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Pick Your Poison: How Mavs Are Attacking Suns’ Defense

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Pick Your Poison: How Mavs Are Attacking Suns’ Defense


The Dallas Mavericks hope to construct on the momentum they established towards the Phoenix Suns of their two wins on the American Airways Heart. 

Getting off a powerful begin has been important within the Mavericks’ wins on this collection. A key think about doing so has been the changes made utilizing completely different actions out of their base units like Stack pick-and-roll to open issues up. 

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Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns

As an alternative of utilizing the identical primary back-screen for a rim roll with the screener flaring out, they’ve gotten inventive understanding the Suns will change off the back-screener. Paul is usually the first defender on Reggie Bullock to assist scale back his workload. Paul making the change off the back-screen early within the collection bottled up this set. 

In Recreation 3, the Mavericks opted to make use of Stack pick-and-roll to get right into a aspect ball display screen for Jalen Brunson towards a positive matchup on the weak aspect. After his struggles early within the collection, there was a transparent emphasis on getting him going early.

In Recreation 4, the Mavericks had Bullock run out to the nook understanding that Paul would change onto Doncic and Ayton would keep within the paint to anchor the protection. Consequently, Phoenix now not knew what they have been guarding — inflicting a breakdown. 

When an offense has a celebrity that instructions such heavy defensive consideration as Doncic does, there are methods to take benefit. The Mavericks have emphasised accepting the additional ball strain on the nail in favor of utilizing reducing to attract tags and create passing home windows. 

The Mavericks have made it some extent to make use of a number of ball screens to power a change they need. Whether or not it is Deandre Ayton or Chris Paul making the change, Doncic has been affected person to attract the additional ball strain to get the ball to an open teammate to assault a protection that’s enjoying out of rotation. 

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Whether or not it is Doncic or Brunson, getting by the preliminary on-ball defender from the highest of the important thing has helped the Mavericks to completely benefit from their capturing capabilities with five-out lineups. The low-man has to react and even when occurs for a break up second, it is sufficient to generate a nook 3.  

Utilizing off-ball exercise to create cracks within the Suns’ protection has been a useful tactic from the Mavericks, too. It begins with Doncic drawing a change he desires on the perimeter with a guard setting a ball display screen. 

After the change happens, he collapses the protection and with Ayton because the low-man, he will get the Rudy Gobert remedy giving up a nook 3. All whereas that happens, a cutter from the baseline fills the nook, a 45-cut attracts a tag, and Doncic makes a masterful passing learn. 

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There’s been a spotlight from the Mavericks to create alternatives to assault the center of the ground to power the protection to break down — much like their method towards the Utah Jazz within the earlier collection. Brunson did so usually in Recreation 3 and it uncovered a weak level that turned a focus to assault in Recreation 4.  

The Suns ended up having to select their poison between serving to off shooters and giving up a drive, or leaving the shooter and being liable to giving up 3s. Whereas not as dramatic because the Jazz collection, the ground spacing on isolations on switches has been taken benefit of by Doncic all through video games. 

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With the protection loading up on Doncic closely when he has the ball out on the perimeter, posting him up has develop into a extra prevalent technique. In opposition to smaller defenders, Doncic was in a position to capitalize utilizing his measurement to arrange drop steps since there hasn’t been a defender pre-rotated to be prepared to assist.

One other intriguing wrinkle of half-court offense the Mavericks displayed in Recreation 4 was to make use of their Horns set to attract a change by utilizing a capturing risk because the ball screener. Doing so allowed Brunson to get to a mid-range jumper in isolation.

The Suns will certainly look to get inventive to fight the Mavericks’ offensive changes. Nonetheless, there are nonetheless elementary limitations to having a standard huge making an attempt to protect a five-out offense with Doncic and Brunson. 

Phoenix could have to work all that a lot tougher on protection to disclaim tender switches out on the perimeter since Doncic and Brunson are each artful sufficient guards the place they are going to break down favorable matchups. Trying to power the ball out of their fingers turns into a problem with the spacing the Mavericks have, too. 

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There’s been no reply for Doncic general on this collection from the Suns’ protection. He is averaging 33.0 factors, 9.3 rebounds, and eight.8 assists via 4 video games. When Brunson has even reached the 15-point mark, Dallas has received. Each gamers have a tendency to only want area and a rhythm to function.

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A key to all of it for the Mavericks is function gamers persevering with to make the protection pay for them giving them time to get their shot off. Any protection goes to naturally begin gravitating towards stopping these appears to be like — opening the ground for the highest gamers within the unit to go to work. 

If historical past has something to supply for the Mavericks’ outlook for Recreation 5, they enter the sport being by as one of the environment friendly highway 3-point capturing crew within the playoffs — changing at a 39.7 % clip.

The stakes are excessive for each groups getting into Recreation 5. for the Mavericks, they know successful a sport in Phoenix is a should. Heading again to Dallas with a win would carry numerous momentum to doubtlessly shut it out in Recreation 6.



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Dallas, TX

Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers odds, picks and predictions

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Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers odds, picks and predictions


The Dallas Cowboys (2-2) and Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) meet in the Week 5 Sunday night game. Kickoff from Acrisure Stadium is set for 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Cowboys vs. Steelers odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions..

