MAVS BLAST ROCKETS IN HOME OPENER
The Mavs opened their home season against the division rival Houston Rockets. The Rockets are not the juggernaut of old, but have an intriguing slate of players, led by former Mavs assistant coach Stephen Silas. The Mavs were heavy favorites going into the contest.
GAME NOTES
Your Dallas Mavericks are healthy and raring to go. John Wall is out for the Rox. The entire active roster is introduced. Boban draws massive cheers, lol. KP is rocking an impressive shiner from the Raps game. The AAC is packed. Good times!
FIRST QUARTER
Mavs open the scoring with a lob-dunk by Powell. Luka stuns the Rockets with a beautiful step-back jack from downtown. 10-14 at 6:15. This Rockets team is young, but not to be taken lightly. Luka back to jawing at the refs, lol. DFS doing his best to make life tough for #2 pick Jalen Green.
THJ looking good with the reverse lay-in. Boban is on the floor! Immediately has a put-back dunk. Loud cheers ensue! Now, the Luka-Boban connection strikes again! Woo-hoo! The crowd is going nuts over Boban, who scores yet again. 22-22 at 2:25. Luka with a block! Luka and Boban combine for 15 points so far. Two scoring machines!
Oh no. Houston has an 8-0 run. Brunson breaks the drought with a score at the rim. Bullock bails the Rox out with a foul under the basket. Maxi from way back! Mavs basket at the buzzer called off for being late. 27-31 after one. Mavs shooting 22% from three.
SECOND QUARTER
Josh Green on the floor! Reggie hits a PUJIT three! Brunson takes a hard foul under the basket, apparently earns an and-one. 36-41 as Silas challenges the call. Basket good, no foul.
Bullock with another three! Keep ‘em coming, Reg! Kleber hits again. Now we’re talking! Danuel House limps off the floor and goes to the locker room. Think he stepped on someone’s foot. Maxi again! Hot shooting from the bench! 45-46 at the midpoint.
Mavs take their first lead of the quarter with a Luka and-one. 48-46. WILD airball from Christian Wood. Mavs closing the half with the starting lineup. Houston retakes the lead with a 10-2 run. 57-60 at the half.
Starters shooting 1-10 from three. Bench 5-11, with Maxi and Reggie hitting the triples. Overall, Luka is 4-12, KP 1-6. Yikes. Houston’s 11 threes have them in the lead.
THIRD QUARTER
Looks like Danuel House is out for the rest of the game with a strained foot. Luka with amazing shot over Tate. Big collision under the basket. Powell and Porter. Powell on the ground, gets up, grabbing his neck. Looks like he’s staying in. KP-DP connect! Mavs open up a 12-0 run! 69-60 at 9:32.
Jae’Sean Tate called for his fifth foul. Houston earns its first points four minutes in. Follows with a scoring burst. 73-69 at 6:42.
They are periodically showing Coach Silas on the sideline. I keep thinking I am spotting a young Denzel Washington. Brunson from the corner! Eric Gordon matches. Hardaway hits from the corner while he’s going down! Way cool! Moses Brown makes his Mavs debut! Moses draws a foul, makes one of two. Frankie enters the court. Moses blocks a shot. Frankie feeds him for a dunk! The crowd loves it! Ball is stuck above the basket. Crowd boos Christian Wood for not letting Bobi come to the rescue, lol. Boban laughing on the bench. 91-88 after three. Eleven-point lead has shrunk to three. Need to get Luka back out there, prolly. Eric Gordon has 15 points in the period.
FOURTH QUARTER
Kidd unsuccessfully challenges a foul on Maxi. An all-bench lineup starts the period. Boban with a little floater. Easy, man, easy. DFS replaces Kleber. Boban again! Be still, my heart! 103-97 at 7:50. Porzingis doubtful to return with low back tightness.
Starters back out, with Brunson replacing KP. DFS throws down with authority! KPJ teed up for staring down the official. Brunson takes the free throw. Rockets fighting to the end. Luka upset with an offensive foul call, but controls himself. Starters are wrapping this up. Mavs doing a little showboating now, lol.
Rockets fought the good fight, but the Mavs’ superior players eventually won the day, and Dallas cruised to the win in the last few minutes. 116-106
ANALYSIS
This was a fun contest. Kidd ran out all fifteen players in front of the admiring home crowd.
The Mavs shot only 28% from three. The five starters combined for four treys, but the bench accumulated eight. It was a great night for the bench in general — they combined for 52 points, 21 boards, and 15 dimes! Wow!
