MavsBoard

MAVERICKS BLOW OUT LAKERS IN COMEBACK VICTORY
MAVS DOWN 17 IN SECOND QUARTER

Your Dallas Mavericks, with KP and J Rich out injured, laid a rope-a-dope on the visiting Lakers, even if unintentionally, playing a second half that left the opponents trudging off the court wondering what hit them. WOO-HOO!!


GAME STORY

KP was out with a sprained ankle from the previous evening, and Josh Richardson was also on the injured list with a hammy. KCP was newly out for the Lakers, and AD’s minutes restriction was raised to 25 minutes. Rick went with a starting lineup of Luka, Hardaway, DFS, Powell and Maxi. 

The Mavs got out to as much as a five-point lead a couple of times in the first quarter, but the Lakers closed well, with Dallas trailing 23-26 after one. New Laker Ben McLemore torched the home team Mavs with 12 points, and the visitors boasted 6 threes in the quarter. Meanwhile, the Mavs’ jump-shooters were not hitting, and Dallas had only one triple in the entire frame. No Maverick scored more than 4 points, and the team had 5 turnovers. 

The Mavs put up a clinic in the second quarter on how to give away a game. Shoot terribly — check. They were 6-20 from the floor. Turn the ball over — check. Five more giveaways for a loss of six points, and a 7-0 Laker margin in fast-break points. Allow the opponent a red carpet to the rim — check. Lakers had an 18-6 advantage in PIP. Do not adjust to the opponent’s defense — check. The Lakers double-teamed Luka the entire time, and the Mavs consistently failed to make them pay. The offense was creating open looks, but no one could hit the broad side of a barn, and Luka’s teammates continued to stand around gaping while he was repeatedly trapped. The Lakers lead ballooned to 17 at one point, and the Mavs were at a 46-58 disadvantage going into the locker room. 

The Mavericks adjusted with a vengeance in the third on both ends of the floor. Dallas ratcheted up their defense big-time, and the Lakers were held to six made shots in the quarter. The Mavs shooters started feeling it, and five triples helped the cause. The ball and the players were moving, and an astounding 11 of Dallas’ 12 made baskets were assisted. This frame, it was the Mavs who were dominating the lane, for a 14-2 advantage in PIP. The game was knotted at 79-all after thirty-six minutes on the basis of a 33-21 quarter by the Mavs. 

WHAT A FOURTH QUARTER!  The Mavericks put together a 29-14 final frame, fueled by a 12-point period from Dwight Powell, who dunked on the Lakers five times, as the Luka-Powell PNR repeatedly flummoxed the visitors. The Lakers absolutely crumbled, going 0-10 from distance, completing only six shots, and being out-rebounded 6-15. Their late-game execution was a mess, whereas the Mavs looked sharp and crisp, putting together a breathtaking 19-6 run in the last five minutes. The Mavs took the lead for the first time in the second half at 5:41, and never trailed again. For the period, 8 of Dallas’ 11 made baskets were assisted. The Mavericks excellent clutch unit consisted of Luka, Redick, DFS, Maxi, and Powell. RAIN DOWN THE CONFETTI!!!!


STATISTICS

The Lakers put up 8 more shots than the Mavs, and 15 more 3PTAs (!). Maverick point differentials were +8 on points from twos, +3 on points from threes, and +4 on made free throws. The shooting stats tell the story, the Lakers hitting 51% inside the arc, 27% from three, and 79% from the line. Comparable percentages from the Mavs were 52/43/76. Live by the three, die by the three, and the Mavericks were living large, percentage-wise. The home team also unexpectedly dominated the glass with a 51-36 rebounding advantage. OTOH, they did have a dismal 18 turnovers, for a loss of 19 points, and the opponent had an 11-2 margin in fast-break points. Kudos to Carlisle for the halftime adjustments, and to the players for their high-intensity second half. 


