Can Mavericks’ Luka Doncic keep defending at a high level during NBA playoffs?

Dallas Morning News Mavericks beat writers Mike Curtis and Brad Townsend participated in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Thursday to answer questions about the first-round playoff series with the Los Angeles Clippers and more.

Here are some highlights, edited for length and clarity:

Was it surprising to see Luka defend at a high level? Do you think that was sustainable for his standards?

Brad: I wasn’t surprised by the effort and intensity. We’ve seen stretches of that this season. I was surprised that it was so sustained, throughout Game 2, which goes to your second question.

I think he sustained it for all of Game 2 because his shot for the most part wasn’t falling and that he realized every possession — on both ends — would be crucial. That’s why you saw him barking at a couple of teammates for rotation breakdowns or fumbled passes. It reminded me of Michael Jordan, honestly, and I thought teammates responded in a positive way. When you bark at teammates for defensive lapses, you’d better make sure you limit your own lapses.

Do I see it as sustainable? I think he still largely has to pick his spots defensively because he has to expend so much energy on offense. If his shot starts falling, as I believe it will, he’ll be able to be more selective on defense, if that makes sense. But you better believe the Clippers will continue to hunt him because that’s their best chance of tiring him and thus affecting his offense.

We know Luka started the season in better shape. After a pretty heavy workload of a season again, do you believe Luka will be able to maintain this level of activity on both sides for the rest of the series, and for the rest of the playoffs (provided we move on)?

Brad: I think Doncic has built his body for the duration of the postseason. There’s no doubt he was worn down by the end of the regular season because his minutes had ramped up and he was playing almost every game. I thought taking the last two games off, followed by a week of no games, allowed him to recoup but that he also showed rust in Game 1 and to some extent Game 2. The good thing about the playoffs is that there are no B2Bs and occasionally there’s two days between games.

I noticed in Game 2 Lively stepped out some to guard Harden on the perimeter. Was that an intentional adjustment?

Brad: He did step out on a couple of switches, which certainly got my attention, a 7-1 guy defending on the perimeter. Having Washington to help in the middle certainly helps, but unless Kleber happens to be in the game at the same time, Lively can’t step out often or it’ll leave Dallas almost stark-naked in the middle.

More from the Reddit AMA

— How critical is a healthy Daniel Gafford to Mavs-Clippers series, potential playoff run?

— Who’s more important to Mavs-Clippers series: Luka Doncic or Kawhi Leonard?