Game 47: Orlando Magic (24-22) vs. Dallas Mavericks (25-21)

[KillerLeft]

Hardy has been the Mavs' best player in this first half.

[Dova]

Mavs making Orlando look like prime Splash Bros

Im turning this off at half time, and honestly not going to bother watching the next 3

@ Minnesota, Milwaukee, @ Philly, all losses.

I'll get back to watching when we play @ Brooklyn

So tired of this team

[BoredAssistant]

Would have been cool to witness history(?) if Orlando hit that 3.

[KillerLeft]

Mavs making Orlando look like prime Splash Bros

Im turning this off at half time, and honestly not going to bother watching the next 3

@ Minnesota, Milwaukee, @ Philly, all losses.

I'll get back to watching when we play @ Brooklyn

So tired of this team

I respect your decisiveness. I'm not there yet, but I think more of us should take breaks instead of just feeding on the negativity. 

Bottom line is that if it's not fun to follow the games, the time investment is just too much.

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I just said I think the injuries get Kidd off the hook this year, and I mean that...but on the other hand the team is starting to show a little "give up"...and right about the same time they started losing last year. If that trend continues, maybe it does piss Cuban off enough to take action.

[Smitty]

Grant Williams with 11 minutes of cardio. This roster needs a complete overhaul. Cuban played the injury card on social media today - but I hope the FO isn’t that blind, and makes real changes.

[ThisIStheYear]

These guys don’t really seem to be giving it their all. No defensive effort. Wide open shots. They look like the Washington Generals out there.

[KillerLeft]

Grant Williams with 11 minutes of cardio. This roster needs a complete overhaul. Cuban played the injury card on social media today - but I hope the FO isn’t that blind, and makes real changes.

I don't think the roster sucks. I think the culture of the team and their competitiveness sucks. 

The roster can ALWAYS be better. But these guys aren't really trying. It starts with Kidd, and honestly, Luka could lead by example a bit better. His conditioning is definitely better this year, but it's still not on Paul George level, Jimmy Butler level, etc. I'm not trying to make it seem like "he's the problem" because that's ridiculous. I do hope that A) he has the potential to elevate his conditioning TWO OR THREE levels above what we've seen since his second season, and B) that someone in the Mavs' organization can help him to realize that potential. 

As great as Luka is, and he is MONUMENTALLY great...he is a PG who can't run the floor. That ain't ideal. 

They need to get a coach in here quickly who can help Luka reach his top level before it's too late.

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These guys don’t really seem to be giving it their all. No defensive effort. Wide open shots. They look like the Washington Generals out there.

Seems like open 3's are inevitable with Kidd's defensive approach, so sometimes it's tough to tell if the open 3's are the result of laziness, but in this one it seems obvious. So many cutters and movers getting away from their defender out there tonight. 

How can they be more tired than the team on the 2nd night of a back to back?

[Chicagojk]

I am behind, but get a new coach. Defense is awful. Whatever they are trying to do it is not working. Just brutal. On offense is is all self creation. Nothing else. What is the plan when you don’t have a star?

Luka not playing winning ball tonight. Josh laying a stinker.

[Smitty]

I don't think the roster sucks. I think the culture of the team and their competitiveness sucks. 

The roster can ALWAYS be better. But these guys are really trying. It starts with Kidd, and honestly, Luka could lead by example a bit better. His conditioning is definitely better this year, but it's still not on Paul George level, Jimmy Butler level, etc. I'm not trying to make it seem like "he's the problem" because that's ridiculous. I do hope that A) he has the potential to elevate his conditioning TWO OR THREE levels above what we've seen since his second season, and B) that someone in the Mavs' organization is up to getting him to realize how important it is that he reaches that potential. 

As great as Luka is, and he is MONUMENTALLY great...he is a PG who can't run the floor. That ain't ideal. 

They need to get a coach in here quickly who can help Luka reach his top level before it's too late.

