Game 22: Memphis Grizzlies (14-7) vs. Dallas Mavericks (13-8) | 7:30pm CST

[KillerLeft]

I know the tournament gets mocked a lot, but they made a tuesday in december matter.    A lot of teams treating tonight like a win or die game...and if possible blowout.  I think it is a success.  Now lets see how they play in the one and done games.

I was thinking the same thing all night. This felt like playoff basketball, and we are only in November. Pretty cool for the fans.

[Mavs2021]

It’s a crazy number.  Don’t feel good about it. But Memphis fouls like crazy. I’m sure the NBA will be happier to have Dallas in the Cup than the other teams so we’ll hear the conspiracy theories tonight.

They (correctly) called so much on Bane and Smart, I felt they retroactively added 10 fouls to Dort for the WCSFs.

[Chicagojk]

You remember when we traded for PJ the general consensus was he was not a good defender.

Man was Nico right on him. Him and Lively were great late on defense and boards.

[Mavs2021]

You remember when we traded for PJ the general consensus was he was not a good defender.

Man was Nico right on him.  Him and Lively were great late on defense and boards.

Buy low from sh*t teams. It´s a shame Reed and Bagley III are bad 3pt shooters, cause they´d be the perfect buy low candidates for the back-up PF position. 

Though at 4-9 Reed has Maxi´s 2-8 from 3pt range well covered. Oh and that´s not their last games, that´s for the season. Can´t even call Maxi a stretch four/five anymore.

[SleepingHero]

Saw the mavs shot an nba record 27 free throws in a quarter and largest difference on free throws in a quarter 27-3

Truthfully given the physicality tonight they could've easily had both teams shoot 50 FTs in each quarter.

[Chicagojk]

Memphis does a great job with scouting and development. I would put OKC and New Orleans at a similar level.

Last night, we didn't even see last years second round pick, GG Jackson, who looks like a potential starting core player eventually. Also, Undrafted from a few years ago Vince Williams. When you add Jaylon Wells (2nd round pick), Scottie Pippen Jr (undrafted and was with the Lakers two way) and Huff (undrafted who has been around the league as a two way and end of bench guy. It is really impressive. Plus, they drafted one of my fav second rounders last year in Cam Spencer who is on a two way.

Mavs play at OKC on Tuesday for the first round. That is going to be a tough out. In addition, now they have a three game stretch of OKC, LAC and LAC. Toughens the schedule a little.

[gomavs]

Incredible game!

1)  Hats off to Memphis.  They are a really good team that could make some noise if they get to the playoffs.

2)  If you are going to set a record with 27 free throws in one quarter, you should at least MAKE THEM!

3)  There seemed to be a lot of slipping going on.  Could it be that the Cup floor is more slippery than the regular floor?

Given all the turnovers, missed free throws, and long 3-point droughts, can you believe we WON?

This game showed character.  With a lot going against us, we played to the end.  Congratulations, Mavs.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Incredible game!

1)  Hats off to Memphis.  They are a really good team that could make some noise if they get to the playoffs.

2)  If you are going to set a record with 27 free throws in one quarter, you should at least MAKE THEM!

3)  There seemed to be a lot of slipping going on.  Could it be that the Cup floor is more slippery than the regular floor?

Given all the turnovers, missed free throws, and long 3-point droughts, can you believe we WON?

This game showed character.  With a lot going against us, we played to the end.  Congratulations, Mavs.

I wondered this about the slipping too.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

“The Cup” is a joke. We would’ve been better off getting the extra rest and easier games.

[Mavs2021]

“The Cup” is a joke. We would’ve been better off getting the extra rest and easier games.

This logic makes no sense. So it would be better, if we finished 1-3 in Cup games instead of 3-1, so we can avoid two potentially tough games? How do we come out of that with a better record. Plus we can hurt the Thunder and Rockets records with wins and we all know in the final, we´d be favoured regardless of the East representative.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

This logic makes no sense. So it would be better, if we finished 1-3 in Cup games instead of 3-1, so we can avoid two potentially tough games? How do we come out of that with a better record. Plus we can hurt the Thunder and Rockets records with wins and we all know in the final, we´d be favoured regardless of the East representative.

I considered leaving the last part off and probably should have. Of course it’s preferable to win the games. Still dislike everything about the Cup. It’s silly. It’s meaningless. Why should I care if someone wins an extra half million? I just don’t get it, never have. Sorry to be grumpy bear about it.

[KillerLeft]

I considered leaving the last part off and probably should have. Of course it’s preferable to win the games. Still dislike everything about the Cup. It’s silly. It’s meaningless. Why should I care if someone wins an extra half million? I just don’t get it, never have. Sorry to be grumpy bear about it.

I had a similar feeling before last year, and was still on the fence a bit this year. But...

1) The players actually seem into it. It's probably just about the time in Vegas and the extra money, which several have brought up, but...