PLAYERS

POWELL.  This match included a superb demonstration from Powell, who played 28 minutes in a starting role. He led the team with 25 points on spectacular 11-12 shooting, and also chipped in 9 rebounds. Dwight’s rolls, dives, and cuts made for one easy basket after another, totally embarrassing the Lakers, who were getting dunked on by #7 on consecutive plays. It was a season-high in points for Powell, and a career-high in second-half points with 21. Who saw that coming? WOW!!

DONCIC.  Luka had 18 points, 13 assists and 8 rebounds in a team-high 39 minutes. The Lakers aggressively double-teamed him, leading to his recording 6-15 shooting along with 6 turnovers.  But he attacked in the second half, pick-and-rolling the hapless visitors to death, and passing brilliantly out of those traps. He did get called for his 13th technical foul of the season for erupting in the second quarter. I feared he might get another, as he looked quite frustrated and even flustered with the constant traps, but he maintained his poise going forward. He was a splendid game manager in the clutch, completing or assisting on 12 points in the last five minutes, including a remarkable 34’ shot from the sideline with Schroder’s hand in his face.  Great job, Luka!

DFS. Dorian had an excellent showing, with an amazing 21 points on 8-13 shooting, together with 7 rebounds, some stifling defense, and a team-high +28. In the third quarter, he was called for an over-the-back foul on Drummond, and a slight tug on Andre’s jersey as he came down. Drummond put on a fake-tough show for a couple of minutes, scowling, punching the air alongside Doe-Doe, screaming for Dorian to stay off him, and calling him a son of a bitch. DFS left the play laughing, as the refs assessed double techs on the tussle, lol.

KLEBER. Maxi had a season-high 9 points, 10 boards, and a career-high 5 assists on his return from a back bruise. He was only 3-9 from the floor, but all of his completed shots were treys. He was listed as questionable before the game, and I was really glad he was able to play. I think it’s fair to say that it would have been much harder to make this win happen without him. Accordingly, he was awarded the DPOG belt.  

MENTIONS. It was a nightmare evening for THJ, who was 2-13 and played some pretty sketchy defense. He did have a highlight moment with a 29’ pull up three to tie the game at the end of the third quarter. He put one in the basket in the fourth, but was called for an offensive foul. Not a great night for Brunson, who registered 7/5/3 on 1-7 shooting, but he did have some good defensive plays. Redick played 20 minutes off the bench, had 8 points on 3-4 shooting, was in the clutch unit, and was the only bench player in positive territory at +7. He did have three rather awful turnovers, but I guess we aren’t required to nitpick in a victory of this nature. Willie had 19 minutes, and put up 8 points, providing a lob threat, and playing some energetic defense. Melli rounded out the bench mob with 6 points and 5 boards in 14 minutes. He had some good contributions on both ends of the floor, including a pass to Willie for a lob in the first quarter, and a return-the-favor lob-dunk from Willie in the third. 

LAKERS. Ben McLemore led the visitors in scoring with 20 points, including six threes. He got into foul trouble in the fourth, limiting him to six minutes in the final period. Davis had a better night than he did on Thursday, but was still held to 17 points, completing only five of his 19 shot attempts, and going 0-6 from range. Schroder continued to be a thorn in Dallas’ side with 16 points and 10 assists, although he was limited to 7-18 from the field. Kuzma had 14 points. 


OBSERVATIONS

This game was very much a tale of two halves, with the scoreline reading 46-58 at the interval, and Mavericks seemingly coming out of nowhere to stun the Lakers with an incredible 62-35 second half.

I think the opponent followed the blueprint the league has set for defending the Mavs — double-teaming Luka and daring the others to beat them. The second quarter is a poster-child period for how not to respond to the defensive focus on Doncic. It goes without saying that the other Mavs have to be able to score and hit shots in such a case. In this contest, the home squad seemed to have forgotten the process in the first half, especially in the second quarter. The four other Mavs on the floor CANNOT simply watch Luka struggle against two defenders, standing around with their thumbs up their butts. The guys have to MOVE to create passing angles and outlets for their star, It did not surprise me to see Redick and Powell in the closing unit, as they each add a unique dimension to the offense, and both are good movers. Hopefully, the Mavericks will take note, and play in a winning way henceforth, as they did in the second half. 

