12-21-2021, 11:44 PM
MAVS WIN CLASH OF THE EMERGENCY TEAMS
The skeletons of the two contestants enter the AAC on the back half of a home-and-home. The Mavs are missing Reggie Bullock, Tim Hardaway, Josh Green, and Maxi due to COVID protocols. Additionally, Luka (ankle), KP (toe), and Omoruyi (foot) are out with injuries, and Willie still has his personal issues. That leaves 11 guys to suit up, including two-way player McLaughlin and a couple ten-day players signed within the last day (Theo Pinson and Marquese Chriss). Vanderbilt, Beverley, Edwards, Okogie, and Prince are out for Minnesota.
Due to the decimated rosters of both teams, we may do an abbreviated version of the recap tonight. I’m not expecting much of a game, but if there unexpectedly is one, we’ve got it covered. However, we do have the special treat of Dirk serving as the color commentator, alongside Followill, so that should give us something to look forward to.
In the end, the thrown-together Mavs cruised past their opponents, achieving a split on the mini-series. Dirk was a fabulous courtside analyst, and it was an odd but giddy night.
GAME NOTES
Starting lineup Brunson-Ntlikina-DFS-Sterling-Powell
FIRST QUARTER
Dirk saying he anticipates simple plays with a lot of running. KAT opens the scoring with a jam. Brunson gets the Mavs started with a corner three. Dirk oohing and aah-ing over the “best shooting big man in the world,” lol.
14-12 6:11
Mavs have four threes in the first six minutes, with Sterling, Powell, and Brunson (2) doing the honors.
Theo Pinson has come in. Has an assist to Brunson for a three. Moses runs the floor for a jam. Dirk says Tyson must have taught him that. Mo bites on a Towns shot fake. Dirk says it’s a really tough matchup for Moses.
23-22 2:44
Dirk is the highlight of this one, so far. Chriss and JaQuori McLaughlin on now. Dirk not totally pleased with the Mavs’ defense, making suggestions. Pinson knocks down a three! Chriss gets his first points as a Mav in the lane. Chriss hits a three at the end of the shot clock with a hand in his face!
34-35 after one
Well, this game has been a romp, to this point. KAT leads the Wolves with 12 points, JB has 9 for Dallas.
SECOND QUARTER
Bobi enters, sending the crowd into raptures. The Big Bo gets on the board with a free throw. Now he commits a foul on the floor, grabbing a passing Wolf’s leg to stop the fast break. Dirk doesn’t like Frank’s turnover trying to pass to Bobi — you have to get that pass up there to the big guy, he’s 7’5.” You tell 'em how to play with big guys, Dirk! Bobi with a put-back! Woo-hoo! Boban with a jumper! He gets hit on the arm, but the ref turns his head. Bobi is not happy with that.
39-37 8:36
Dirk describes Boban as a “scoring machine,” a “walking double-double if he has the minutes,” and a “consummate professional.” Says he first saw Bobi when the Mavs were playing the Spurs. He had not encountered Bobi in Europe, and when he saw Bobi walk in, he was taken aback and thought, “Who in the world is that?” Bobi started the relationship by trying to dunk on Dirk all game, lol.
Dirk observes that KAT is also a tough matchup for Boban. On the other end, though, Bobi earns an and-one, courtesy of the world’s best shooter. Powell and DFS trap the best shooter on the sidelines, force a turnover. DFS completes a 9-0 Mavs run with a flush from Pinson.
50-42 5:05
Bobi had 8 points in 5 minutes. Brunson working Russell with a jam. The crowd loves it. Dirk hopes the Mavs will keep Brunson. Skin suggests he walk into the front office and make that happen. Dirk says everyone would like to keep JB, but free agency can be tough. Pinson with a steal and dunk. Yay. Brunson fouled shooting a three, Russell’s third.
61-50 HT
Brunson and Beasley each leads his team with 16 points. Towns has 15 for MIN. Mavs have 9 offensive rebounds, and own a 10-0 advantage in second-chance points. Wolves score only 15 points in the second period. Devin thinks double-teaming Towns is the key to the game.
THIRD QUARTER
67-52 10:37
MIN calls an early timeout to stop their bleeding. Brunson tearing them up, not to speak of a nifty pass and flush on a DFS-Powell connection. Mavs had a double-digit lead here, but MIN on a run. Kidd wants a timeout to regroup.
79-73 3:46
DFS goaltended shot breaks a 13-0 MIN run. Dirk complaining that his seat is too small, he’s used to sitting on his comfy couch, lol. Mavs finish the quarter with a run of their own.
