If the Los Angeles Clippers think they'll be facing the same Dallas Mavericks squad, then they should think again. As Kristaps Porzingis said it, the Mavs are now a different team after they got a taste of the playoffs for the first time with him and Luka Doncic leading the way.
Following the Mavs' final regular season game that saw them secure the fifth seed in the West for a rematch with the Clippers, Porzingis emphasized that what they have experienced and the mentality they have built in the Orlando bubble playoffs have prepared them even better in their second crack at the postseason.
“It was extremely important for us to get that first experience, just to understand what the intensity's like and what's the emotional and mental state you're in when you go into the playoffs. Each game, it's like life or death,” Porzingis explained, per Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News.
Sure enough, the Mavs have learned from their mistakes. They know they can't only rely on Luka Doncic to carry them, and so they made sure to bolster the roster with tested veterans who can help ease the work of the Mavs superstar. They also made a good decision to keep Tim Hardaway Jr., who has been phenomenal in his role with the team–be it as a starter or as a bench player.
Most importantly, the team has grinded out gritty victories against top teams in the East and West, showing they have the confidence to go against the favorites and actually beat them.
Of course, Kristaps Porzingis' health will be crucial for the Mavs as they enter their second straight postseason. The Latvian star missed the final three games of the 2020 playoffs against the Clippers after he suffered a torn mensicus.
Hopefully this time, Porzingis is able to stay healthy and help show what the Mavs can do when they are clicking.
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