Such a fun victory!! I can’t emphasize enough how important this sweep of the mini-series was. The Mavs now move a full game ahead of Portland and are only a game and a half behind the Lakers, with this win giving Dallas the tiebreaker over LA. 

We face Sacramento again on Monday. That team embarrassed us in the last match, and we need to take care of business this time. 

All this without Kris and Josh! Cool beans, MFFLs!

D'Aaron Fox is out, should be a win.  He kills us.

I'm a reformed Powell hater. Luka said it best, "this is a guy you have to have on the team"

On a side note, holy shit our bigs can't catch a pass in the PnR. Even Jeff Van Gundy said something about it. Outside of Powell, who had a career game and stepped up more than he ever has, no one else operated out of the PnR well *Ahem looking at you WCS*

Further, THJ nearly killed us tonight. I don't know what has gotten into him but the last month and a half he's barely looked like a rotation player. His decision making was almost as bad as his shooting. Thank goodness we have JJ Redick. 


One things for certain, this team NEEDS Porzingis. Without him, teams can double Luka at will and make DFS/Maxi/THJ/Powell beat them. Tonight it worked but I can't say for certain it will ever work again. 

This game made me think this team desperately needs a guy that can roll hard and catch a pass inside no matter what. The John Collins rumors make a lot of sense now even if his fit with KP isn't perfect.

*(I cannot guarantee how long before I relapse on my Powell hatred)

Just have watched the 1st quarter. THJ was so bad on defense, it´s comical. If he doesn´t hit 40% of his threes, what´s the point of playing him. 

Btw I decided to have an NBA only twitter account today. Maybe you want to have a look. Tweeted a few things about today´s game so far. https://twitter.com/Velleius_NBA

I typically like to look at game flows and see what worked and didn't and see if there was any shift in strategy.  Hard to do that last night with two starters missing.  Basically, if all four of Luka/Powell/DFS/Maxi were in, we crushed them.  If they weren't all in, we struggled.  The one exception was the last 2:22 of Q2 when Luka/Brunson/WCS/DFS/Maxi went on a 6-0.  That, combined with the run to start the 3rd, really turned the game.

Something I've been tracking lately is how well the Luka/WCS minutes go mainly against subs.  Last night didn't have nearly the positive impact of the prior two games.  The combo probably isn't going to work as well with Melli in for Maxi and THJ/Brunson shooting 3 for 100.

Kudo's to Maxi.  10 boards, 5 assists and good D.  Great attitude and hustle just days after being benched for Powell for the first time.

We don't win this game without the NO trade.  Melli was VERY productive in limited time.  In fact, his Points + Help Value (Asst/Reb/Blk/Stl) per minute were second best on the team.  Redick was huge.  Rewatch all the Powell dunks in the 4th and instead of looking at Powell, watch Redick.  He was key to how well this worked.  

Some will try to pretend Powell is finally back (as of last night).  Don't believe it.  Yes, he really struggled in 21 games in Dec/Jan/Feb.  That changed in his 11 games in March: TS% = .684 (better than his career average), O/D Ratings of 143/111 and his 13 games in April:  TS% is mind blowing .768 and O/D Ratings of 141/107.  Note that D-Rating in April.  The same number for the other bigs are KP (113), Maxi (110) and WCS (112).  Those are all good numbers (D-Rating for the entire season is 112.8), but it isn't just Powell's offense that is "finally back".

Who are you and what have you done with Tim Hardaway.  THJ is the anti-Powell.  April TS% is .488.  O/D Ratings are 97/115

PnR and weak side cutting was the best I have seen this season. That has been my biggest gripe with this offense. 5 out doesn’t mean you just stay out.

One thing jumped off the screen for me in this game - the Mavs played really really hard! They usually seem to be passive for long stretches, but this game seemed the opposite. Not sure who put that firecracker up their butt, but it was fun to watch.

Fun game.   Mavs really played hard.   I thought the turnovers were going to the story of the game...especially when we got down in the second quarter.  Some sloppy Mavs play in the second. 

