Game 72: Dallas Mavericks (34-37) vs. Brooklyn Nets (23-48)

[SleepingHero]

[SleepingHero]

@TheSteinLine
Anthony Davis is expected to play tonight at Brooklyn after an 18-game absence, sources tell
@TheSteinLine and @DLLS_Sports
.

The plan, I'm told, is for Davis to play just one of Dallas' back-to-back games in New York.

More coverage of AD's comeback: http://tinyurl.com/5yx49j65

[Scott41theMavs]

The silver lining of the disaster of bringing AD back too early (before next year, lol) is that we get to see how the PJ-AD-plug in a center lineup looks again.

[Reunion Mav]

The silver lining of the disaster of bringing AD back too early (before next year, lol) is that we get to see how the PJ-AD-plug in a center lineup looks again.

It is fun to watch the Mavs with good big men again.

[Deebo]

Can we not sign Kai jones to real contract?

[bubbler86]

A laugher. They loss to the Pacers still hurts for those of us that want to see wins.

[Scott41theMavs]

34 assists is a lot of fun. Would be tons more fun if we still had Luka and/or if Kai was healthy.

[bubbler86]

Going to miss Brandon Williams when he hits his 50.

[SleepingHero]

Can we not sign Kai jones to real contract?

Not until mid April.

But there is no reason to. He has plenty of game eligibility left for the season. Its Kessler Edwards and Brandon Williams that need to be converted in order to still be played.

Although, out of the 3, Kai Jones might be my favorite dude long term.

[Scott41theMavs]

Not until mid April.

But there is no reason to. He has plenty of game eligibility left for the season. Its Kessler Edwards and Brandon Williams that need to be converted in order to still be played.

Although, out of the 3, Kai Jones might be my favorite dude long term.

Oh! He's a two-way? I'm so out of it in my fandom that I missed that. I'm not used to our FO doing anything remotely right.

[SleepingHero]

Oh! He's a two-way? I'm so out of it in my fandom that I missed that. I'm not used to our FO doing anything remotely right.

Yep. He replaced Kylor Kelley. 

It was certainly a solid signing!

[SwisherPrice]

Mavs will make the play-in. Wouldn't even surprise me if they finish 9th. OKC fans getting nervous yet?

[Knutsen]

Mavs will make the play-in. Wouldn't even surprise me if they finish 9th. OKC fans getting nervous yet?

I think they hope we make it - not many easier outs around than this depleted Mavs team. I‘d be much more concerned of Durant, Booker and Beal getting hot for a couple of games early in the series and things getting interesting all of a sudden.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Good overall game (Nets are really bad though), everybody played well.

Our 3 points % will be a problem in PO, Davis at the 4 can only make things worse in this NBA era ruled  by the outside shooting.

Suns looked good but Sacramento is cooked probably.

[Chicagojk]

nice to get an easy win. When PJ twisted his ankle in the first half, I was like "of course". Luckily it was not bad. I thought the defense lacked a little in the second half, but they were the much better team. Dinwiddie for the fourth straight game has a great assist to turnover game. I like him in the 10-12 shot range with a lot of his attempts going to the rim. He did hit some really tough shots though. Marshall continues his really strong play. Also had two threes. What is the team going to do when Williams time runs out? Those backup point guard minutes are going to be brutal.

The Nets are in a tough spot. I know they blew everything up for draft picks. They had some players out last night, but I am not sure (with the guys that played last night) if they have 1 guy who can be viewed as a future good starter. That is tough. They really need to hit on their upcoming draft picks. It looks like a long rebuild.

So, what are the odds of PHX and Dallas both making the playin and Sacramento missing out?

[F Gump]

I wouldn't read anything into this win. Brooklyn is trying their best to lose every game. Beating them should be easy (and it was).

They are in a tough race to out-lose Philly and Toronto. So each game the coach looks for playing hard for a while, then make sure their lineup and results are meh down the stretch (as needed) to collect their loss. Ideally for them, no wins ahead.

As for the 2 ways, none of them can be used in postseason play. So the question of who might get promoted for those last few games will also consider who they would need the most for any postseason games. 

While they all have value, my guess remains that Williams will be selected. Kyrie isn't coming back, nor is Exum. But for the bigger players, Edwards and Kai, we already have AD back in the mix, and it's a reasonable guess that Lively should follow soon ... maybe also Gaff and Martin to follow. 

There are potential ramifications for the future, as they could add a non guaranteed minimum for next season -- and that MIGHT change the thinking slightly. But all these guys have shown value. Maybe they try to keep them all eventually?

[FireNicoHarrison]

We badly need a floor general, i hope they will trade Gafford (or Lively)

[Chicagojk]

About a week ago, Marc Stein referenced on the DLLS podcast that dallas may be able to sign two of the two way guys to NBA contracts if they waited a few more days. This would require them releasing someone though. If Exum is out, he is the most likely decision. I don't know if this is feasible but something he mentioned briefly on the show.

[F Gump]

We badly need a floor general, i hope they will trade Gafford (or Lively)

I assume your "floor general" to find would be a player in the mold of Luka, or other ball dominant type that the offense revolves around.

On the surface, when I look at the roster , that seems like where they would try to go from here. 

But as I think about it more, I'm not so sure. I have shared for a while that I believe Kidd's model team he wants to build towards is the Mavs title team, and the PG there (Kidd himself) was far from a ball dominant player. 

If I'm right, then AD is their new Dirk. They stay loaded up on bigs to make the game easier for AD. Extra size at the 3 with PJ. If we look at that team and this one, side by side, there's a huge resemblance. That was about the opposite of a one man team, and hung their hat on their size, stifling defense, especially to close out games, and some timely efficient scoring.

[F Gump]

About a week ago, Marc Stein referenced on the DLLS podcast that dallas may be able to sign two of the two way guys to NBA contracts if they waited a few more days.  This would require them releasing someone though.  If Exum is out, he is the most likely decision.  I don't know if this is feasible but something he mentioned briefly on the show.

Yes, they can split their sliver of remaining money, if they have roster spots. Right now they only have 1. 

IIRC they have enough money for around 5 days of pay in total, at minimum salary rate. 

Exum might make sense since his contract is up at seasons end, assuming (a) they don't want to re-sign him, and (b) he is out for the year. Its hard to know any hard answers on those questions, unless you're in the FO. 

There's a need for A LOT of inside info on their plans ahead, to get a feel for what they might see as the way to play it. Looking ahead, they have money issues and also lack roster spots, with questions looming about who to keep, and some very different ways to approach it all. So I think their overall planning impacts even the little moves done now.