Game 56 Dirkie Thread: Luka by a long neck.

[SleepingHero]

This was a pretty interesting game. I don't think the Mavs played particularly well. It was obvious they were a bit sluggish coming out of the ASB. Luka said it himself that the 1st game back from the ASB is the hardest, and they didn't have a particularly easy opponent. Like everyone said though, they came out and did exactly what they are supposed to do. This was a huge game for end of season standings should the Mavs continue to play well. Holding the tie breaker over the Suns could be the difference between the 6th seed or play in. Elated to say they walked away with a win.

Luka once again had a bonkers game. I am running out of adjectives to describe his greatness. I'm not trying to take his 41/9/11 for granted. He flat out put on a show. If I'm going to nitpick, some of his shot selection tonight could've been way better. He fell in love with the 3 at times and I felt he was a bit hesitant going to the rim. These are incredibly stupid nitpicks, but the Dirkie is a ruthless award and even the tiniest things could disqualify a performance. Of course we do not win this game without Luka and he took over the 3rd quarter. Mavs opened up the 2nd half with 5 out of 6 from 3, with Luka hitting 3 of his own and assisting on the other two. That put the Mavs foot on the Suns neck and they never looked back. What a great game from Luka, but I have to go with someone else for Dirkie tonight.

THE WARDEN STRIKES AGAIN! Kevin Durant, welcome to jail, cellblock P! The refs did not let PJ breathe on Durant in the 1st half. A couple of phantom calls and PJ was in foul trouble early. He adjusted incredibly well and made every single shot a hard look for Durant. KD hit a couple of tough shots, but that's what he does. KD at the end of the 1st half had 12 points on 5/11 from the field. His 2nd half was 11 points, 4/11 from the field. Not a huge difference, but KD was largely neutralized for the majority of the 3rd quarter. PJ also hit a great pull up 3 in transition in the 1st half and another spot up 3 in the 3rd. He had some nifty drives and was just more aggressive on offense than we've seen since he arrived. He's certainly getting more comfortable, but his defense has been a huge difference maker.

Speaking of defense, Maxi was huge tonight. His switchability on the perimeter is the biggest trump card our bench has. Not many teams can say they have a guy that can defend a center AND stop a guard. Maxi can do it. He also stepped up and hit a big 3 for momentum in the 4th and found a way to carve out space for some easy layups when PHX doubled (*we're going to choose to forget his missed one right underneath the basket). I've probably been a broken record but he's been probably our biggest non Luka/Kyrie guy during this win streak. Wrap him in bubble wrap please!!!!!!!!!!!

Overall, I have to give my Dirkie to Kyrie. Not only did he hit us with some razzle dazzle highlights, he brought the energy the Mavs desperately needed at the end of the 1st. He scored 8 quick points in 30 seconds and led a 13-4 run in 2 mins to close the 1st quarter out. He continued his hot shooting throughout the game, hitting 61% from the field. He drew charges. He defended well. He was a huge difference maker tonight. Kyrie gets my Dirkie even though I could probably give it to any one of the other guys above and it still feel right.

GREAT game from the Mavs! I hope they carry this same mindset into their grueling upcoming road trip.

Some other thoughts:

Only 16 mins for Lively tonight. It felt like the team missed him at times. I'm going to assume that he was on a minute restriction? I can understand the Mavs wanting to go small at times with Maxi on KD and playing 5 out. It worked. But Lively's presence was felt and I missed him!

Gafford had his first "regular" game for the Mavs. Only 4 points and 5 rebounds in 17 minutes of action. The Suns made it a point to take away any lob this game. He had a GREAT run in the 3rd quarter though. He had 1 nasty block on Booker that I felt provided the Mavs with some "F You" energy. He nearly had a highlight decimation a couple minutes later that was ruled a foul. I still liked what I saw from him and it makes me happy knowing the Mavs can run out 48 minutes of center play. The Suns did hunt him a bit in the 2nd quarter off of switches. It's hard to stop KD and Booker, and I thought Gaff did as best as he could have.

I really want to talk about THJ. Man I felt like he had such a good game today. Ever since the trade, his new role seems to mesh SO well here. Less THJ is more! His gravity makes teams have to respect him as if he gets in a groove, you're looking at an easy 30 points. He hit some tough shots, but that's what he does. His three isn't falling for what seems like the last month, but he didn't take a shot that I thought was forced. His defense wasn't great, but it never has been. I can get behind THJ in this specialized role off the bench. GREAT game from THJ!!