I loved the offense. There were moments where the ball movement was very good.   Our money play should be the first option Luka getting into the lane.  The second option should be the run man.  And the third option should be an open three if options 1 and 2 are not there.   That is a real hard thing to stop.  Especially when you have Luka.   

I mentioned last game that Dwight and WCS had over 20 points combined.   Most of those points are easy baskets.  Last night they had more.   KP was missing, so you would expect more points.  But it is really good for this offense when they can get 20 plus points of easy baskets.  

I thought Hardaway really struggled and he has been off for a little while.   Lets hope he gets it going again.    I did not miss Richardson at all.    There are few things in this world more enjoyable than seeing Reddick wide open from three.

Before last night nights game DFS was up to 38.5 percent from three for the year.  How great would it be to have him finish over 40%.  Quite a hot streak from him.    He has also been doing his usual hustle plays as well.   

I thought Melli was real solid.   When KP is healthy, there is a crunch for minutes.  And it appears Rick prefers going small with the shooting of Reddick.   Minutes are tight then, but I would like to see some minutes form Melli.   He just makes smart plays.

(04-25-2021, 11:30 AM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]One thing jumped off the screen for me in this game - the Mavs played really really hard! They usually seem to be passive for long stretches, but this game seemed the opposite. Not sure who put that firecracker up their butt, but it was fun to watch.

Followill mentioned in the post game that he thought that their 5 out offense has lead to stagnation and that featuring the pnr helped spark movement and energy

(04-25-2021, 04:37 AM)Thukydides Wrote: [ -> ]Just have watched the 1st quarter. THJ was so bad on defense, it´s comical. If he doesn´t hit 40% of his threes, what´s the point of playing him. 

Btw I decided to have an NBA only twitter account today. Maybe you want to have a look. Tweeted a few things about today´s game so far. https://twitter.com/Velleius_NBA

Thanks, good stuff.

(04-25-2021, 12:36 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]I mentioned last game that Dwight and WCS had over 20 points combined.   Most of those points are easy baskets.  Last night they had more.   KP was missing, so you would expect more points.  But it is really good for this offense when they can get 20 plus points of easy baskets.  

I thought Hardaway really struggled and he has been off for a little while.   Lets hope he gets it going again.    I did not miss Richardson at all.    There are few things in this world more enjoyable than seeing Reddick wide open from three.

The easy baskets in the pick and roll is SO essential to getting the most out of Luka's impact as a player. I will keep banging the drum that Luka needs an elite pick and roll partner and that should be priority number in team building around him.

JR is completely non-essential to this team and honestly not having him is better.

THJ better get things turned around because he is also making himself non-essential. 

I was definitely wrong about JJR, his presence has definitely been a help. It is sad that at 35 how much he is better than the Mavs other wings at many things. I really am leaning toward the Mavs walking away from BOTH THJ and JR because I am not sure the Mavs would do much worse with much lower paid guys.

(04-25-2021, 03:03 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]It is sad that at 35 how much he is better than the Mavs other wings at many things.

In a sense, I agree, but in a different sense, this is JJ Redick we're talking about. Kind of like Jrue Holiday, who we discussed a lot over the summer, Redick has always been vastly underrated by fans (though for completely different reasons than Holiday, obvs). I think he's just a bit more special than people realized.

(04-25-2021, 03:10 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]In a sense, I agree, but in a different sense, this is JJ Redick we're talking about. Kind of like Jrue Holiday, who we discussed a lot over the summer, Redick has always been vastly underrated by fans (though for completely different reasons than Holiday, obvs). I think he's just a bit more special than people realized.

I thought the trade was okay, but have to admit that I think I underrated him myself. I was, of course, familiar with his shooting, but had never really focused on what a multi-skilled, intelligent player he is. I think his example can help our young players, even if he's only a rental.

(04-25-2021, 04:18 PM)mavsluvr Wrote: [ -> ]I thought the trade was okay, but have to admit that I think I underrated him myself. I was, of course, familiar with his shooting, but had never really focused on what a multi-skilled, intelligent player he is. I think his example can help our young players, even if he's only a rental.

