Game 5: Houston Rockets (2-2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (3-1) | 7:30pm CST

[KillerLeft]

I can’t believe how wrong I was at the time of the Kyrie trade.

[BigDirk41]

Klay is a bad man

[KillerLeft]

Luka still playing terribly, but I can’t shake the feeling the Mavs are going to win this game.

Win or lose, PJ and Kyrie deserve flowers for this one.

[Scott41theMavs]

Klay Dandy to the rescue.

[Chicagojk]

I can’t believe how wrong I was at the time of the Kyrie trade.

He has been our best player so far this year.  Really to have him to explode if needed.

[BigDirk41]

Luka acts like a damn child out there

[KillerLeft]

Luka complaining instead of playing might’ve just killed the comeback.

[Chicagojk]

Looks like they will come up short. They fought.

Luka had a big three, followed by a turnover and then three Mavs were best by a rebound by Brooks who got over Luka. Fitting end… it that is the end

[BigDirk41]

The lack of effort to start games is beyond frustrating. Houston isn't a better team, but they absolutely played way harder than the Mavs. Losing on effort is something I can't handle. Effort should always be there.

[Chicagojk]

There will be growing pains. Interesting in out two losses our centers have been non factors. That rarely happened over the second half of last season.

We need to get Luka going. He looks to be moving better late in games. But he is doing with all grit. No explosion right now with movement

[KillerLeft]

Welp, I guess I’m grateful they made it a game late.

Kyrie and PJ played hard tonight.

Luka was insufferable, to the point where I don’t even really give him credit for the late big shots. Who cares, if he’s that bad for the rest of the game?

A rare stinker from Lively and Gafford, reinforcing how important winning the center matchup is for this team.

I thought a couple of Thompson’s shots were forced, but I don’t blame him.

Marshall made some nice plays in the 4th on defense, but I’m ready for him/them to figure out where he fits consistently.

The team needs to understand that they’re a little less athletic than last year and need to give more consistent effort.

They’ll figure this out.

[BigDirk41]

One of my biggest gripes with Kidd is that he never takes a timeout and lights a fire under the team. He just lets them decide when to play hard. Just bench guys when the effort isn't there, no matter who it is.

[ThisIStheYear]

Mavs have been a bottom of the playoffs/ playin team so far. Biggest need in the off season was an offensive coordinator. The offense should challenge all time efficiency records but instead they’re about average. The season will be determined by whether they can become the offensive juggernaut they’re built to be. I don’t know if the staff is up to it. But even with the sputtering offense, they need to get some rebounds.

[KillerLeft]

One of my biggest gripes with Kidd is that he never takes a timeout and lights a fire under the team. He just lets them decide when to play hard. Just bench guys when the effort isn't there, no matter who it is.

This bothers me, too, but to play devil’s advocate, two western conference finals berths in three seasons might indicate that there is method to this madness. To be clear, I’m not confidently claiming correlation there, merely pointing out that it might exist.

[RGP1981]

My Dirkie goes to FVV. He done his best to get the Mavs a win with the triple-single… but 6-vs-4, still fell short. 

[Chicagojk]

Kyrie has been awesome. Sort of scary to see such heavy minutes early in the year from him though.

[KillerLeft]

Mavs have been a bottom of the playoffs/ playin team so far.  Biggest need in the off season was an offensive coordinator. The offense should challenge all time efficiency records but instead they’re about average.  The season will be determined by whether they can become the offensive juggernaut they’re built to be. I don’t know if the staff is up to it. But even with the sputtering offense, they need to get some rebounds.

I don’t disagree with what you are seeing, but I’d like to suggest that it might not be on the coaches. I think the stuff they have installed and have run a little bit is more sophisticated than what they have been running in recent seasons, but It takes cooperation from the guys who control the ball.

The elephant in the room is that Luka has flatly been not great to start this season, and the team is designed for him to be great. Can’t work around that with coaching at this level, really. I think that, in a way, it speaks volumes about the coaches and the roster that they have a winning record.

[Chicagojk]

I don’t disagree with what you are seeing, but I’d like to suggest that it might not be on the coaches. I think the stuff they have installed and have run a little bit is more sophisticated than what they have been running in recent seasons, but It takes cooperation from the guys who control the ball.

The elephant in the room is that Luka has flatly been not great to start this season, and the team is designed for him to be great. Can’t work around that with coaching at this level, really. I think that, in a way, it speaks volumes about the coaches and the roster that they have a winning record.

It feels like Mavs are better when the pace is fast.  In Half court, which is typically our bread and butter, Luka is having trouble creating space and making no good answers for a defense.  So a lot of the success in half court is with Kyrie.  

I could be wrong but it just feels like Luka provide no good answers for defenses in our half court normally.  That hasn’t happened in several games this year.

[BigDirk41]

Naji didn't score much tonight, but I did like how he played. If he could score 10 a game and be efficient from 3, he can be a really good role player. He does a lot well, but nothing great. Very versatile. I like his motor.

[Chicagojk]

Naji didn't score much tonight, but I did like how he played. If he could score 10 a game and be efficient from 3, he can be a really good role player. He does a lot well, but nothing great. Very versatile. I like his motor.

I agree.  Still hasn’t made a three yet. I like him and Grimes when the pace is fast.  I want to see more of them with Kyrie, a big and another shooter.  I think that could be a good group when Luka rests.