GAME 44: DAL (24-20) @ POR (20-22) | 119-136 loss

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/...0748909568

[ThisIStheYear]

If the Mavs are going to rest guys during these two games, I’d rest them in the first one.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

I was thinking the same thing. Just rest the entire starting 5. Get a great look at Hardy and Lawson and Wright. Scheduled loss.

[The Jom]

No!!! Beat the Blazers into submission and get Dame to request a trade!

[dirkfansince1998]

Luka desperately needs to work on his FT routine. Looks different every single time. Same for his release.

[dirkfansince1998]

Three consecutive offensive rebounds for the Blazers followed by a floater over McGee who doesn´t even try to step out of the paint. Mavs are borderline unwatchable right now.

[Kammrath]

Team defense is functionally absent.

[cow]

Let's trade Bullock at halftime while his value is at a season high.

[dirkfansince1998]

8/13 from 3. Down 1 because they don´t even try to play defense or rebound.

[KillerLeft]

Team defense is functionally absent.

It's tough out there with so many missing, yeah. 

I didn't start watching until about halfway through the quarter, but in the stretch I saw, it seems like the team is competing and I actually LIKE a lot of the ball movement. It seems like the tempo is up tonight, too. Luka is giving up the ball sooner more often. 

All in all, not terrible, imho.

[dirkfansince1998]

Mavs leading scorers.

Bullock 9
Ntilikina 7

[KillerLeft]

Ntilikina has grown as an offensive player. I'm not sure he has grown enough to refill the "more chances bank" and stay in the league, but he is doing things on offense he couldn't/wouldn't have attempted last season.

[dirkfansince1998]

What has Pinson done to deserve minutes over Hardy???

[dirkfansince1998]

Who would have known. The rookie plays with way more energy than end of the bench vets that are just going through the motions.

[dirkfansince1998]

That´s the kind of play where THJ steps up and draws the charge. SD steps out of the way and reaches in.

[KillerLeft]

They are on pace to hold the Blazers to 142!

[dirkfansince1998]

The kind of game that could cost Luka the MVP. Doesn´t happen as often as it used to but he checked out of it before the game even started.

[KillerLeft]

Can't figure out if I'm happy Bullock's shot is finally falling or pissed off that he chose THIS game to get hot.

[KillerLeft]

Can't figure out if I'm happy Bullock's shot is finally falling or pissed off that he chose THIS game to get hot.

...and now he's even playing DEFENSE again????

WHY NOW??? How about showing up in a game that the team can win, my guy???

[ItsGoTime]

...and now he's even playing DEFENSE again????

WHY NOW??? How about showing up in a game that the team can win, my guy???

He is literally a groundhog. non-existant until a certain day, then he turns it on...