05-13-2021, 12:11 AM
MAVS BLOW OUT SHORT-HANDED PELICANS
PORZINGIS RETURNS
The Mavericks took care of business against a star-less New Orleans squad in a good bounce-back game after the debacle against Memphis.
GAME STORY
A raft of players were out for New Orleans — Steven Adams, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson. Redick was absent for Dallas, and has been ruled out for at least the rest of the regular season. KP returned to action on an undisclosed minutes restriction, and Tyrell Terry was inactive but with the team. Rick chose the 28th starting lineup of the season: Luka-THJ-DFS-Powell-KP, with Richardson and Maxi coming off the bench.
The first quarter was close, with the score difference never varying by more than two possessions. The Mavs led 32-30 after one. Porzingis led Dallas with 12 points.
Dallas opened the second with a ridiculous 26-5 run, fueled by some very inspired play from one Luka Doncic. The Pels managed to come back with a few points in the second half of the period, but the Mavericks still had a comfortable 77-58 cushion going into the locker room. Luka had 17 points on perfect shooting in the frame, and the Mavs were 8-12 from distance. The 45 point total was a Mavs season high for points in a quarter, The 77-point halftime score tied the season’s highest score in a half.
By the end of the third, your boys were ahead 111-80. It being a SEGABABA, I was a little surprised to see the starters back in the fourth, but Rick waited until the 5:15 mark to throw the game open to an all-bench lineup.
STATS
The Mavs dominated most aspects of the game.
PLAYERS
DONCIC. After a somewhat sluggish start, Luka was galvanized after what he viewed as an uncalled foul on an attempted buzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter, and turned in a 33-point game with 7 threes, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. If this is what Luka channeling his ref rage into his play looks like, let’s hope he brings it on! After the game, Callie called Luka’s attention to the fact that a lot of parents around Dallas are naming their boys Luka, and Luka seemed appropriately pleased, humbled, and embarrassed.
POWELL. Dwight had 12 points and 8 rebounds in 30 minutes, extending his time on the court to account for Willie’s foul trouble. The rest of the team was looking for Dwight on his cuts and rolls to the baskets, and he had his usual high-energy match. Looking so good rounding into the playoffs.
HARDAWAY. Timmy remained in the starting unit, even with the return of KP and Maxi. He was still hot, serving up 27 points on 10-18 shooting, and playing with max energy throughout the game (even cutting to the basket for a dunk from Luka in the third). Carlisle said that he asked Timmy this morning how he would feel about coming off the bench. Tim said that he would honestly prefer to start, but he would willingly do whatever Rick thought was best. Rick thought this game’s starting lineup was one they needed to take a look at, and the fact that Tim had had a good attitude about stepping back and taking a bench role earlier in the year was a factor in Rick’s being receptive to going the other direction now. I imagine THJ’s sizzling play in this closing stretch of the season was probably another factor, lol.
PORZINGIS. KP made a splash in his first venture back to the court, scoring the first 5 Mavs points on an and-one jumper off the bounce, and two free throws. He poured in 19 points, 50% shooting, scoring from all over the court, and 5 boards in a health-limited outing of 22 minutes. He scored in a variety of ways, posting up, hitting threes, and completing a difficult bank shot from an angle in the second. He also had an exciting half-court steal and slam in the first quarter. It was a mixed bag defensively, as he seemed a little stiff and gave up some points at the basket. He incurred a technical foul at the end of the third when he threw the ball in frustration after being scored on. Rick thought he did a great job in his initial night back, getting off to a great start, easing into a surprisingly good rhythm, exhibiting strong defensive positioning, and providing a presence around the rim. Per the coach, “It’s clear that we need him.”
MENTIONS. Maxi led the bench with 19 minutes, and had 6 boards and 3 assists. Brunson didn’t score much, but chipped in 6 assists. Richardson was relatively invisible in 12 minutes of action. One thing I don’t love is the sight of Josh dribbling for ten or fifteen seconds, often ending in a badly missed shot or a turnover. Would like to see him abandon these point guard pretensions, and either shoot or quickly move the ball on. Willie was active, and had a couple of energetic baskets, but was called for four fouls in 13 minutes of play, which limited his ability to impact the game. The crowd was chanting for Boban at the end of the game, and gave him a warm ovation as he entered the court. What a fan favorite! Altogether, it wasn’t a huge night for the bench. They combined for a mere 25 points, and only 18 from the four main guys. Perhaps that’s a harbinger of things to come as the rotation tightens up for the playoffs.
PELICANS. This was far from the Pels’ A team, and indeed, this loss officially eliminated the franchise from the post-season. Seven Pelicans were in double figures, led by Eric Bledsoe and Jaxson Hayes with 15 apiece.
OBSERVATIONS
Carlisle noted that the team looked much better in this game than the prior one, and is still hopeful that they can avoid the play-in tournament. He added that the lineups should be regarded as one-game-only, and that he has emphasized to the team that the various units remain fluid.
Comparing this game to that of the night before, it is hard to believe the two matches were even played by the same team. In addition to the one-eighty in energy and disposition, one of the best takeaways of the night was that KP had a strong offensive showing, did not show signs of rust, and seemed to be in a jolly and professional mood. Luka and Hardaway both performed their magic with aplomb, making it all look easy, and the starting back court combined for 60 points.
Your Dallas Mavericks face Toronto on Friday. With two games left, one Mavs win or one Lakers loss will avoid the play-in. The Mavs must win one more game than Portland to capture the fifth seed.
