GAME 4 DIRKIE: KYRIE!

[fifteenth]

Where to start with this one…I haven’t been this impressed with a Mavs regular season victory in a long time. Second night of a back to back against a premier opponent with a chip on their shoulders and the Mavs in their sights all summer. AND, a career first quarter from that team’s star?

Didn’t matter.

Minnesota came out with the intent of playing more physically than the Mavs, causing near scares on both Gafford and Luka (gulp) but both rubbed some dirt on their injuries and came back out. By the end of the game it was the Wolves, not the Mavs, who seemed shell-shocked by the physical nature of this game. That’s a victory in my early season book, regardless of what the score board reads, but it’s nice that the score validated the effort tonight.

Luka had moments, including some big ones in the 4th, and his ability to fight through the injury on a back to back was huge for the guys, I’m sure. Plus, he competed a little harder on defense in the second half, setting the right example. Overall, though, I’m ready for him to have a signature Luka game from start to finish, and hope we won’t have to wait much longer for one of those.

I thought both Dinwiddie and Hardy were pretty forgettable tonight. Not sure what to expect next, but I’m super interested in how that plays out.

Thompson was ok, but I thought the team was noticeably less in control on defense during his time tonight.

Gafford is off to a strong start this season - I love how assertive he is on offense, in particular, but…while he made a good adjustment on his approach to guarding screens involving Edwards about halfway through the first, his soft coverage had already enabled the youngster to get hot. Damage was done. Maybe it was a mistake by the coaches, not sure.

Lively was AMAZING, despite not having a huge impact on the stat sheet. He doesn’t go for pump fakes. He moves his feet. He deflects passes and rebounds. He alters shots. He is developing a pretty nice touch inside. I’m starting to wonder how good he can actually become.

PJ, Marshall and Grimes were ALL difference makers tonight on defense, and that’s probably what won this game. PJ in the first half literally single-handedly kept the Mavs in it, and the combo of Grimes and Marshall in the third is what built the lead that the Mavs were able to nurse home. You could tell Kidd didn’t want to go away from that third quarter lineup, and I don’t blame him a bit. In fact, I’d have milked it even longer, I think, but I totally get feeling like you have to get PJ back in there, and then Thompson, eventually. Side note: super thrilled to see some shots fall for Grimes tonight, and they were big shots.

But, my Dirkie vote has to go to Kyrie Irving. His offense in the third, along with the aforementioned D from Marshall and Grimes, was the difference tonight. Big time stuff, especially on older legs on a back to back. We were wondering last night if he’d even play tonight, and man-o-man am I glad he did!

Nice write-up! That's some killer reporting. 

I'm going with Kyrie too. 

My contribution will be short. The Mavs on a back-to-back wanted to beat a really good team, Luka couldn't shoot (except for the dagger), and the Mavs won by playing with composure and force. Right, Rick? 

Also, nice to see the newbies making progress.