After splitting time over the past few weeks, Jason Kidd appears to have settled on the favorite center.
Derek Lively has emerged as the player receiving the most playing time at the big man position in the Mavericks rotation, despite coming off the bench.
Lively had a big game in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, helping Dallas pull out the win, which bodes well for his chances of performing well on Friday night.
The 20-year-old had 11 points and 13 rebounds in a playoff-high 30 minutes on Wednesday.
Most importantly, the Mavericks, who were down by seven points, outscored the Celtics by six points when Lively was on the court.
Aside from Kyrie Irving, who scored 35 points, Lively was one of the few things that went well for Dallas in Game 3.
Lively’s position opponent, Daniel Gafford, was minus-11 in 16 minutes in Game 3, much to Kidd’s displeasure.
Had Lively not gotten into foul trouble on Friday, he would have far surpassed his record total of 16.5 points + rebounds (-113, FanDuel Sportsbook), which is still priced to share playing time with Gafford.
In nine games in which Lively played 24 or more minutes in the playoffs this season, he recorded 16.5 points and rebounds eight times.
The Celtics will also likely be without Kristaps Porzingis, the only player who can match Lively’s size, who suffered a “rare” leg injury in Game 2.
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With Porzingis out, Lively has spent most of his time going up against Jayson Tatum and Al Horford, two players who are no match for his combination of size and athleticism.
Game 4 will see plenty of opportunities for rebounds and lob shots from Luka Doncic.
Play: Derek Lively over 16.5 points + rebounds (FanDuel Sportsbook, -113)
