Shawn Marion on Mavericks matchup with Clippers in the first round of the playoffs

Former Mavericks player Shawn Marion, who contributed in team’s achievement to win the championship back in 2011, spoke about the potential of the team this season and the matchup against one of the title contenders the Los Angeles Clippers.

“When a good team is playing against a team that’s supposed to be better than them, most of the time if you really have those kinds of players on your team, we raise our level of play to the level of the team we’re playing,” Marion said. “And we’re going to try and even it, or we’re going to top it.”

Mavericks will need all their guns in readiness as the challenge will be huge. Players like Kawhi Leonard, Lou Williams, Paul George and so on.., can be very efficient offense wise and Dallas will have to cover the gap in terms of performance, commitment and shot selection. Marion estimates that they have an elite offense and surely they can create problems for the LA team. With Luka Doncic and Kristraps Porzingis as the leaders of the ship, they will attempt to overcome all the torrential rainfalls Clippers’ offense will create and float until the end of the route. Just to point out that Kristaps Porzingis is listed on the injury report as probable for Game 1 against the Clippers with a left heel bruise. It’s the same injury that forced him to sit out Thursday’s game against Phoenix.

“Our offense is elite right now, so that gives us more than a fighting chance,” Marion said. “They’ve got to match up with us. If we get hot from the 3-point line it’s going to be hard for them.”

“The Mavs can score the hell out of the ball. Hot teams win championships to a certain degree. We all have to put our shoes on one foot at a time, so hopefully, the Mavs can do something. Let’s throw it up.”

Doncic’s stats versus the Clippers this season: 29.0 points per game, 7.0 assists, shot 42.6% from the field and 27.3% from the perimeter.

Porzingis’ stats versus the Clippers this season: 18.3 points per game, 2.3 assists, shot 34.7% from the field and 30.4% from the perimeter.

As he also said, to beat a team like Clippers, they will need everybody to contribute and be locked in, otherwise, they will be vulnerable against a very tough opponent. Clippers have a lot of depth with a lot of guys playing multiple positions — surplus we are referring to a very good defensive team with elite defenders such as Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverley — so Dallas will have to match the energy and effort in every single possession.

“You’re going to need everybody on the roster contributing because you don’t know when your number will be called, but be ready. Everybody’s got to buy in.”

Game 1 will be a test for both teams and a lot of notes will have to be kept and what will ensue is nothing else but adjustments.

“When you’re able to see certain things that you’re able to take advantage of, that’s when you make adjustments. That’s what the playoffs are about.”

Marion is a firm believer that Dallas has a special team and shouldn’t be considered as the underdog and estimates that anything can occur in this series.

“I think the Mavs do have a chance, and anything is possible,” Marion said. “I’m not putting anything pass anybody. I think we’re a special team, and I think anything can happen.

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