Game 8: New Orleans Pelicans (1-6) vs. Dallas Mavericks (2-5) | 7:30pm CST

[SleepingHero]

[Chicagojk]

Pelicans without Zion, but Mavs without AD and Lively.  Pelicans got their first win last night.   A victory for this Mavs team is far from a guarantee.    Is it strange that Lively has not traveled with the team?   I believe AD and Kyrie are both traveling.  Isn't that strange?

I think we all thought the offense would be challenging to start the year.  I didn't expect it to be this rough though.  For me, defense has been the biggest disappointed.  They have been bad.   Teams can get whatever they want even with a simple action.   That needs to improve.  Teams are getting way too many good looks at the rim.   That needs to be fixed now...regardless who is playing.

[Smitty]

The Mavs desperately need a win... for the sanity of this board.

[Mavs2021]

Unexpected match-up for lowpremacy in the West after the Pelicans late comeback win.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Mavs better bring it and don't look past N.O. This would be highly embarrassing to come up with an "L" to the worst team in the league, along with the Nets, Wizards, and Pacers.

[mvossman]

Mavs better bring it and don't look past N.O.  This would be highly embarrassing to come up with an "L" to the worst team in the league, along with the Nets, Wizards, and Pacers.

Yep.  NO can't tank, so they will be trying.  That draft trade still amazes me.  It is hard to comprehend that level of incompetence.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Yep.  NO can't tank, so they will be trying.  That draft trade still amazes me.  It is hard to comprehend that level of incompetence.

https://x.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1985915019285213593


https://x.com/PelsFilmRoom/status/1985935965785931874



They don't feel that way. N.O. thinks Queen will be a star.

[mvossman]

https://x.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1985915019285213593


https://x.com/PelsFilmRoom/status/1985935965785931874



They don't feel that way. N.O. thinks Queen will be a star.

Even if that ends up being true (long way before we get there) there had to be a cheaper way to get him than spend an unprotected first in a deep draft when you know you are going to be in the lottery.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Even if that ends up being true (long way before we get there) there had to be a cheaper way to get him than spend an unprotected first in a deep draft when you know you are going to be in the lottery.

I totally agree. The Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver tag-team torpedoed Detroit for a few years with their suspect moves and decisions. Langdon and Bickerstaff finally seem they've put the train back on the tracks now.

[Smitty]

The moment we’ve all been waiting for…

@christianpclark
Mavs starters:

D'Angelo Russell
Max Christie
Cooper Flagg
P.J. Washington
Daniel Gafford

Russell gets his first start of the season. Klay Thompson will come off the bench.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Progress. I was boycotting this team as long as they kept playing Flagg at guard.

[Jym]

Inb4 Flagg scores 20+ points

[KillerLeft]

Omg finally! A lineup that makes sense to start a game!!!!

[KillerLeft]

Flagg off a curl, heading downhill with ball on the first possession of the game. I love it.

[KillerLeft]

I think it’s great that PJW has increased his offensive competency this summer, don’t get me wrong…not sure I’ll ever love a PJW face up iso.

[Deebo]

Flagg plays way too soft. I don’t like his game actually. He stands in corner. Not looking good. Yet to score

[Smitty]

I can’t watch atm but 9-0 to start isn’t good. Maybe the espn app is wrong? The starting lineup was supposed to be the problem…

[Deebo]

Omg finally! A lineup that makes sense to start a game!!!!

Lineup can’t score.  We are looking like a really bad team.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I can’t watch atm but 9-0 to start isn’t good. Maybe the espn app is wrong? The starting lineup was supposed to be the problem…

I mean D’Angelo Russell or PJ Washington are probably the #1 offensive option on the team right now. That team is going to suck no matter the lineup.

Flagg got two great looks so far that he missed.

[Deebo]

Flagg doesn’t look good. He plays passive and scared