and so Kerr is challenging his guys to step it up even more.

The good thing to see for a Warriors fan is that the bench guys that played most of the 4th quarter played so hard and played very well. Maybe Kuminga will be a positive factor in games moving forward. Moody already has contributed, and it was good to see him continue his upward trend.

 

[trojanfan12]

I don't care what you think you're watching, teams want ro close out the series in as few games as possible.

I agree in that I don't think that teams up 3-0 intentionally ''lay down'' as @msgkings322 implies. But as @calsnowskier said, the team that is down has a ''survival instinct'' that kicks in because they don't want another team celebrating in their house. Makes it easier for the team that's up to subconciously decide to use the margin for error a 3-0 lead provides.

 

[Robotech]

Now, like I said, they have some pressure now in game 5. If they lose that suddenly it's not as much a lock they close it out, and it probably takes 7 games. I expect them to treat this game 5 almost like a game 7 and I expect them to win.

Chuck was finally right about some things. He predicted Game 4 correctly and it is true that the Warriors better finish this in Game 5.

 

[msgkings322]

We shouldn't be taking away anything from the Mavs' performance. You just have to give credit to the Mavs for making so many 3-pointers and building a lead so large that it held. Kerr did acknowledge that the Mavs played with more force. That sounds like an admission that the Warriors didn't play as hard as the Mavs, but it could also mean that the Warriors gave the same effort as they did in Games 1-3 but that the Mavs added more effort in this game compared to the ones prior, and so Kerr is challenging his guys to step it up even more.

The good thing to see for a Warriors fan is that the bench guys that played most of the 4th quarter played so hard and played very well. Maybe Kuminga will be a positive factor in games moving forward. Moody already has contributed, and it was good to see him continue his upward trend.

That's also it. The Ws are a better team but the Mavs are no joke. I never expected a sweep. I picked Warriors in 7 and it still may end up that.

And yes part of Kerr's calculus was getting the bench some playoff run.

 

[msgkings322]

I agree in that I don't think that teams up 3-0 intentionally ''lay down'' as @msgkings322 implies. But as @calsnowskier said, the team that is down has a ''survival instinct'' that kicks in because they don't want another team celebrating in their house. Makes it easier for the team that's up to subconciously decide to use the margin for error a 3-0 lead provides.

I'm walking back the 'lay down' comments, that was sports trash talk. Mainly for Cane who thinks benching Kleber is relevant. But I stand by the gist of this. Am I the only one who notices how often teams at home down 3-0 win game 4? It happens most of the time.

 

[Robotech]

I agree in that I don't think that teams up 3-0 intentionally ''lay down'' as @msgkings322 implies. But as @calsnowskier said, the team that is down has a ''survival instinct'' that kicks in because they don't want another team celebrating in their house. Makes it easier for the team that's up to subconciously decide to use the margin for error a 3-0 lead provides.

Only 3 things we know for sure, IMO:

1. Dallas played really hard.

2. Kerr didn't think the Warriors' chances of coming back from 29 points with 12 minutes to go were very good, so he played the bench guys and just hoped something unlikely would happen. He also probably thought it was good to give those guys experience.

3. But despite 2 above, the Warriors were still trying to win the game to the very end. Even if you're throwing a Hail Mary by hoping the bench guys somehow bring you back into it, you are still throwing a Hail Mary to try to win the game.

 

[msgkings322]

Chuck was finally right about some things. He predicted Game 4 correctly and it is true that the Warriors better finish this in Game 5.

If they lose game 5 I think they win in 7 and that's no bueno (beats losing of course). So yes game 5 is crucial.

 

[trojanfan12]

I'm walking back the 'lay down' comments, that was sports trash talk. Mainly for Cane who thinks benching Kleber is relevant. But I stand by the gist of this. Am I the only one who notices how often teams at home down 3-0 win game 4? It happens most of the time.

I think what happens is that the team that's up comes out and plays hard at the start to see how much fight the other team has in them. If they don't show much, they close the series. If they come out with a lot of fight, it just becomes easier to close them out in at home in game 5.

I wonder if the Warriors starters are mad at the bench guys for playing so well and making them have to come back into the game. lol

 

[msgkings322]

I think what happens is that the team that's up comes out and plays hard at the start to see how much fight the other team has in them. If they don't show much, they close the series. If they come out with a lot of fight, it just becomes easier to close them out in at home in game 5.

I wonder if the Warriors starters are mad at the bench guys for playing so well and making them have to come back into the game. lol

Yes that's exactly how it happens. And everyone here acting like I'm making this up.