2) The resulting situation is that we, the fans, get to watch something resembling playoff basketball. In November. The teams aren't as sharp as they will be at the end of the season, but it's obvious they're playing just as hard, which was, I think, the league's thinking all along, that this could be a way to address the growing perception that NBA teams don't "try" during the regular season. 

I don't really care who wins this thing, but I don't hate that we're getting to watch better basketball right now.

[michaeltex]

They (correctly) called so much on Bane and Smart, I felt they retroactively added 10 fouls to Dort for the WCSFs.

MEM is the 4th most foul-prone team in the league averaging 21.5 FPG (fouls per game). They lead the league over the last 3 games at 24.3 FPG. Last night they were called for 29 fouls. Personally, as a DAL fan, I could have made the case for several more. I guess their physical, get-inside-your-jersey defensive style is going to result in a lot of fouls.

For reference DAL is 9th in FPG at 20.7 and has even fallen to 14th at 19.7 FPG in the last 3 games. But they were still called for 23 fouls against MEM, so the call discrepancy wasn't so huge. Mostly due to Luka abusing his defender(s) all night.

I think Bane only got his 2nd foul in the 4th quarter, but ended up with 5. I thought Luka was going to foul out Wells at one point, but only ended up with 4. Jackson did foul out and I didn't even realize it.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

I had a similar feeling before last year, and was still on the fence a bit this year. But...

1) The players actually seem into it. It's probably just about the time in Vegas and the extra money, which several have brought up, but...

2) The resulting situation is that we, the fans, get to watch something resembling playoff basketball. In November. The teams aren't as sharp as they will be at the end of the season, but it's obvious they're playing just as hard, which was, I think, the league's thinking all along, that this could be a way to address the growing perception that NBA teams don't "try" during the regular season. 

I don't really care who wins this thing, but I don't hate that we're getting to watch better basketball right now.

A valid perspective. I can’t be convinced winning the cup means anything or by the Jazian Gortman as Tiny Tim narrative. But if it results in better basketball it’s worth it.

[Chicagojk]

MEM is the 4th most foul-prone team in the league averaging 21.5 FPG (fouls per game). They lead the league over the last 3 games at 24.3 FPG. Last night they were called for 29 fouls. Personally, as a DAL fan, I could have made the case for several more. I guess their physical, get-inside-your-jersey defensive style is going to result in a lot of fouls.

For reference DAL is 9th in FPG at 20.7 and has even fallen to 14th at 19.7 FPG in the last 3 games. But they were still called for 23 fouls against MEM, so the call discrepancy wasn't so huge. Mostly due to Luka abusing his defender(s) all night.

I think Bane only got his 2nd foul in the 4th quarter, but ended up with 5. I thought Luka was going to foul out Wells at one point, but only ended up with 4. Jackson did foul out and I didn't even realize it.

I really don't remember too many soft calls against Memphis.   Although, maybe I am not remembering some.    You are always at risk when you get in the penalty early and the other team is super aggressive (and you also make some terrible fouls...hello Marcus Smart).  From looking at the Memphis boards, some are upset on the fouls but several say there were not any really questionable calls.  What they are complaining about is them only shooting 14 free throws.  They seem to think Memphis didn't get the same whistles Dallas was getting late.

[KillerLeft]

...by the Jazian Gortman as Tiny Tim narrative.

lol...so true. Still, THEY (the "Tiny Tims" of the NBA) seem to be taking that money seriously.

[michaeltex]

I really don't remember too many soft calls against Memphis.   Although, maybe I am not remembering some.    You are always at risk when you get in the penalty early and the other team is super aggressive (and you also make some terrible fouls...hello Marcus Smart).  From looking at the Memphis boards, some are upset on the fouls but several say there were not any really questionable calls.  What they are complaining about is them only shooting 14 free throws.  They seem to think Memphis didn't get the same whistles Dallas was getting late.

FWIW, I wasn't trying to defend MEM or make the point the calls were soft or unwarranted. Just pointing out they have an established a top 5 tendency to rack up personal fouls and it's even gotten worse in the last few games.

Wonder if, despite their depth, the key players got tired toward the end and ended up fouling instead of guarding. Whatever happened, I'm glad DAL was the beneficiary.

[Mavs2021]

lol...so true. Still, THEY (the "Tiny Tims" of the NBA) seem to be taking that money seriously.

Well consider that a NBA Cup doubles their annual salary, I´d take that seriously too.

If my job offered me to double my annual salary, if I met a certain goal in seven days and I get 10%, 20% and 50% bonuses for meeting just partial goals, I´d bust my a** as well.

[Chicagojk]

Zach Lowe
@ZachLowe_NBA
Mavs remain absolutely rock-solid. Lively is awesome. Grimes getting spicier off the bounce (steal of a trade w/ DET considering it was a $ dump). Dinwiddie providing a lift. PJW adding variety on both ends (guarding Morant, posting smalls, off-the-bounce juice)

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I was skeptical on PJ's D. Good gawd was I wrong. Dude is probably more versatile than advertised.