Game 5: Houston Rockets (2-2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (3-1) | 7:30pm CST

[SleepingHero]

This was a dreg of a game man.

The comeback falling flat is all too perfect of an encapsulation of the first 3 quarters of basketball the Mavs played. Mavs basically took 3 quarters off and it took Kyrie+PJ+Naji playing 150% to make up for everyone else.

Luka has something going on. I can understand that he's ice cold offensively (even though his final stats tonight weren't bad at all), but the decision making he had tonight was G-league tier. He missed so many wide open looks to Kyrie, Klay, and PJ because he was chasing the call. His battle against the refs took precedence tonight.

Now was his crusade justified? Sure. This was a poorly officiated game. Waffled between the refs allowing the guys to play football and then you at other times you can't breathe on another player. Got Luka totally off of his rhythm and cadence.

Kyrie was incredible. He basically played a perfect game up until his final shot attempt in the 4th where he got blocked. He had the wide open pass to PJ down low. Seriously no complaints. It hurts to lose this one solely because he spurred the comeback.

Same with PJ. His small ball defense at the 5 totally flummoxed Houston. Then his effort on the boards allowed the Mavs to actually mount a comeback. He was the ONLY player that actually cared to fight Houston on the boards. Gafford and Lively did not really show up.

Naji Marshall is a defensive fiend. I want to see more of the Kyrie/Luka/Klay/Naji/PJ lineup.