Well, that was more like it.
Great comeback from the Mavs over the defending champs. Looked nothing like the squad that limped through the Knicks game.
Absences. The Raptors were without Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka. Mavs did not hesitate to take advantage.
Players. Several Mavs had standout nights. Comments in order of minutes played.
Maxi (38). Maxi had 10 points and 8 rebounds, but his major contribution was on the defensive end. He drew chief guard duty on Raptors star Pascal Siakam, with a little help from Dodo and Tim. Siakam, who averages 27 ppg, was held to 15 points on 6-24 shooting. PS earned only 3 free throw attempts, featuring the Mavs' ability to defend him without fouling. Pascal turned the ball over 5 times, which is definitely in the mediocre range, at best. Superb defensive work by the man from Würzburg.
Kleber was part of the starting lineup, which a number of fans have been wanting. He justified the coach's trust in him, and Carlisle lauded his "great" game in the postgame presser. At around the 8:24 mark in the third quarter, he received a football handoff from Luka for a highlight reel layup. Great to see a fine player with a breakout game!
KP (36). Excellent response from KP after the Knicks match. He didn't shoot especially well, going 1-7 from beyond the arc and 35% overall, but had a good showing at the FT line (5-6). Even at that, he had 20 points and was the team's leading scorer besides Luka. He had a very strong rebounding game, tying a career high of 15 rebounds, including 5 offensive boards. He was credited with only 1 block, but he altered numerous shots, which changed the game despite not making it into the box score.
Among his highlights included a bank shot from the side halfway through the first quarter. He shut noted Mavs torturer Marc Gasol down mano a mano around 4:50 in the third. The subsequent play featured a KP dunk from an interior bounce pass from Dodo. (Wow!) Early in the fourth, KP dived on the floor to recover the ball, and somehow got the rock to Brunson, who sailed a downcourt pass to Wright for a stunning finish. Shortly thereafter, he blocked a layup from Terence Davis. Later in the frame, Nick Nurse drew a technical foul, and KP was called upon to shoot the T, despite Luka and Seth both being on the court!
Cedric Ceballos admired KP's tenacity on defense and rebounding. Carlisle commended the Latvian for moving and playing within the system on both ends of the court. Hopefully, we are witnessing the growth of a star.
Luka (36). Luka is always phenomenal, and did not disappoint in this game. He didn't have a great shooting night (1-5 3PTA, 4-9 2PTA), but got to the FT line an incredible 19 times (hitting 15) for a team-high 26 points. Lest we think he only contributed by scoring, he also grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds and dished 7 assists. He did turn the ball over 7 times, including an embarrassing stolen inbounds pass late in the game, but we don't need to dwell on that.
Doncic was double- and triple-teamed all night, and did a good job opening up shots for other players. Carlisle graded his night as "terrific." Toward the end of the fourth quarter, he split a double team with a behind the back dribble, eliciting a swoon from bedazzled fans. Always amazing!
Seth (33) (season high). What a night for Seth! He started the game and earned big minutes against the Raps. He was 3-5 from three and 2-2 on 2PTAs, and made both his free throws for a total of 15 points. It was great to see Curry hitting from long range again! He wasn't just a spot-up shooter, though. He played an all-around game, adding 6 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, and a block to the effort. Also took great care of the ball, with only 2 turnovers in long minutes.
Seth played some lovely basketball, with a beautiful stop-and-pop three late in the second. He also had a dramatic offensive rebound and put back off a DFS miss about halfway through the fourth. After he was flattened by Aunoby in the last two minutes, he hit both of his free throws, bringing him to 88% from the line this season.
Jason Terry admired Seth's defense, as well as his shooting. Both Ceballos and Carlisle remarked on how much defensive attention Curry draws, and how much his simple presence on the floor opens up space for his teammates. Rick "loved" Seth's game, praised his defense, appreciated his "timely shotmaking on good looks," and noted his important layup in the stretch. Well done, Seth!
Wright (19). Delon had an excellent shooting night, hitting 6-8 from the field and both free throws to accumulate 15 points off the bench. He also contributed 4 boards and a game-high 3 steals.
