Game 40: New Orleans Pelicans (23-16) vs. Dallas Mavericks (23-16)

[Chicagojk]

Almost felt like you saw Green’s confidence nose dive after that missed layup and hasn’t done anything since. We will need him. Hopefully he find a way to push through.

Right now Pelicans better team. Ball movement much better for them. Will be a big win if we can get it close at half though.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I’d probably try Holmes tonight.

Or Lawson. Needed some energy

[dirkfansince1998]

Almost felt like you saw Green’s confidence nose dive after that missed layup and hasn’t done anything since.  We will need him.  Hopefully he find a way to push through.

Right now Pelicans better team. Ball movement much better for them.  Will be a big win if we can get it close at half though.

Drive and kick for an open Kyrie 3. Good start.

[The Jom]

That's a shooting foul. Mavs getting a favorable whistle so far.

Wait, I just checked in. 14 FTs for NO, 4 for the good guys. How is that a favorable whistle? Are we raping and pillaging?

[dirkfansince1998]

Wait, I just checked in. 14 FTs for NO, 4 for the good guys. How is that a favorable whistle? Are we raping and pillaging?

Need to get into the paint to get FTs. NO is doing it. Mavs aren't.
DJJ got a layup out of a situation where the defender had his hands on the ball. Should have been a jump ball. Next trip down the floor Kyrie reaches in on a shot attempt but the refs don't call it a shooting foul. Grant got away with some pretty obvious pushes/holds against Valanciunas. Cannot complain about the refs right now.

[KillerLeft]

Much stronger finish to that half than start.

[Mavs2021]

Best part: The score.
Worst part: Mavs announcers giving Grant Williams a virtual participation trophy for being a try-hard midget.

[Chicagojk]

Great finish to the half. Noe let’s come out hot in the third and give them reason to pack it in.

That franchise is so tied to Zion. If he is what he should be, they are a serious contender moving forward. Hawkins would be absolutely terrifying playing off a top 10 player in Zion and Ingram. If Zion is not that player, they are good but not great.

[DallasMaverick]

Best part: The score.
Worst part: Mavs announcers giving Grant Williams a virtual participation trophy for being a try-hard midget.

Not sure you’re allowed to use “midget” anymore. 

How about “vertically challenged”?

[dirkfansince1998]

Best part: The score.
Worst part: Mavs announcers giving Grant Williams a virtual participation trophy for being a try-hard midget.

Starting to feel bad for him. Kleber is back and Williams is still playing small ball center. Meanwhile Kleber is playing PF next to Powell.

[mvossman]

Starting to feel bad for him. Kleber is back and Williams is still playing small ball center. Meanwhile Kleber is playing PF next to Powell.

Not sure what we are going to do with him when everyone healthy and we are playing Powell/Maxi second unit front court

[KillerLeft]

Powell is having a very good game, in my opinion.

[BoredAssistant]

Timmy Buckets! Gotta be the best season of his career.

[KillerLeft]

Powell is having a very good game, in my opinion.

[dirkfansince1998]

Mavs running the offense through Dwight Powell as a high post passing hub. Warriors-like offense with hand off opportunities and cutters.

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And as soon as Williams enters the floor the Pelicans go on a run.

[KillerLeft]

To his credit, this is the first time Lawson has gotten real action where I thought he was overmatched. But, he looks overmatched.

[Chicagojk]

Disappointing that Kyrie and Hardaway have good scoring third quarters but we have lost 10 points.

Pelicans playing great and Hawkins looks like prime Ray Allen.

May be a good idea to sit Grant for rest of the game. Another poor run for him.

[dirkfansince1998]

DJJs defense has been disappointing. Not as active. Not able to stay in front of anyone.

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THJ and off ball defense...Took a step towards the top of the key instead of staying low. Was out of position for the rotation to the corner.

[Chicagojk]

Well that doesn’t look good. Outside of a strong finish to the second, the Pelicans have been much sharper. Golden opportunity for some guys who had strong games last game to really make an impact. Most have not. This will be a tough one to win. Pelicans too our shot and punched back…harder.

[dirkfansince1998]

Well that doesn’t look good.  Outside of a strong finish to the second, the Pelicans have been much sharper.  Golden opportunity for some guys who had strong games last game to really make an impact.  Most have not.  This will be a tough one to win.  Pelicans too our shot and punched back…harder.

Super frustrating because it feels like the Mavs are doing it to themself. Good defense for 20s only to give up an open three late in the shot clock on at least three possessions.