GAME 8: NYK (2-7) @ DAL (5-3) | 102-106 loss

[j0Shi]

Bullets:

• Finally a pathetic performance resulted in a pathetic loss. What a piss-poor showing and bad loss. Should have happened against Orlando already. I'm also very glad Rick's bullshit rotations have cost them. I said I'm fine with juggling rotations as long as it works. Now is the time to get a set one and let the guys gel.
  
• One of my keys was matching the Knicks intensity tonight and boy the Mavs missed by a mile. Outrebounded, outhustled. Pretty much the same shit that brought them close to a L vs. Orlando.
  
• I know Knicks shot lights out, but that precisely why you shouldn't give a bad team any confidence. Even more amazing the Knicks did it without Barrett contributing anything.
  
• I think Powell might not be able to defend anyone to be honest. I was joking about Randle having a big game, but OF COURSE he was giving it to Dwight down low. And not only him, Gibson owned DP as well. Kleber is the much better player especially in case Powell can't provide on offense. He was pretty awful overall.
  
• Same goes for THJ. We had a decent start for once and then he comes in and bricks every available shot. That last minute three can't save him.
  
• Seth Curry's minutes continues to amaze me. He's clearly a great shooter on a team that needs one and is like the 10th player in the rotation. Unless something is up with him physically, there's no explanation. #FreeSeth
  
• Frankie did a decent job on Luka, but MSG pretended like he completely shut him down. LOL. One of those games where the three wouldn't fall for him. But otherwise spectacular. Doesn't mean Ntilikina wasn't a beast though. He definitely was a major factor in them winning.
  
• I don't want to hear anything about Luka's last shot by the way. Yes it was a bad one early in the clock. He could have gotten closer to the basket for sure. But tonight it was also a classic "I'm not getting any help here so I'm taking dumb step-backs" game. Doncic scored more than all other non KP-Mavs combined. Go figure.
  
• An additional comment on Luka's turnovers: A good bunch on them were caused by bad team spacing and Dwight just not moving that great on offense. Again, DP was annoyingly bad.
  
• Kleber's +/- doesn't show, but he was excellent tonight. Stellar defense and made some smart passes offensively. Unfortunately guys weren't able to hit. He should have closed the game instead of Powell.
  
• Not sure what happened to Brunson, but I don't like it. Not as worried about Wright, because he contributes in a variety of ways, but Brunson really seems hesitant and not as confident lately. He had a nice stretch in the 4th though.