03-02-2021, 04:28 AM
OFFENSE HUMS IN ORLANDO
Your Dallas Mavericks played a crisp team game and put the Magic away, holding off a late Orlando rally.
NOTABLE ITEMS
GAME FLOW. The Magic had four players on the injured list -- Anthony, Fultz, Gordon, and Isaac. The Mavericks were at full strength to start the game.
The Mavs got off to a slow start and found themselves trailing for most of the last four minutes of the first quarter. Orlando led 33-29 after one. Luka kept the Mavs in it with 10 points in the beginning twelve minutes. Dallas was back in the lead at the 8:25 mark in the second period, and never trailed again. The visitors were up 61-58 at halftime.
About halfway through the third, our boys caught fire, with their star duo LD-KP combining for 19 of the team’s 34-point frame. They built a 13-point advantage during the quarter and led 95-86 after three. They maintained a double-digit lead for most of the fourth and were up by 18 points in the last five minutes. The Magic mounted a comeback attempt, closing the game on a 22-10 run, but the Mavericks held on for the win.
NUMBERS. Both teams had proficient offenses, shooting well (52%, 49%) and recording only 8 turnovers each. Orlando’s defense mostly consisted of fouling, and Dallas had a 23-14 advantage in free-throw attempts. The Magic stayed in the game with their hot three-point shooting (20-41, 49%). The Mavs had a balanced game, with six players in double figures.
DONCIC. The birthday boy turned 22 over the weekend and celebrated with a near triple-double (33/10/9). He hit five of his 10 three-point attempts and also feasted in the paint. He even lost a shoe at one point and did not let it faze him. Luka said after the game that he is still working on his leadership skills, and by all accounts, his efforts are paying off. Yet another outstanding night.
BRUNSON. Jalen dazzled in a bench-scoring role, putting up 24 points on 9-13 shooting to go with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Rick commented on how far the young point guard has come since his introduction to the league, making adjustments to his body and his game to adapt to the NBA. Coach said that Brunson is not only an effective scorer, but has become a solid defender, growing stronger and quicker over the seasons. Rick complimented Donnie for performing at his “phenomenal best” in the Luka-Brunson draft. I think we can second that. Devin Harris observed that JB has made great strides in mixing up his pace and in reading game situations. Great to see the young Mav making such progress!
PORZINGIS. It was a tale of two halves for KP, who was 1-9 from the floor with only two points in the first half. He sprang to life in the second half and ended up with a 17 and 10 night. In a highlight-reel moment, he stunned the Magic with a dash from nowhere for a ferocious put back flush in the third quarter. Rick complimented #6 on his “great floor game” and “big presence around the basket,” and commended Kristaps for the work he has been doing off the court.
KLEBER. Maxi had 13 points and 6 rebounds and won the DPOG award. The coach commented on the key defensive role the man from Wurzburg played, doing a “solid job” on Vucevic, and making some good help plays. Rick went on to observe that Maxi is a very valuable player in Rick’s system.
BENCH MENTIONS. The reserves were key in this win, scoring 50 points in the effort. Carlisle particularly singled out Powell and Burke, saying that looked ready to play and brought much-needed energy at the end of the road trip. Both made an impact in limited court time. Powell had 8 points and took a turn on Vucevic. The Orlando venue seemed to bring back Bubble Burke, with Trey scoring 11 points in 10 minutes, including an exciting 7-point burst in a one-minute stretch in the second quarter. WCS had to leave the game early with a sprained thumb.
MAGIC. The opponents were no pushovers in this contest, despite missing some of their key players. Vucevic put his defenders through their paces, putting up 29 points, 15 boards, and 8 assists. Fournier also had a good night, torching the Mavs for 26 points, including five threes. Carter-Williams and Terence Ross had 18 apiece, with MCW hitting 8-13 from the field. Although their offense was prolific, they offered little resistance on the defensive end.
OBSERVATIONS
Carlisle “loved” the game, especially admiring his team’s “wonderful” ball movement. This was a Rick Carlisle type of contest, with the ball popping, the scoring balanced, and the team exerting good energy on the glass.
The coach was asked to comment on how the team has improved to such an extent at this point in the season. He acknowledged that it is much easier to cope without having to deal directly with COVID. More generally, he admitted that the squad was not in very good condition entering the season, which affected their ability to play well. He said that his players still have work to do, but they have been playing “an excellent brand of basketball,” and he sees “good signs.” Encouraging developments!
This win, their eighth in the last ten, put the Mavs over .500 for the first time since January. If they can defeat OKC on Wednesday, they will enter the All-Star Break with momentum on their side. The coach called the upcoming Thunder match “a trap game at all levels,” so hopefully the Mavs will bring the appropriate energy and focus.
