Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: April 2 vs Dallas Mavericks

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Mar 29, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel (3) blocks a shot by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Major Key For Dallas: Slow Down The Pace

The winner on Sunday afternoon will probably be the team who can command the pace of the game. Although both of these teams play slow this season, the Bucks certainly are better equipped for a high-scoring game than Dallas.

The Mavericks best offensive weapon is Harrison Barnes. Barnes has quietly been good this season, but he’s no Giannis Antetokounmpo or Khris Middleton. With the weapons Milwaukee has, the Bucks should want to speed things up.

Slow games tend to favor the worse team. Less possessions means more room for variance, and less touches for the best players on both sides. Playing slow thus makes sense for Dallas–lots of teams have better first options on offense than Harrison Barnes, no disrespect to him intended.

If the Mavericks can get their half-court defense set and not allow Giannis and company to run wild on fast breaks, this game will be a slog. Nerlens Noel is a more-than-capable rim protector, and he and the smart Mavs will make life difficult for the Bucks on defense if Milwaukee has to score against an in-place Dallas team.

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