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

[SleepingHero]

I'm beginning to think letting DJJ get away was a mistake. We added much needed skill but compromised some athleticism in the process.
We might struggle a little with teams that have athletic wings.

I still have high Hope's for Marshall though.

I don't think DJJ would've made a lick of difference in this game, as the reasons why we lost were mainly an ice cold Luka and zero interior presence. Naji+Grimes+Klay+PJ all held their own against the Rockets perimeter. Rockets shot overall 40% from the field and 21% from 3.

The easiest thing I can point to as the main reason why we lost was the 18(!!!!) offensive rebounds that led to 20 2nd chance points that spelled the difference in a 6 point loss. 

But even moreso, the team overall was outrebounded by 13. Outscored in the paint by 14. And out hustled in fast break points by 5. Finally the officiating was bad this game. Real bad. But like Kidd said, the Mavs kept playing into the officiating instead of rising above it. Not only Luka, but Gafford+Lively, heck even Kyrie at times, all had bad fouls for no reason. 


AND EVEN STILL! I can just chalk this loss up to yet another case of cold shooting by everyone. 10-30 from 3, on largely wide open shots, is not a recipe for success. The team is rusty.

I can't come away from this loss and think "If the Mavs had DJJ this game, they would have won."