GAME 16: DAL (11-5) @ HOU (11-6) | 137-123 win

[MrGoat]

Big win. Now this team may have to find a way to deal with prosperity. I'm a little nervous what will happen when our unsustainable 3 point shooting of late cools back down

Big props to Rick for putting Luka back in earlier than normal because we needed to stop the bleeding, we likely would have lost if he waited until 6 minutes left in the quarter again

How can you not keep starting THJ for now

[mtrot]

I cannot stress adequately how excited I am to see the Mavs not playing small ball and fielding a team with a trio of undersized guards any more.  May it ever be so!

[SportPsychMav]

This board is dead when we win haha.

[BigDirk41]

I think this game made it more obvious that we can't wait a year or two to make moves. As insane as it sounds, the time is now. Luka is ready to contend now and we need to really be smart at the TDL. We don't need a home run. Just a few quality trades could make all the difference. I'm really excited about this team after today's performance.

[LukTheShadow]

This board is dead when we win haha.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=401127957

This could be one of the reasons today...

[SportPsychMav]

I think this game made it more obvious that we can't wait a year or two to make moves. As insane as it sounds, the time is now. Luka is ready to contend now and we need to really be smart at the TDL. We don't need a home run. Just a few quality trades could make all the difference. I'm really excited about this team after today's performance.

We don't need a trade to disrupt what's going on right now.

Sometimes it's better to ride it out.

[dcon]

I cannot stress adequately how excited I am to see the Mavs not playing small ball and fielding a team with a trio of undersized guards any more.  May it ever be so!

It is amazing to see, for me as well.  I was one of the drum beaters on this during the post-championship years on this board.

Also, it's just surreal to see the Mavs just handle a team like the Rockets.  I mean, we just handled them.  They were not a threat.  Our blazing hot start set the tone, and caused the Rockets to say, "not our game" early, which I think was key.

[SportPsychMav]

Brad Townsend (@townbrad) Tweeted:

https://t.co/UPz11kmjtF https://twitter.com/townbrad/status/1198...79493?s=20

[Jannemann2]

https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status...1682793474

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https://twitter.com/DorothyJGentry/statu...1041872897

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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2019/11/24...inal-recap

https://www.thedreamshake.com/2019/11/24...-mavericks

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https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/game-da...n-137-123/

[ClutchDirk]

Sounds familiar to this site last 3 years...

[Luka_Magic]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E9jmrRdTTE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJHqgH8dNS4

[omahen]

Excellent game! KP is a monster on defense. Luka his usual self on offense, a couple of unnecessary threes a couple of turnovers, but overall great game. THJ has been what we were missing at the season start. I hope he can keep it up.

[ItsGoTime]

23 and 13 might still not what you hope for long-term from a max player, there are signs that he slowly gets better.

If he plays stellar anchor defense like he has been most of the time, 23 and 13 perfect for a max contract.

[Jym]

23 and 13 might still not what you hope for long-term from a max player, there are signs that he slowly gets better.

If he plays stellar anchor defense like he has been most of the time, 23 and 13 perfect for a max contract.

Exactly 
Even 18 and 10 would be perfectly acceptable if he starts playing up to his full defensive potential. He could be the best defensive anchor in the league

[embellisher]

Don't know if too many people are watching or what but it's been f'n impossible to find a stable free stream today. All buffering to hell and back

The one I watched had another program's audio in the background. Very distracting!

[donzingis38]

I think this game made it more obvious that we can't wait a year or two to make moves. As insane as it sounds, the time is now. Luka is ready to contend now and we need to really be smart at the TDL. We don't need a home run. Just a few quality trades could make all the difference. I'm really excited about this team after today's performance.

We don't need a trade to disrupt what's going on right now.

Sometimes it's better to ride it out.

Agreed. There's a reason why they signed most of these guys to 3-4 year contracts. They want to let them grow together instead of having 5-6 new guys every season.

But Powell's play is very concerning. He can't do anything in both ends. I think he misses Barea out there.

[Hypermav]

Unable to watch the Cleveland game or the Houston game real time.  Just watched the Houston game.  Luka did really well as expected but THJ was sizzling (omg) and combine that with Porzingis.  Man, love stomping on Rockets.

[StepBackJay]

THJ is playing out of his mind. It's not just that he's hitting shots...he's also been limiting the silly mistakes. Fewer mental lapses on D, fewer contested 2's out of rhythm. He'll cool off at some point, but hopefully his off games won't be as brutal as they were.

This game also made me hate Westbrook even more. First he shoves Luka in the back, next he blatantly smacks him in the face on a shot attempt. No idea why they didn't review it for a flagrant 1.

THJ is playing great, you have to keep him in the starting lineup for the time being. His confidence is mega high. I still don't know why Powell is a fixture in the starting lineup. He is doing very little.

[ClutchDirk]

This board is dead when we win haha.

Some are unable to grab their pitchforks demanding everyone be traded, coach fired, owner sell the team after beating a good team like Houston...

They'll be back first loss predicting the end of the world...

[iolide]

I was punching the air and fist bumping like a 15 year old watching this game. Luka is an MVP, if not this year; really soon - and not just once. 

This dude is generational. I have no other way to put it in?

KP, it doesn't get stressed enough. He's are defensive anchor. Amazing job he is doing. His offense seems less forced as well and in turn; this is giving him positive results. I honestly feel like he isn't even 100% yet.

The Defense was good in this game. I saw some great flashes in those 4 quarters including Luka's block on Rivers, several defensive sequences from DoeDoe on Harden, and KP manning the paint.

THJ, this guy is playing great ball right now. He is not forcing anything and being trigger happy. There were a couple times where he was bringing up the ball instead of Luka and i told myself: "Dammit, don't pull up Tim". To my amazement, this dude picked up his dribble, looked towards Luka, and reset the offense. Good stuff Thj, keep it up.

We whooped that Rocket ass. Made my Sunday, guys.

Statement win on Sunday. Let's get another statement performance on Tuesday.