The things about Luka are true but Kidd and 50 game Kyrie as a co-star isn’t going anywhere. The absolute worst thing that can happen is the Mavs getting someone like Wiggins or Kuzma, thinking it’ll help when I believe a move like that will ultimately lead to Luka wearing another uniform. This is about as down as I was when we lost Brunson.

[ThisIStheYear]

Well. Good start to the 3rd but I’m surprised they’ve only trimmed 6 points off considering Orlando’s poor play. Maybe the dam will break. Mavs really need a win.

[DallasMaverick]

Timmy!!!!

Orlando down to 50% on threes.

[Smitty]

Good team to showcase Hardy to. Need THJ to get hot from deep and Mosley can give us WCJ for em.

Let’s go!!

[ThisIStheYear]

I know he factors opponent into his starting lineup decisions, but I haven't seen much evidence of in-game adjustment. Doesn't mean it's not there, but I definitely feel like it's harder to see than it is with some other coaches.

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What really sucks about the injuries is that they are actually a legitimate excuse for the team's poor play. Kidd is going to survive at least one more summer, I think.

Guess I have to give Kidd some credit. The zone defense was a noticeable adjustment and it’s totally thrown Orlando off their game. I know zones are exploitable but it seems to fit the Mavs personnel as it doesn’t seem to require as much movement or quickness.

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Guess I have to give Kidd some credit. The zone defense was a noticeable adjustment and it’s totally thrown Orlando off their game. I know zones are exploitable but it seems to fit the Mavs personnel as it doesn’t require as much movement or quickness.

[KillerLeft]

The things about Luka are true but Kidd and 50 game Kyrie as a co-star isn’t going anywhere. The absolute worst thing that can happen is the Mavs getting someone like Wiggins or Kuzma, thinking it’ll help when I believe a move like that will ultimately lead to Luka wearing another uniform. This is about as down as I was when we lost Brunson.

I agree with all of this, ESPECIALLY the Wiggins/Kuzma point.

---

Missing on Porzingis, losing Brunson for nothing and the third strike the Mavs just can't afford: trading for Wiggins.

[Chicagojk]

Mich better energy. Classic case of a back to back team just feeling it in the third.

Come out strong in the fourth. Attack the rim. Don’t settle for contested threes. Make Orlando guard

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Ouch. Maybe not. 6 quick points to start the fourth. Maxi looks rough out there. Looks like he is running on egg shells

[KillerLeft]

Mich better energy.  Classic case of a back to back team just feeling it in the third.

Come out strong in the fourth.  Attack the rim.  Don’t settle for contested threes.  Make Orlando guard

Do you think it's more that Orlando's fatigue is catching up with them, or more that the Mavs are actually trying? I think both are factors, but not sure which is more significant. 

Meanwhile, the 4th isn't going great.

[KillerLeft]

Almost 3 minutes into the 4th, the Mavs finally score. Why? Hardaway, that's why.

And just like that, they're looking a bit better on both ends.

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Kyrie would really help in this game, because those super long traps are bothering Luka. The passes out aren't as on time/on target as normal. The Mavs desperately need someone who can do something once the ball leaves Luka's hands. I honestly think Hardy needs another big stretch here, and possibly a chance to finish.

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What on EARTH was Green doing there? Why didn't he close out to the corner????

[KillerLeft]

Hardy and Kleber for Green and Green. Good decisions, both, imho.

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TH to the mf J!

[Scott41theMavs]

Methinks THJ read the discussion on the board today, and really wants to finish his career here. Finish well, young man. (Raise that trade value, lol)

[KillerLeft]

Movs just wasted GREAT defense from Kleber on Banchero.

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Methinks THJ read the discussion on the board today, and really wants to finish his career here. Finish well, young man. (Raise that trade value, lol)

I guess I'm crazy, because I feel like he's had a ton of these good games this year. 

The last two sucked...but tonight isn't exactly an outlier. He's a GOOD offensive player! He's a PERFECT 6th man!