Good times, Mavs fans!
Your Dallas Mavericks played a crisp team game and put the Magic away, holding off a late Orlando rally.
NOTABLE ITEMS
GAME FLOW. The Magic had four players on the injured list -- Anthony, Fultz, Gordon, and Isaac. The Mavericks were at full strength to start the game.
The Mavs got off to a slow start and found themselves trailing for most of the last four minutes of the first quarter. Orlando led 33-29 after one. Luka kept the Mavs in it with 10 points in the beginning twelve minutes. Dallas was back in the lead at the 8:25 mark in the second period, and never trailed again. The visitors were up 61-58 at halftime.
About halfway through the third, our boys caught fire, with their star duo LD-KP combining for 19 of the team’s 34-point frame. They built a 13-point advantage during the quarter and led 95-86 after three. They maintained a double-digit lead for most of the fourth and were up by 18 points in the last five minutes. The Magic mounted a comeback attempt, closing the game on a 22-10 run, but the Mavericks held on for the win.
NUMBERS. Both teams had proficient offenses, shooting well (52%, 49%) and recording only 8 turnovers each. Orlando’s defense mostly consisted of fouling, and Dallas had a 23-14 advantage in free-throw attempts. The Magic stayed in the game with their hot three-point shooting (20-41, 49%). The Mavs had a balanced game, with six players in double figures.
DONCIC. The birthday boy turned 22 over the weekend and celebrated with a near triple-double (33/10/9). He hit five of his 10 three-point attempts and also feasted in the paint. He even lost a shoe at one point and did not let it faze him. Luka said after the game that he is still working on his leadership skills, and by all accounts, his efforts are paying off. Yet another outstanding night.
BRUNSON. Jalen dazzled in a bench-scoring role, putting up 24 points on 9-13 shooting to go with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Rick commented on how far the young point guard has come since his introduction to the league, making adjustments to his body and his game to adapt to the NBA. Coach said that Brunson is not only an effective scorer, but has become a solid defender, growing stronger and quicker over the seasons. Rick complimented Donnie for performing at his “phenomenal best” in the Luka-Brunson draft. I think we can second that. Devin Harris observed that JB has made great strides in mixing up his pace and in reading game situations. Great to see the young Mav making such progress!
PORZINGIS. It was a tale of two halves for KP, who was 1-9 from the floor with only two points in the first half. He sprang to life in the second half and ended up with a 17 and 10 night. In a highlight-reel moment, he stunned the Magic with a dash from nowhere for a ferocious put back flush in the third quarter. Rick complimented #6 on his “great floor game” and “big presence around the basket,” and commended Kristaps for the work he has been doing off the court.
KLEBER. Maxi had 13 points and 6 rebounds and won the DPOG award. The coach commented on the key defensive role the man from Wurzburg played, doing a “solid job” on Vucevic, and making some good help plays. Rick went on to observe that Maxi is a very valuable player in Rick’s system.
BENCH MENTIONS. The reserves were key in this win, scoring 50 points in the effort. Carlisle particularly singled out Powell and Burke, saying that looked ready to play and brought much-needed energy at the end of the road trip. Both made an impact in limited court time. Powell had 8 points and took a turn on Vucevic. The Orlando venue seemed to bring back Bubble Burke, with Trey scoring 11 points in 10 minutes, including an exciting 7-point burst in a one-minute stretch in the second quarter. WCS had to leave the game early with a sprained thumb.
MAGIC. The opponents were no pushovers in this contest, despite missing some of their key players. Vucevic put his defenders through their paces, putting up 29 points, 15 boards, and 8 assists. Fournier also had a good night, torching the Mavs for 26 points, including five threes. Carter-Williams and Terence Ross had 18 apiece, with MCW hitting 8-13 from the field. Although their offense was prolific, they offered little resistance on the defensive end.
OBSERVATIONS
Carlisle “loved” the game, especially admiring his team’s “wonderful” ball movement. This was a Rick Carlisle type of contest, with the ball popping, the scoring balanced, and the team exerting good energy on the glass.
The coach was asked to comment on how the team has improved to such an extent at this point in the season. He acknowledged that it is much easier to cope without having to deal directly with COVID. More generally, he admitted that the squad was not in very good condition entering the season, which affected their ability to play well. He said that his players still have work to do, but they have been playing “an excellent brand of basketball,” and he sees “good signs.” Encouraging developments!
This win, their eighth in the last ten, put the Mavs over .500 for the first time since January. If they can defeat OKC on Wednesday, they will enter the All-Star Break with momentum on their side. The coach called the upcoming Thunder match “a trap game at all levels,” so hopefully the Mavs will bring the appropriate energy and focus.
Good times, Mavs fans!