88-78 after three
Beasley and Towns combine for 45 for Minnie. Brunson, Powell, and Doe-Doe in double figures for Dallas.
FOURTH QUARTER
MIN within three after a couple of minutes. Now within one. Timeout Dallas.
88-87 9:30
Bobi returns. The roof comes off the arena. Woah, Reid flush over Bobi. Mavs go down briefly, but Doe pulls the lead back with a corner three. Chriss follows up with a jam from DFS.
99-95 5:31
Mavs with a 10-0 run! Frank called for a foul on Russell. Kidd challenges. Unsuccessful, which Dirk had predicted from the first. Mavs scamper to a win.
114-102 FT
ANALYSIS
The makeshift Mavs overcame another poor shooting night (11-34, 32% from three) to dig out a win, enjoying a 50-40 edge in PIP. Four starters were in double figures, with Bobi adding 10 off the bench. Chriss and Pinson combined for 13 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in their Maverick debuts! Sterling claimed a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Brunson led the scoring, with 28 points.
OBSERVATIONS
Dameris says that the identity of the 10-day players was not the result of some throw at the dart-board, but rather the product of a lot of effort in determining who the team might be interested in. Pinson was cute after the game, telling the story of how he learned he was being called up, and how blessed he felt. So refreshing, hearing someone that thrilled to be here.
After the game, Kidd commented on the newcomers. They played their hearts out. Liked their energy, their spirit, their sense of having something to fight for, their ball movement. They definitely helped the Mavs win this game. Theo great at moving the ball and talking. Chriss has great athletic abilities and did a great job on Towns early, so Kidd trusted him in the closing lineup.
A victory! Hurray! I don’t know what, if anything we can take from this little par-tay, but it was fun to watch a new cast of characters, and it was a relief avoiding a further slide in the W-L column.
The highlight of the evening was having Dirk on the call. Oh, what a blast! He’s a very intelligent guy, and is almost like a coach commenting on the floor, cheering on the good and fussing about the bad, lol. He gave a little post-game interview with the Bally studio crew, treating us to his laugh-out-loud, hysterical, self-deprecating sense of humor. DIRK FOREVER!!!
NEXT. Some version of the Mavs is scheduled to face Milwaukee on Thursday. I will not be able to do the recap for that one, so will check in again after the Christmas Day game, assuming there is one.
Merry Christmas, Mavs fans!
The skeletons of the two contestants enter the AAC on the back half of a home-and-home. The Mavs are missing Reggie Bullock, Tim Hardaway, Josh Green, and Maxi due to COVID protocols. Additionally, Luka (ankle), KP (toe), and Omoruyi (foot) are out with injuries, and Willie still has his personal issues. That leaves 11 guys to suit up, including two-way player McLaughlin and a couple ten-day players signed within the last day (Theo Pinson and Marquese Chriss). Vanderbilt, Beverley, Edwards, Okogie, and Prince are out for Minnesota.
Due to the decimated rosters of both teams, we may do an abbreviated version of the recap tonight. I’m not expecting much of a game, but if there unexpectedly is one, we’ve got it covered. However, we do have the special treat of Dirk serving as the color commentator, alongside Followill, so that should give us something to look forward to.
In the end, the thrown-together Mavs cruised past their opponents, achieving a split on the mini-series. Dirk was a fabulous courtside analyst, and it was an odd but giddy night.
GAME NOTES
Starting lineup Brunson-Ntlikina-DFS-Sterling-Powell
FIRST QUARTER
Dirk saying he anticipates simple plays with a lot of running. KAT opens the scoring with a jam. Brunson gets the Mavs started with a corner three. Dirk oohing and aah-ing over the “best shooting big man in the world,” lol.
14-12 6:11
Mavs have four threes in the first six minutes, with Sterling, Powell, and Brunson (2) doing the honors.
Theo Pinson has come in. Has an assist to Brunson for a three. Moses runs the floor for a jam. Dirk says Tyson must have taught him that. Mo bites on a Towns shot fake. Dirk says it’s a really tough matchup for Moses.
23-22 2:44
Dirk is the highlight of this one, so far. Chriss and JaQuori McLaughlin on now. Dirk not totally pleased with the Mavs’ defense, making suggestions. Pinson knocks down a three! Chriss gets his first points as a Mav in the lane. Chriss hits a three at the end of the shot clock with a hand in his face!
34-35 after one
Well, this game has been a romp, to this point. KAT leads the Wolves with 12 points, JB has 9 for Dallas.
