Preseason Game 3: Dallas Mavericks (0-2) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (2-1)

[Mavs2021]

There is tempo and rhythm to the game. Rewind if you can:

At 4.4 seconds you can see Marshall already set and squared, calling for the ball. DJJ isn't close to Marshall. 

At the same time, Hardy has already missed his chance to score. He's underneath the basket, doubled teamed, and nearly falling over. He is staring right at Marshall. A quick shovel pass now gives Marshall a wide open look.

Hardy for some inexplicable reason takes 2 more dribbles around the hoop toward Marshall. 

Only at 3 seconds left does Hardy make the pass, but when he does so he's now drawn TWO defenders toward Marshall. Marshall now catches the ball with just 2.8 seconds left on the clock with 2 guys closing in on him.

In fact, Mann, the dude guarding Hardy was the one who contested Marshall and contested him well. 


That 1.3 second difference, was the entire difference between Marshall getting a clean look with no contest, vs. a contested look with a dwindling shotclock. Add in the inane choice to bring 2 defenders toward Marshall and over dribbling the ball.

Might seem small but the difference is massive.

Yeah it´s also a massive difference to gather himself while dribbling around two guys while flirting with the baseline and then delivering a one-handed pass. If he had thrown it off balance and missed Marshall you would have complained, too. There was a single late semi-contest on Marshall´s shot. That was a very makeable shot. This is ridiculous.