Game 43: Dallas Mavericks (23-19) vs. Charlotte Hornets (10-28) | 11:00 am CST

[SleepingHero]

[SleepingHero]

@GrantAfseth
Dallas Mavericks Injury Report vs. Charlotte Hornets:

Quentin Grimes: Out (Back Spasms)
Dereck Lively II: Out (Right Ankle Sprain)
Dwight Powell: Out (Right Hip Strain)
Jaden Hardy: Out (Right Ankle Sprain)
Luka Dončić: Out (Left Calf Strain)
Danté Exum: Out (Right Wrist

[Chicagojk]

So the only question does Josh Green double, triple or quadriple his scoring average in his revenge game?

Brandon Miller is out. Mark Williams has had some really nice games lately and they will need someone to make it tough for Lamelo.

[GATA]

Get Dinwiddie out of the game

[Chicagojk]

Nice Gafford first and also nice minutes from Omax. Maxi made a great pass to Omax when his weird shot got blocked off the backboard . Also stole some minutes with Edwards who made some defensive plays.

Dinwiddie and Kyrie came out shooting. Unfortunately they have not made many yet.

[KillerLeft]

Another good effort from Gafford, who seems to be trending in a positive direction. Love to see it.

[KillerLeft]

Kleber is missing, but at least he’s shooting, and that is 100% a step in the right direction. As soon as he attempted that last shot, Dinwiddie was IMMEDIATELY able to drive for an open layup (because the big had decided to worry about Kleber due to the first attempt, before the offensive rebound).

[KillerLeft]

In fact, perimeter drives have been reaching the paint almost nonstop since Kleber came in to play center. It has resulted in layups and drawing fouls.

Now, Gafford is coming back in so they will go back to the hard roll approach, which is great! But, that ability to spread the floor from the big position absolutely IS something they should be cultivating. It is a gear they will need. We literally just saw it work for about a five minutes stretch.

[KillerLeft]

Gafford is doing a great job of fighting on the offensive glass in this game!

[KillerLeft]

My Lord, I am so grateful I don’t have to root for LaMelo Ball.

[KillerLeft]

Gafford is doing a great job of fighting on the offensive glass in this game!

This is one of the changes Kidd has made from what Carlisle used to do that I like, despite not expecting to like. Carlisle used to follow the trend that was popular at the time with most NBA head coaches, forgoing the offensive glass almost completely to focus on transition  defense. When it became clear that the offensive glass was a priority for the new mavericks, I worried that transition defense would be a problem, but honestly, I enjoy their ability to rebound on that end more than I expected, and for the most part, they are pretty good about making sure the bigs sprint back.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Might want to guard Lamelo

[KillerLeft]

Just pointing this out, and I don’t think this is Gafford’s fault, but when Kleber was in earlier, the spacing made for better, easier driving and passing angles.

To end the half, nobody could get around their defender because there was always support from the paint, due to Gafford being in the dunker spot. This led to some lazy, risky passes against pressure defense. Those passes led to turnovers and losing the lead.

Definitely some sloppiness to blame, to be clear.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

My Lord, I am so grateful I don’t have to root for LaMelo Ball.

Why not, don't like his game?  I must admit, he has fun playing and is crafty as hell.

[KillerLeft]

Love the pick and roll with Gafford. Not a fan of whatever actions those were at the end in which he’s NOT a screener.

Unfortunately, it’s really hard to give him “off possessions” while he’s on the floor, which has to be the thinking when he’s off-ball in the dunker spot for an entire action.

[KillerLeft]

Why not, don't like his game?  I must admit, he has fun playing and is crafty as hell.

No, I really don’t like his game. Things like that switch to the underhand left layup attempt would drive me nuts. But, if I’m being transparent, I am bringing a dislike of his personality, his attitude and his entire family into the equation before I even watch him.

[KillerLeft]

OUTSTANDING, decisive crossover and drive from Dinwiddie.

[KillerLeft]

Nice, Gafford!

[KillerLeft]

Shots like that are why I’ll never be a Lamelo believer.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

No, I really don’t like his game. Things like that switch to the underhand left layup attempt would drive me nuts. But, if I’m being transparent, I am bringing a dislike of his personality, his attitude and his entire family into the equation before I even watch him.

Ok, fair enough. So does that include  Lonzo? His personality isn't flashy, he's solid when healthy and he's had a tough break as far as injuries go.