Game 7: Indiana Pacers (2-4) vs. Dallas Mavericks (4-2) | 8:45pm CST

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I haven't read the game chat here, so I don't know the temperature of the board. Just wanted to post my thoughts about the game.

- The Indiana Pacers are THE one team where Lively and Maxi play all 48 minutes at Center. The Mavs had neither in this one. L
- PJ is playing damn good basketball on the defensive end but 0-5 on WIDE OPEN three's, most of them timely ones. Tough!
- It felt like Kyrie and Luka missed so many bunnies. In-and-Outs. Or at least shots they normally make.
- Naji was incredible. Finally a breakout game on offense to match what he's shown defensively this season.
- Dinwiddie was pretty good in this one, it seems like he's solidified that backup guard spot. I'm sure Hardy will get another shot later in the season.
- Klay and Grimes were fine. Klay didn't get many shots in the first half. Grimes should have played more to help with the teams' turnstile perimeter defense.

The Mavs were outscored 21-9 (-12) in the first 5:16. The Mavs were outscored 18-11 (-7) in the final 5:47. In the other 36:57 the Mavs outscored the Pacers 107-95 (+12). Second night of B2B and the shorthanded Mavs started slow and finished poorly.

Long season but I saw enough positives to feel encouraged about the ceiling of this team. The Pacers have the Mavs number. It is what it is.

Carlisle is 5-2 vs Mavs winning 3 straight since becoming Pacers HC.

[omahen]

I don't get dissapointment by the season start by some. After first seven or so games we have OKC and Boston dominating, which was pretty much expected. Than we have three surprisingly good starts in Cleveland, Phoenix and GSW. No other team in the East is above .500 and no other team in the West currently holds better record than Mavs (looking just at wins and losses).

We all knew West will be a blood bath. I still expect Mavs to finish top4 and would be dissapointed with less. I just don't think there is a need to panic.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

My biggest concern now that Naji is out of his slump is how Grimes is only averaging 12 mins. We need him to play 20+ minutes of great 3&D.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I'm not seeing any comments about Naji.  Last night he played like the player i saw in NOP and thought we were getting.  IMO, this is huge for our rotation.  I'd say he's our third distributor on O and gives us body up D that DJJ didn't.

He was great last night. The issue with him is consistency as it is with most bench guys.

[mvossman]

I haven't read the game chat here, so I don't know the temperature of the board. Just wanted to post my thoughts about the game.

- The Indiana Pacers are THE one team where Lively and Maxi play all 48 minutes at Center. The Mavs had neither in this one. L
- PJ is playing damn good basketball on the defensive end but 0-5 on WIDE OPEN three's, most of them timely ones. Tough!
- It felt like Kyrie and Luka missed so many bunnies. In-and-Outs. Or at least shots they normally make.
- Naji was incredible. Finally a breakout game on offense to match what he's shown defensively this season.
- Dinwiddie was pretty good in this one, it seems like he's solidified that backup guard spot. I'm sure Hardy will get another shot later in the season.
- Klay and Grimes were fine. Klay didn't get many shots in the first half. Grimes should have played more to help with the teams' turnstile perimeter defense.

The Mavs were outscored 21-9 (-12) in the first 5:16. The Mavs were outscored 18-11 (-7) in the final 5:47. In the other 36:57 the Mavs outscored the Pacers 107-95 (+12). Second night of B2B and the shorthanded Mavs started slow and finished poorly.

Long season but I saw enough positives to feel encouraged about the ceiling of this team. The Pacers have the Mavs number. It is what it is.

Great points.  I think that first point includes some other teams as well (like Boston).  This was a really tough game to have Lively and Maxi out.  The silver lining is we got to see the PJ/Naji small ball lineup and it looks promising.  It would be very good to have a small ball option (especially in the playoffs) when Maxi is out (like he so often is).

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

He was great last night. The issue with him is consistency as it is with most bench guys.

Without looking at box scores from last year, I think he was pretty consistent with NOP last year, certainly more than he has been for us prior to last night.  He had as good of a season with them as DJJ did with us.  I love the signing and think we'll continue to see him fit in.

[Scott41theMavs]

He was great last night. The issue with him is consistency was acclimation as it is with most bench new guys.

FIFY

[HoosierDaddyKid]

FIFY

Pretty clever. I still stand by what I said.