I think that one of the key offseason questions that ought to be arising at this point is, since Redick is leaving, who is most like him whom we can obtain in free agency?

(04-25-2021, 06:39 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: [ -> ]I think that one of the key offseason questions that ought to be arising at this point is, since Redick is leaving, who is most like him whom we can obtain in free agency?

This is a good question. Mavs do need a shooter. Duncan Robinson is an RFA and would be difficult to get. Danny Green is a guy I like but he might stay in Philly. Wayne Ellington will be cheap. Norman Powell would be a guy you'd have to pay a lot of money to. I like Alec Burks as an idea. Doug McDermott will be a hot name in this market. Tony Snell has been amazing. Rudy Gay I think is an option but his shooting fluctuates. We saw Ben McLemore will be out there.

The thing with JJR is he is one of the best 3% shooters in NBA history and the Mavs got him for basically nothing which is great. Sure it was a rental but to me that's one of the better uses of 2nd round picks if you can really get an impact player for a stretch run.

Reggie Bullock on the Knicks is another guy.

(04-25-2021, 03:11 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]I'm a reformed Powell hater. Luka said it best, "this is a guy you have to have on the team"

On a side note, holy shit our bigs can't catch a pass in the PnR. Even Jeff Van Gundy said something about it. Outside of Powell, who had a career game and stepped up more than he ever has, no one else operated out of the PnR well *Ahem looking at you WCS*

Further, THJ nearly killed us tonight. I don't know what has gotten into him but the last month and a half he's barely looked like a rotation player. His decision making was almost as bad as his shooting. Thank goodness we have JJ Redick. 


One things for certain, this team NEEDS Porzingis. Without him, teams can double Luka at will and make DFS/Maxi/THJ/Powell beat them. Tonight it worked but I can't say for certain it will ever work again. 

This game made me think this team desperately needs a guy that can roll hard and catch a pass inside no matter what. The John Collins rumors make a lot of sense now even if his fit with KP isn't perfect.

*(I cannot guarantee how long before I relapse on my Powell hatred)

On your observation about the bigs being able to catch passes, agreed. In addition to that, it would be good if someone besides Luka could make an accurate entry pass. Passes in the neighborhood of the big man's knees are virtually a guaranteed turnover.

Redick and Powell were classic examples of how much everyone else just stands around the perimeter and waits for Luka to do something.  Powell is a smart player - sets good screens and then finds a seam to get to the basket.  Redick has been viewed as a shooter, but he used to kill us with his passing when he played for the Clips.  He just flat out knows how to play.  Those are 'Carlisle guys' and Melli falls into that category, too.  Not particularly great at any one thing, but a solid veteran that doesn't make a lot of mistakes.  I suspect we'll see a lot of Redick in the last part of the 4th quarter going forward, especially if THJ and Brunson are struggling.

(04-26-2021, 09:56 AM)Hooper21 Wrote: [ -> ]Redick and Powell were classic examples of how much everyone else just stands around the perimeter and waits for Luka to do something.  Powell is a smart player - sets good screens and then finds a seam to get to the basket.  Redick has been viewed as a shooter, but he used to kill us with his passing when he played for the Clips.  He just flat out knows how to play.  Those are 'Carlisle guys' and Melli falls into that category, too.  Not particularly great at any one thing, but a solid veteran that doesn't make a lot of mistakes.  I suspect we'll see a lot of Redick in the last part of the 4th quarter going forward, especially if THJ and Brunson are struggling.

Nice thoughts.    Yeah, I think both of those guys bring some diversity to the offense.    I like how you include Melli too.  He had a real nice cut that lead to an easy dunk on a WCS pass.   It was such a small move, but I think a lot of our players would have stayed in the corner to take the open three.   They may have made an open three, but that was such a smart instinctive move by Melli to get an easy dunk.   

Both Reddick and Powell are completely different players, but with their unique skill teams need to be aware of both.  The more you give the defense to think about, the better.  Especially when you Luka who will typically make the right play more often than not.