Just two more games to hang in there!
PORZINGIS RETURNS
The Mavericks took care of business against a star-less New Orleans squad in a good bounce-back game after the debacle against Memphis.
GAME STORY
A raft of players were out for New Orleans — Steven Adams, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson. Redick was absent for Dallas, and has been ruled out for at least the rest of the regular season. KP returned to action on an undisclosed minutes restriction, and Tyrell Terry was inactive but with the team. Rick chose the 28th starting lineup of the season: Luka-THJ-DFS-Powell-KP, with Richardson and Maxi coming off the bench.
The first quarter was close, with the score difference never varying by more than two possessions. The Mavs led 32-30 after one. Porzingis led Dallas with 12 points.
Dallas opened the second with a ridiculous 26-5 run, fueled by some very inspired play from one Luka Doncic. The Pels managed to come back with a few points in the second half of the period, but the Mavericks still had a comfortable 77-58 cushion going into the locker room. Luka had 17 points on perfect shooting in the frame, and the Mavs were 8-12 from distance. The 45 point total was a Mavs season high for points in a quarter, The 77-point halftime score tied the season’s highest score in a half.
By the end of the third, your boys were ahead 111-80. It being a SEGABABA, I was a little surprised to see the starters back in the fourth, but Rick waited until the 5:15 mark to throw the game open to an all-bench lineup.
STATS
The Mavs dominated most aspects of the game.
PLAYERS
DONCIC. After a somewhat sluggish start, Luka was galvanized after what he viewed as an uncalled foul on an attempted buzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter, and turned in a 33-point game with 7 threes, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. If this is what Luka channeling his ref rage into his play looks like, let’s hope he brings it on! After the game, Callie called Luka’s attention to the fact that a lot of parents around Dallas are naming their boys Luka, and Luka seemed appropriately pleased, humbled, and embarrassed.
POWELL. Dwight had 12 points and 8 rebounds in 30 minutes, extending his time on the court to account for Willie’s foul trouble. The rest of the team was looking for Dwight on his cuts and rolls to the baskets, and he had his usual high-energy match. Looking so good rounding into the playoffs.
HARDAWAY. Timmy remained in the starting unit, even with the return of KP and Maxi. He was still hot, serving up 27 points on 10-18 shooting, and playing with max energy throughout the game (even cutting to the basket for a dunk from Luka in the third). Carlisle said that he asked Timmy this morning how he would feel about coming off the bench. Tim said that he would honestly prefer to start, but he would willingly do whatever Rick thought was best. Rick thought this game’s starting lineup was one they needed to take a look at, and the fact that Tim had had a good attitude about stepping back and taking a bench role earlier in the year was a factor in Rick’s being receptive to going the other direction now. I imagine THJ’s sizzling play in this closing stretch of the season was probably another factor, lol.
PORZINGIS. KP made a splash in his first venture back to the court, scoring the first 5 Mavs points on an and-one jumper off the bounce, and two free throws. He poured in 19 points, 50% shooting, scoring from all over the court, and 5 boards in a health-limited outing of 22 minutes. He scored in a variety of ways, posting up, hitting threes, and completing a difficult bank shot from an angle in the second. He also had an exciting half-court steal and slam in the first quarter. It was a mixed bag defensively, as he seemed a little stiff and gave up some points at the basket. He incurred a technical foul at the end of the third when he threw the ball in frustration after being scored on. Rick thought he did a great job in his initial night back, getting off to a great start, easing into a surprisingly good rhythm, exhibiting strong defensive positioning, and providing a presence around the rim. Per the coach, “It’s clear that we need him.”
MENTIONS. Maxi led the bench with 19 minutes, and had 6 boards and 3 assists. Brunson didn’t score much, but chipped in 6 assists. Richardson was relatively invisible in 12 minutes of action. One thing I don’t love is the sight of Josh dribbling for ten or fifteen seconds, often ending in a badly missed shot or a turnover. Would like to see him abandon these point guard pretensions, and either shoot or quickly move the ball on. Willie was active, and had a couple of energetic baskets, but was called for four fouls in 13 minutes of play, which limited his ability to impact the game. The crowd was chanting for Boban at the end of the game, and gave him a warm ovation as he entered the court. What a fan favorite! Altogether, it wasn’t a huge night for the bench. They combined for a mere 25 points, and only 18 from the four main guys. Perhaps that’s a harbinger of things to come as the rotation tightens up for the playoffs.
PELICANS. This was far from the Pels’ A team, and indeed, this loss officially eliminated the franchise from the post-season. Seven Pelicans were in double figures, led by Eric Bledsoe and Jaxson Hayes with 15 apiece.
OBSERVATIONS
Carlisle noted that the team looked much better in this game than the prior one, and is still hopeful that they can avoid the play-in tournament. He added that the lineups should be regarded as one-game-only, and that he has emphasized to the team that the various units remain fluid.
Comparing this game to that of the night before, it is hard to believe the two matches were even played by the same team. In addition to the one-eighty in energy and disposition, one of the best takeaways of the night was that KP had a strong offensive showing, did not show signs of rust, and seemed to be in a jolly and professional mood. Luka and Hardaway both performed their magic with aplomb, making it all look easy, and the starting back court combined for 60 points.
Your Dallas Mavericks face Toronto on Friday. With two games left, one Mavs win or one Lakers loss will avoid the play-in. The Mavs must win one more game than Portland to capture the fifth seed.
Just two more games to hang in there!