 

[Robotech]

If they lose game 5 I think they win in 7 and that's no bueno (beats losing of course). So yes game 5 is crucial.

If they lose game 5, then we'll all be freaking out about making history. LOL. At least, the Yankees have already paved the way in another sport and if it can happen to the most successful pro sports franchise of all time, then it can happen to anyone, and so I won't feel too bad about it. I promise!

 

[msgkings322]

If they lose game 5, then we'll all be freaking out about making history. LOL. At least, the Yankees have already paved the way in another sport and if it can happen to the most successful pro sports franchise of all time, then it can happen to anyone, and so I won't feel too bad about it. I promise!

I won't be 'freaking out' but I will definitely start to worry. I did after all pick Ws in 7 and so far this playoffs I've been nailing it.

 

[Robotech]

I think what happens is that the team that's up comes out and plays hard at the start to see how much fight the other team has in them. If they don't show much, they close the series. If they come out with a lot of fight, it just becomes easier to close them out in at home in game 5.

I wonder if the Warriors starters are mad at the bench guys for playing so well and making them have to come back into the game. lol

I read that Curry told Kerr he was ready to come into the game whenever. Sounds like the vets were willing to just let the bench guys finish off the game, but they would, of course, defer to Kerr on what to do if the game got closer.

 

[Robotech]

I won't be 'freaking out' but I will definitely start to worry. I did after all pick Ws in 7 and so far this playoffs I've been nailing it.

I see what's important to you. LOL.

 

[msgkings322]

I see what's important to you. LOL.

 

[Manster7588]

I agree in that I don't think that teams up 3-0 intentionally ''lay down'' as @msgkings322 implies. But as @calsnowskier said, the team that is down has a ''survival instinct'' that kicks in because they don't want another team celebrating in their house. Makes it easier for the team that's up to subconciously decide to use the margin for error a 3-0 lead provides.

I agree with you. This was more about Dallas backs against the wall. They will need to continue to play with that back against the wall mentality, if they want any chance to win.

My argument is the Warriors didn’t just lay down, because the know as long as the Mavs hang around they can still win the series.

It will be extremely difficult for the mavs to continue to play the way they did and get that many shots to fall for another 3 games.


I say the same thing about teams digging a deep hole early and then fight to gome back in an individual game. A lot of times they exert so much energy in the comeback they have no gas in the tank and lose anyway.


For the mavs to win they will need to burn a lot of energy for 3 more games, I'm nit sure they have it in them.

 

[Robotech]

I think what happens is that the team that's up comes out and plays hard at the start to see how much fight the other team has in them. If they don't show much, they close the series. If they come out with a lot of fight, it just becomes easier to close them out in at home in game 5.

I wonder if the Warriors starters are mad at the bench guys for playing so well and making them have to come back into the game. lol

I know I should just stop reading reddit, but there are a bunch of Warriors fans there complaining that Kerr messed up by bringing in Curry for Damion Lee when the Warriors had gotten the deficit down to 8 points with 3.5 minutes left. Some argue that the bench had made the comeback and deserved to finish the game. Others argue that if you bring in Curry, then you have to bring in the rest of the starters because Curry doesn't have enough chemistry with Poole, Moody, Kuminga, and Bjelica.

But come on, can you really complain about bringing in the greatest 3-point shooter ever when you still have 8 points to make up in 3.5 minutes? At that point, the comeback is still very unlikely, but Kerr was reasonably trying to improve the Warriors' chances by bringing in more firepower. Not every decision is going to work out. All we can ask for are reasonable decisions.

 

[trojanfan12]

Only 3 things we know for sure, IMO:

1. Dallas played really hard.

2. Kerr didn't think the Warriors' chances of coming back from 29 points with 12 minutes to go were very good, so he played the bench guys and just hoped something unlikely would happen. He also probably thought it was good to give those guys experience.

3. But despite 2 above, the Warriors were still trying to win the game to the very end. Even if you're throwing a Hail Mary by hoping the bench guys somehow bring you back into it, you are still throwing a Hail Mary to try to win the game.

Agree with first 2. Less so on #3. I think when a team is down that much, that late, they aren't looking to win the game. They're just playing out the string and getting the reserves some run.

Where I do agree is that the reserves don't see it that way. They see it as their opportunity to get more playing time. So, while the starters and coaches may have waved the white flag...the reserves have not. They probably don't think they're going to win either...but they aren't going to play like it.

 

[trojanfan12]

Yes that's exactly how it happens. And everyone here acting like I'm making this up.

I think most of it is reaction to the laying down comments at the beginning.