Wright's highlight move was probably a nifty back door cut in the first quarter for a score.
Carlisle had high praise for Wright, saying he was "very aggressive," and did "a terrific job" against his former team. Jet was also an admirer, commenting that Wright is a defensive presence on the floor, doesn't try to do too much offensively, knows that he is most effective in the paint, is an elite finisher at the rim, is an offensive rebounder, gets out in transition, can initiate the offense, and likes to "snake around" on the attack. Excellent job from the former Raptor!
Lineups. Carlisle called upon Luka, Seth, Dodo, KP, and Maxi to start. He went back to that group in the meat of the fourth quarter, putting THJ and Wright in for KP and Seth in the last 1:37.
Three-point shooting. In the "needs improvement" category, the Mavs' poor three-point shooting continued unabated. They registered a putrid 9-39 from long range (23%), including Maxi 2-8, KP 1-7, DFS and Luka 1-5, and THJ 0-4. Part of this was attributable to poor shot selection, particularly in the first half. I don't know whether they are being instructed to take shots early, or whether they don't have the patience or confidence to work for a better look. Jet advised the team to take threes from the corners as much as possible, and to cut back on off-the-dribble contested looks.
The Paint. The Mavs played well in the paint, earning 50 points there, and limiting the Raps to 38. Their interior passing was a thing of beauty, and they made life difficult for the Raptors' offense. The Raps tried a zone defense early, and Wright sliced right through it. Other Mavs followed, making forays to the basket whenever they had a chance.
Impressions. The offense looked to be clicking in this contest, giving hope that more time playing together will result in better chemistry. Perhaps even more importantly, the team appeared attentive to defense, and made the Raps work for their points. The Mavs did a good job of defending without fouling, recording only 15 fouls for the entire game. They also took reasonably good care of the ball, with only 12 turnovers, with 7 of those coming from Luka, who is a very high-usage player. Although the Raptors were not at their best, the Mavs can be proud of this win in a very entertaining event.
Next. Pop and the Spurs are coming to Big D on Monday. These are not the titanic Spurs of old, but then neither are the Mavs. Should be a good rivalry match!
Great comeback from the Mavs over the defending champs. Looked nothing like the squad that limped through the Knicks game.
Absences. The Raptors were without Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka. Mavs did not hesitate to take advantage.
Players. Several Mavs had standout nights. Comments in order of minutes played.
Maxi (38). Maxi had 10 points and 8 rebounds, but his major contribution was on the defensive end. He drew chief guard duty on Raptors star Pascal Siakam, with a little help from Dodo and Tim. Siakam, who averages 27 ppg, was held to 15 points on 6-24 shooting. PS earned only 3 free throw attempts, featuring the Mavs' ability to defend him without fouling. Pascal turned the ball over 5 times, which is definitely in the mediocre range, at best. Superb defensive work by the man from Würzburg.
Kleber was part of the starting lineup, which a number of fans have been wanting. He justified the coach's trust in him, and Carlisle lauded his "great" game in the postgame presser. At around the 8:24 mark in the third quarter, he received a football handoff from Luka for a highlight reel layup. Great to see a fine player with a breakout game!
KP (36). Excellent response from KP after the Knicks match. He didn't shoot especially well, going 1-7 from beyond the arc and 35% overall, but had a good showing at the FT line (5-6). Even at that, he had 20 points and was the team's leading scorer besides Luka. He had a very strong rebounding game, tying a career high of 15 rebounds, including 5 offensive boards. He was credited with only 1 block, but he altered numerous shots, which changed the game despite not making it into the box score.
Among his highlights included a bank shot from the side halfway through the first quarter. He shut noted Mavs torturer Marc Gasol down mano a mano around 4:50 in the third. The subsequent play featured a KP dunk from an interior bounce pass from Dodo. (Wow!) Early in the fourth, KP dived on the floor to recover the ball, and somehow got the rock to Brunson, who sailed a downcourt pass to Wright for a stunning finish. Shortly thereafter, he blocked a layup from Terence Davis. Later in the frame, Nick Nurse drew a technical foul, and KP was called upon to shoot the T, despite Luka and Seth both being on the court!
