05-16-2021, 10:53 PM
MAVS GO OUT WITH A WHIMPER
BUT FINISH SEASON FIFTH IN WEST
Despite playing their main guys, the Mavericks were blown out by one of the league’s bottom-feeders. Fortunately, it didn't matter much in the grand scheme.
GAME STORY
In the last regular-season game of the season, the Pups had nothing to play for, and the Mavs were contesting for the fifth or sixth seed. Rick went with the latest starting lineup — Luka, THJ, DFS, KP, Powell.
Before the game, Rick Carlisle announced that his team’s goal in this game was to play their best basketball and play the right way.
Welp.
The Mavericks got out to a poor start. They found themselves trailing double digits seven minutes in, and were down 22-38 after one. Dallas’ high scorer in the first quarter was Brunson with 5 points. The visiting Mavs were 0-7 from distance, while the Wolves went 6-12. The Mavs were also out-rebounded 7-15, and suffered a 2-9 disadvantage in second-chance points.
The deficit grew to as much as 23 in the second. The Mavs’ three-point shooting picked up later in the quarter, but the defense was still sadly lacking. The Mavericks were able to get back to break-even for the period, and went into halftime trailing 60-76. Yep. Gave up 76 points in the half to Minny. SMH.
The Mavs were hot from three in the third (6-9), but suffered a 4-20 deficit in PIP, due to their lack of resistance as the Wolves danced to the basket. The scoreline was 95-113 going into the fourth. Powell was called for four fouls in the period. Luka and KP combined for 24 of Dallas’ 35 points. The highlight of the frame was probably a half-court heave by Brunson to beat the buzzer.
The final frame did not go any better. Carlisle emptied his bench in the last 5 minutes.
NOTABLE ITEMS
STATS. I don’t think anyone is too interested in a deep analysis of this insipid showing. Chalk this loss up to opponent inside scoring, with the Wolves earning a 62-38 advantage in PIP. For whatever reason, the Mavericks elected not to defend.
PLAYERS. Despite the blowout, a number of the Mavericks had good offensive stats. Seven Mavs were in double figures — KP and Luka with 18 points each; DFS, THJ, and Brunson with 15 apiece; and, Richardson and Melli chipping in 11 and 10 respectively. Powell oddly led the team with 8 assists, as well as a team-high 7 boards. Six Wolves had 10+ points, led by rookie Anthony Edwards with 30.
OBSERVATIONS
One could speculate on various reasons for the no-show in this game. I am going to choose that this was part of a pattern of the Mavericks young team in insisting on doing the minimum they feel they can against teams with poor records, and underestimating the least effort required. If that theory is true, then we have a very good chance of seeing a different team in the playoffs.
With this loss and victories by the Blazers and Lakers, the three teams ended up in a three-way tie, and the Mavs had the division-leader tiebreaker, slotting your boys in at the fifth seed. Due to the Clippers loss to OKC, the Nuggets took third and the Clippers slipped to fourth. So, we’re looking ahead to a Mavs-Clips re-match in the first round.
As things turned out, the lackluster effort did not cost the team — due to events elsewhere around the league, they still captured the fifth seed, an improvement on last season’s seventh. Some fans may wish they had slipped to sixth so as to face the Nuggets instead of the Clippers, but both teams promised to be formidable opponents, and the Dallas-LAC matchup should be a feisty and entertaining competition. I'm looking forward to it!
Our boys will get a few days of rest, having avoided the play-in tournament, and will hopefully come out refreshed and raring to go to face Playoff P and the boys.
GO MAVS!!
BUT FINISH SEASON FIFTH IN WEST
Despite playing their main guys, the Mavericks were blown out by one of the league’s bottom-feeders. Fortunately, it didn't matter much in the grand scheme.
GAME STORY
In the last regular-season game of the season, the Pups had nothing to play for, and the Mavs were contesting for the fifth or sixth seed. Rick went with the latest starting lineup — Luka, THJ, DFS, KP, Powell.
Before the game, Rick Carlisle announced that his team’s goal in this game was to play their best basketball and play the right way.
Welp.
The Mavericks got out to a poor start. They found themselves trailing double digits seven minutes in, and were down 22-38 after one. Dallas’ high scorer in the first quarter was Brunson with 5 points. The visiting Mavs were 0-7 from distance, while the Wolves went 6-12. The Mavs were also out-rebounded 7-15, and suffered a 2-9 disadvantage in second-chance points.
The deficit grew to as much as 23 in the second. The Mavs’ three-point shooting picked up later in the quarter, but the defense was still sadly lacking. The Mavericks were able to get back to break-even for the period, and went into halftime trailing 60-76. Yep. Gave up 76 points in the half to Minny. SMH.
The Mavs were hot from three in the third (6-9), but suffered a 4-20 deficit in PIP, due to their lack of resistance as the Wolves danced to the basket. The scoreline was 95-113 going into the fourth. Powell was called for four fouls in the period. Luka and KP combined for 24 of Dallas’ 35 points. The highlight of the frame was probably a half-court heave by Brunson to beat the buzzer.
The final frame did not go any better. Carlisle emptied his bench in the last 5 minutes.
NOTABLE ITEMS
STATS. I don’t think anyone is too interested in a deep analysis of this insipid showing. Chalk this loss up to opponent inside scoring, with the Wolves earning a 62-38 advantage in PIP. For whatever reason, the Mavericks elected not to defend.
PLAYERS. Despite the blowout, a number of the Mavericks had good offensive stats. Seven Mavs were in double figures — KP and Luka with 18 points each; DFS, THJ, and Brunson with 15 apiece; and, Richardson and Melli chipping in 11 and 10 respectively. Powell oddly led the team with 8 assists, as well as a team-high 7 boards. Six Wolves had 10+ points, led by rookie Anthony Edwards with 30.
OBSERVATIONS
One could speculate on various reasons for the no-show in this game. I am going to choose that this was part of a pattern of the Mavericks young team in insisting on doing the minimum they feel they can against teams with poor records, and underestimating the least effort required. If that theory is true, then we have a very good chance of seeing a different team in the playoffs.
With this loss and victories by the Blazers and Lakers, the three teams ended up in a three-way tie, and the Mavs had the division-leader tiebreaker, slotting your boys in at the fifth seed. Due to the Clippers loss to OKC, the Nuggets took third and the Clippers slipped to fourth. So, we’re looking ahead to a Mavs-Clips re-match in the first round.
As things turned out, the lackluster effort did not cost the team — due to events elsewhere around the league, they still captured the fifth seed, an improvement on last season’s seventh. Some fans may wish they had slipped to sixth so as to face the Nuggets instead of the Clippers, but both teams promised to be formidable opponents, and the Dallas-LAC matchup should be a feisty and entertaining competition. I'm looking forward to it!
Our boys will get a few days of rest, having avoided the play-in tournament, and will hopefully come out refreshed and raring to go to face Playoff P and the boys.
GO MAVS!!