Dallas Mavericks vs LA Clippers: 3 players who could be an X-factor
By Drew Ivery
3. Dorian Finney-Smith
It should be no surprise to anyone that the Mavs’ best defender would be on this list. Dorian Finney-Smith, who is arguably the Mavs third best player, will have the toughest job of all: guarding Kawhi Leonard.
The task won’t necessarily be to stop Leonard, but limit him as much as possible and make him work for everything. Not only will he have the assignment of Leonard, but will also have to match up with Paul George.
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Finney-Smith has been the best defender on the Mavericks since his arrival to the team in 2016-17 and has never shied away from guarding the team’s best player. In Finney-Smith’s first playoff appearance, he will constantly have his hands full and may not see a more difficult tandem to guard in the playoffs than the one he is going to see against the Clippers.
Though the Mavs will also need Finney-Smith’s 3-point shooting as well. Out of seven Mavs players who shoot at least four threes per game, Finney-Smith has the fourth-highest 3-point percentage at 37.6. His 3-point shot has come up big all season long, especially as of late in the bubble.
His defensive prowess and 3-point threat will be key throughout the playoffs.