SECOND QUARTER
Bobi enters, sending the crowd into raptures. The Big Bo gets on the board with a free throw. Now he commits a foul on the floor, grabbing a passing Wolf’s leg to stop the fast break. Dirk doesn’t like Frank’s turnover trying to pass to Bobi — you have to get that pass up there to the big guy, he’s 7’5.” You tell 'em how to play with big guys, Dirk! Bobi with a put-back! Woo-hoo! Boban with a jumper! He gets hit on the arm, but the ref turns his head. Bobi is not happy with that.
39-37 8:36
Dirk describes Boban as a “scoring machine,” a “walking double-double if he has the minutes,” and a “consummate professional.” Says he first saw Bobi when the Mavs were playing the Spurs. He had not encountered Bobi in Europe, and when he saw Bobi walk in, he was taken aback and thought, “Who in the world is that?” Bobi started the relationship by trying to dunk on Dirk all game, lol.
Dirk observes that KAT is also a tough matchup for Boban. On the other end, though, Bobi earns an and-one, courtesy of the world’s best shooter. Powell and DFS trap the best shooter on the sidelines, force a turnover. DFS completes a 9-0 Mavs run with a flush from Pinson.
50-42 5:05
Bobi had 8 points in 5 minutes. Brunson working Russell with a jam. The crowd loves it. Dirk hopes the Mavs will keep Brunson. Skin suggests he walk into the front office and make that happen. Dirk says everyone would like to keep JB, but free agency can be tough. Pinson with a steal and dunk. Yay. Brunson fouled shooting a three, Russell’s third.
61-50 HT
Brunson and Beasley each leads his team with 16 points. Towns has 15 for MIN. Mavs have 9 offensive rebounds, and own a 10-0 advantage in second-chance points. Wolves score only 15 points in the second period. Devin thinks double-teaming Towns is the key to the game.
THIRD QUARTER
67-52 10:37
MIN calls an early timeout to stop their bleeding. Brunson tearing them up, not to speak of a nifty pass and flush on a DFS-Powell connection. Mavs had a double-digit lead here, but MIN on a run. Kidd wants a timeout to regroup.
79-73 3:46
DFS goaltended shot breaks a 13-0 MIN run. Dirk complaining that his seat is too small, he’s used to sitting on his comfy couch, lol. Mavs finish the quarter with a run of their own.
88-78 after three
Beasley and Towns combine for 45 for Minnie. Brunson, Powell, and Doe-Doe in double figures for Dallas.
FOURTH QUARTER
MIN within three after a couple of minutes. Now within one. Timeout Dallas.
88-87 9:30
Bobi returns. The roof comes off the arena. Woah, Reid flush over Bobi. Mavs go down briefly, but Doe pulls the lead back with a corner three. Chriss follows up with a jam from DFS.
99-95 5:31
Mavs with a 10-0 run! Frank called for a foul on Russell. Kidd challenges. Unsuccessful, which Dirk had predicted from the first. Mavs scamper to a win.
114-102 FT
ANALYSIS
The makeshift Mavs overcame another poor shooting night (11-34, 32% from three) to dig out a win, enjoying a 50-40 edge in PIP. Four starters were in double figures, with Bobi adding 10 off the bench. Chriss and Pinson combined for 13 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in their Maverick debuts! Sterling claimed a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Brunson led the scoring, with 28 points.
OBSERVATIONS
Dameris says that the identity of the 10-day players was not the result of some throw at the dart-board, but rather the product of a lot of effort in determining who the team might be interested in. Pinson was cute after the game, telling the story of how he learned he was being called up, and how blessed he felt. So refreshing, hearing someone that thrilled to be here.
After the game, Kidd commented on the newcomers. They played their hearts out. Liked their energy, their spirit, their sense of having something to fight for, their ball movement. They definitely helped the Mavs win this game. Theo great at moving the ball and talking. Chriss has great athletic abilities and did a great job on Towns early, so Kidd trusted him in the closing lineup.
A victory! Hurray! I don’t know what, if anything we can take from this little par-tay, but it was fun to watch a new cast of characters, and it was a relief avoiding a further slide in the W-L column.
The highlight of the evening was having Dirk on the call. Oh, what a blast! He’s a very intelligent guy, and is almost like a coach commenting on the floor, cheering on the good and fussing about the bad, lol. He gave a little post-game interview with the Bally studio crew, treating us to his laugh-out-loud, hysterical, self-deprecating sense of humor. DIRK FOREVER!!!
NEXT. Some version of the Mavs is scheduled to face Milwaukee on Thursday. I will not be able to do the recap for that one, so will check in again after the Christmas Day game, assuming there is one.
Merry Christmas, Mavs fans!
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