The Dallas Mavericks are considered the underdogs in their first-round playoffs match-up with the Los Angeles Clippers. However, Kawhi Leonard is not underestimating the Mavs, not with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis hungry to prove doubters wrong.
Kawhi is particularly wary of Porzingis, whom he called a “very skilled” big man. While all the focus is on Luka, Kristaps will likely be the X-factor for the Mavs if they want to pull off an upset against the Clippers.
“He's what? 7-something? 7-2? 7-foot? Can shoot the ball, can dribble, make plays out of the post, even from the three-point line, dribble driving. Just have to keep a high hand up and try to challenge his shots. He's very skilled,” Leonard said of Porzingis, per Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News.
Kristaps Porzingis has undoubtedly been critical for the Mavs in their bid for the playoffs. He's the perfect partner for Doncic, thanks to his ability to stretch the floor and knock down the deep triple.
As Leonard noted, KP can score in a variety of ways, which makes him a tough match-up for anyone — even for a Clippers team that boasts some of the best defenders in the league in Kawhi, Paul George and Patrick Beverley.
Porzingis is listed as probable for the Mavs in Game 1 against the Clippers on Tuesday due to a heel issue. Nonetheless, he is expected to suit up considering the importance for Dallas to establish an early momentum in the series.
In the NBA bubble during the seeding games, the Latvian sensation averaged 30.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 block. He also shot well throughout, registering a 47.6 percent shooting clip from the field, 38.1 percent from deep and 89.1 percent from the free-throw line.
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