The Cowboys snapped a 2-game losing streak with a 20-15 win in Week 4 over the New York Giants, pushing on the spread and going under the 45-point total. QB Dak Prescott was efficient, completing 22 of 27 passes for 221 yards and 2 TDs, including 98 yards and 1 score to WR CeeDee Lamb. However, the Dallas run game continues to struggle, averaging just 75.3 yards per game, lowest in the NFL, raising concerns as they move forward.

The Steelers were upset 27-24 by the Colts as 2.5-point road favorites. QB Justin Fields delivered his best performance with 312 passing yards and a TD, along with 55 rushing yards and 2 scores. WR George Pickens had his 1st 100-yard receiving game (7 catches for 113 yards).

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Cowboys at Steelers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated at 1:08 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Cowboys +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Steelers -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Cowboys +2.5 (+100) | Steelers -2.5 (-120)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 44 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Cowboys at Steelers key injuries

Cowboys

  • LB Micah Parsons (ankle) out
  • WR Brandin Cooks (knee) out
  • LB Marist Liufau (quad) questionable
  • CB Caelen Carson (shoulder) questionable
  • CB Trevon Diggs (ankle) questionable

Steelers

  • RB Jaylen Warren (knee) out
  • RB Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) out
  • TE MyCole Pruitt (knee) out
  • LB Alex Highsmith (groin) out
  • QB Russell Wilson (calf) questionable
  • DT Larry Ogunjobi (groin) questionable
  • LB Jeremiah Moon (ankle) questionable

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Cowboys at Steelers picks and predictions

Prediction

Steelers 20, Cowboys 13

Moneyline

PASS.

The Steelers (-145) were humbled last week in Indianapolis. They will take advantage of the prime-time game and beat a very depleted Cowboys team. But I’ll take my wager to the spread.

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Against the spread

BET STEELERS -2.5 (-110).

Pittsburgh’s loss to the Colts featured some promising moments, with 404 yards of offense and 23 first downs. A slow start and a couple of turnovers cost them, but they’re in a good spot for a bounce-back performance.

Meanwhile, Dallas didn’t exactly shine against the Giants. They had 11 penalties and just 293 yards of total offense, including only 80 rushing yards. There defense is now riddled with injuries and will be without Parsons and  Lawrence for this game. I like Pittsburgh to cover here at home.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 44 (-110).

Taking the Under seems like a solid choice. Their last 4 meetings have split the total and recent trends lean toward a defensive battle. The Cowboys offense struggled against a subpar Giants team and now faces a stingy Pittsburgh defense, which allows only 13.3 points per game. Additionally, 5 of the Steelers’ last 6 home games against NFC teams hit the Under, and they’ve stayed Under in 3 of their last 4 overall. This game feels primed for a low-scoring affair.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Dallas Fire-Rescue searching for two people swept into water near Mountain Creek Lake

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Dallas Fire-Rescue searching for two people swept into water near Mountain Creek Lake


Dallas Fire-Rescue crews are searching for two people who were swept into a creek near Mountain Creek Lake.

Jason Evans, DFR spokesperson, said crews were called at about 1:40 p.m. Saturday after a 911 call reported someone was swept into the water near the 4500 block of Mountain Creek Parkway, Evans said.

Evans said reports indicate one person was swept into the creek while a second person jumped into the creek to save them before being swept away themself.

DFR, Dallas police and game wardens are investigating, Evans said.

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Dallas Cowboys 2024 opponent preview: 2 Steelers to keep an eye on

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Dallas Cowboys 2024 opponent preview: 2 Steelers to keep an eye on


Any team that is coached by Mike Tomlin is going to be ready to play on any given Sunday. Such was the case for the 2023 Steelers who finished 10-7 and made it to the playoffs once again. Tomlin has never had a losing season during his tenure in Pittsburgh and the team has built a reputation for being a tough, well-coached football team under his watch.

Fast forward to 2024 and this Steelers team looks vastly different but under Mike Tomlin it will still be a disciplined football team who should be respected.

2023 Record: 10-7

Last Meeting: 11/8/2020 Steelers win, 24-19. Dallas Cowboys lead series 17-16-0

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Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (176-101-2 as a head coach)

Key Additions: QB Justin Fields, QB Russell Wilson, LB Patrick Queen

Key Departures: QB Kenny Pickett, WR Diontae Jackson, WR Allen Robinson II

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Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

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What more can you say about T.J. Watt that hasn’t already been said about the playmaker? Watt may be the most feared pass rusher in the game today and the Cowboys better have a plan for how to stop him on Sunday.

With a rookie left tackle in Tyler Guyton, and Terrence Steele at right tackle who has been known to be shaky at times, figuring out how to limit Watt and his impact will be key to the team’s success.

Watt has the ability to completely change the momentum of a game and if the Cowboys don’t come prepared, he’s going to be a game-wrecker once again. Whether it’s by keeping a running back in or chipping him with a tight end, the Cowboys are going to have to maneuver their offense around where Watt is in order to limit his impact.

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With the shakiness that is the Dallas Cowboys secondary George Pickens has a chance to make a massive impact on Sunday night. The Cowboys are battling injury issues at corner so they will be undermanned even if it is just DaRon Bland who misses the game.

Pickens, a dynamic pass catcher out of Georgia, is rounding into form as one of the games best receivers. Trevon Diggs will travel some, but Mike Zimmer doesn’t ask him to do it all the time, setting up a situation where Pickens can find a favorable matchup against other cornerbacks the Cowboys trot out there.

Last week he went off for over 100 yards receiving. If the Cowboys aren’t careful and don’t have a plan for it, they could see Pickens do something like that once again.



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