The way you do this now, makes you feel the added play in every part between wheel and pinion/Crown wheel.
That means: Play in the splines between wheelside CV joint and halfshaft, play in the CV joint itself, play in the splines of the halfshaft to the diff side CV joint, play in the diff side CV joint itself and finally the play between pinion and crown.
In my experience most of the play is found in the CV joints and splines of the halfshafts.
If this much play was found ONLY in the diff (backlash), it would be a very noisy one.
Especially idiot starts from standing, cause splines and CV joints to become "loose"
And extra wear of course in the differential bearings/pinion/crown.
A Maserati owner does not need that behaviour though, so we do not have to fear any of this.....