Cedric Ceballos admired KP's tenacity on defense and rebounding. Carlisle commended the Latvian for moving and playing within the system on both ends of the court. Hopefully, we are witnessing the growth of a star.
Luka (36). Luka is always phenomenal, and did not disappoint in this game. He didn't have a great shooting night (1-5 3PTA, 4-9 2PTA), but got to the FT line an incredible 19 times (hitting 15) for a team-high 26 points. Lest we think he only contributed by scoring, he also grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds and dished 7 assists. He did turn the ball over 7 times, including an embarrassing stolen inbounds pass late in the game, but we don't need to dwell on that.
Doncic was double- and triple-teamed all night, and did a good job opening up shots for other players. Carlisle graded his night as "terrific." Toward the end of the fourth quarter, he split a double team with a behind the back dribble, eliciting a swoon from bedazzled fans. Always amazing!
Seth (33) (season high). What a night for Seth! He started the game and earned big minutes against the Raps. He was 3-5 from three and 2-2 on 2PTAs, and made both his free throws for a total of 15 points. It was great to see Curry hitting from long range again! He wasn't just a spot-up shooter, though. He played an all-around game, adding 6 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, and a block to the effort. Also took great care of the ball, with only 2 turnovers in long minutes.
Seth played some lovely basketball, with a beautiful stop-and-pop three late in the second. He also had a dramatic offensive rebound and put back off a DFS miss about halfway through the fourth. After he was flattened by Aunoby in the last two minutes, he hit both of his free throws, bringing him to 88% from the line this season.
Jason Terry admired Seth's defense, as well as his shooting. Both Ceballos and Carlisle remarked on how much defensive attention Curry draws, and how much his simple presence on the floor opens up space for his teammates. Rick "loved" Seth's game, praised his defense, appreciated his "timely shotmaking on good looks," and noted his important layup in the stretch. Well done, Seth!
Wright (19). Delon had an excellent shooting night, hitting 6-8 from the field and both free throws to accumulate 15 points off the bench. He also contributed 4 boards and a game-high 3 steals.
Wright's highlight move was probably a nifty back door cut in the first quarter for a score.
Carlisle had high praise for Wright, saying he was "very aggressive," and did "a terrific job" against his former team. Jet was also an admirer, commenting that Wright is a defensive presence on the floor, doesn't try to do too much offensively, knows that he is most effective in the paint, is an elite finisher at the rim, is an offensive rebounder, gets out in transition, can initiate the offense, and likes to "snake around" on the attack. Excellent job from the former Raptor!
Lineups. Carlisle called upon Luka, Seth, Dodo, KP, and Maxi to start. He went back to that group in the meat of the fourth quarter, putting THJ and Wright in for KP and Seth in the last 1:37.
Three-point shooting. In the "needs improvement" category, the Mavs' poor three-point shooting continued unabated. They registered a putrid 9-39 from long range (23%), including Maxi 2-8, KP 1-7, DFS and Luka 1-5, and THJ 0-4. Part of this was attributable to poor shot selection, particularly in the first half. I don't know whether they are being instructed to take shots early, or whether they don't have the patience or confidence to work for a better look. Jet advised the team to take threes from the corners as much as possible, and to cut back on off-the-dribble contested looks.
The Paint. The Mavs played well in the paint, earning 50 points there, and limiting the Raps to 38. Their interior passing was a thing of beauty, and they made life difficult for the Raptors' offense. The Raps tried a zone defense early, and Wright sliced right through it. Other Mavs followed, making forays to the basket whenever they had a chance.
Impressions. The offense looked to be clicking in this contest, giving hope that more time playing together will result in better chemistry. Perhaps even more importantly, the team appeared attentive to defense, and made the Raps work for their points. The Mavs did a good job of defending without fouling, recording only 15 fouls for the entire game. They also took reasonably good care of the ball, with only 12 turnovers, with 7 of those coming from Luka, who is a very high-usage player. Although the Raptors were not at their best, the Mavs can be proud of this win in a very entertaining event.
Next. Pop and the Spurs are coming to Big D on Monday. These are not the titanic Spurs of old, but then neither are the Mavs. Should be a good rivalry match!