MAVS NEWS: Luka Is Hurt, But is Trudging On | DLive's Mom Passes Away| Maxi OUT

[SleepingHero]

@iztok_franko
I will be the first to tell that this by qtr net ratings early on are very volatile / fluky. Teams have had on average only around 150 field goal attempts so far in the 4th.

But Dallas have had a string of really good 4th quarter performances so far.

1. I was wrong - Luka & Kyrie played (and kicked ass down the stretch) on a B2B
Dallas is 6-0 in clutch and this season one can be confident if they get even going into 4th they're gonna win. Both stars made several key plays on both ends in clutch.


2. I was right - Dallas is a much better playmaking and shooting team
Wrote in the preview that if Mavs match Magic intensity & take care of the ball they should be fine.
Well they did it in the 2nd half. Magic creators struggled: Paolo 6 assists-6 turnovers,Suggs 7 ast-4 tov.

3. Game plan - let Black, Suggs, Mo shoot
It was obvious Mavs helped off Magic poor shooters on Paolo & Frantz drives. But they made shots in 1st half: 4 of 7 from 3, Magic 7/11 overall.
But Magic went cold in the 2nd: 1/16 from 3. Not throwing the ball away helped as well.

4. Hardaway Jr. offensive game
THJ had his moments on the defensive end in 1st half. But as maddening as that can be, it's hard not to play a 39% three-point shooter that hoists 9.3 threes per game.
THJ finished with 21 points, 4/11 from 3, 8/16 overall.

5. Derrick Jones Jr. defensive game
DJJ has been Mavs best point of attack defender this season.  But I've been waiting for some of his athletic rear-view contest and help D blocks. He had 2 last night  and several other solid defensive plays