The Rockets’ 17 turnovers really hurt them, along with three of their starters being in foul trouble (Tate and Porter with five fouls, Wood with four).
PLAYER NOTES
DONCIC. Luka put on a show, with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists, along with 2 steals and a block He looked to be having a high old time out there, which was great to see. Really a pleasure to watch this young phenom. You’re always in it with a player of this quality. Thanks to his teammates, he was able to keep his minutes to a reasonable 34.
DFS. Doe-Doe was second in minutes with 32, and played an important role in defending the athletic young Rockets. He and Luka combined to go 1-11 from three, but we nitpick. Six and six from the Doe-ster.
THJ. Timmy added sixteen points in 30 minutes of action, on 6-12 shooting. He was second on the team in +/-, at +12, after Luka at +15. He hit some difficult shots, as usual, and operated smoothly with Luka. Had a solid defensive game, as well.
BRUNSON. Jalen served in a sixth man role again, playing 28 minutes, and shone with 11 points and a game-high 11 assists. Devin Harris revealed before the game that Brunson’s goal at this stage is to be a starting point guard in the NBA, so let’s enjoy our chance to watch him while we can.
POWELL. Dwight had 7 points and 4 boards in 25 minutes on the court, and was part of the closing unit, along with Luka, Brunson, Timmy, and Finney-Smith. He had five fouls, but managed to last out the game.
PORZINGIS. KP had 9 points and 3 boards. He was limited by back tightness, and was able to eke out only 20 minutes on the court. He was 2-10 from the floor, and was the only starter in negative figures (-4). I imagine his back problems may have contributed to that. That big black eye gave him a very warrior-like and fearsome visage. Kidd said after the game that KP's back should be okay after some rest.
BENCH. A glorious night for the reserves. Reggie impressed with 16 points, including four triples. Kidd said that he changed the game for the Mavs, so we'll keep an eye on him as he gets more games under his belt. Maxi went for 9 and 7, and had a very efficient (3-4) night from beyond the arc. Fan fave Boban was 5-5 from the field for 11 points, and delighted the crowd with his presence. Wouldn’t surprise me if he got a cameo in all the home games — such a beloved player! The other six guys all got a few minutes of burn, and combined for 5 points, 2 boards, and 2 assists.
ROCKETS. The Rox had five guys in double figures, led by Eric Gordon with 22 points off the bench. Christian Wood contributed 16 points and 17 boards, and Daniel Theis had 15 and 10. The Rockets fans have themselves a feisty young team. I don’t know how many wins they’ll manage, but they should be hella fun to watch.
OBSERVATIONS
Kidd complimented all the bigs, especially Boban and Moses. The player-council (Luka, KP, THJ) wanted him to play everyone, and he was enthusiastic. The team was informed before the game that they would all play, and Kidd commended them for keeping mum and not spoiling the surprise. Doesn’t think he’ll be able to play all fifteen guys very often, but thoroughly enjoyed it tonight.
This game wasn’t the blowout it maybe should have been, but the Mavs were partly playing for spectacle as well as for the win, and we give credit to the young Rockets for making a match of it. A grand time was had by all.
NEXT. The Mavs host Pop and his boys on Thursday night. Should be a good opportunity to put another W on the board.
The Mavs opened their home season against the division rival Houston Rockets. The Rockets are not the juggernaut of old, but have an intriguing slate of players, led by former Mavs assistant coach Stephen Silas. The Mavs were heavy favorites going into the contest.
GAME NOTES
Your Dallas Mavericks are healthy and raring to go. John Wall is out for the Rox. The entire active roster is introduced. Boban draws massive cheers, lol. KP is rocking an impressive shiner from the Raps game. The AAC is packed. Good times!
FIRST QUARTER
Mavs open the scoring with a lob-dunk by Powell. Luka stuns the Rockets with a beautiful step-back jack from downtown. 10-14 at 6:15. This Rockets team is young, but not to be taken lightly. Luka back to jawing at the refs, lol. DFS doing his best to make life tough for #2 pick Jalen Green.
THJ looking good with the reverse lay-in. Boban is on the floor! Immediately has a put-back dunk. Loud cheers ensue! Now, the Luka-Boban connection strikes again! Woo-hoo! The crowd is going nuts over Boban, who scores yet again. 22-22 at 2:25. Luka with a block! Luka and Boban combine for 15 points so far. Two scoring machines!
Oh no. Houston has an 8-0 run. Brunson breaks the drought with a score at the rim. Bullock bails the Rox out with a foul under the basket. Maxi from way back! Mavs basket at the buzzer called off for being late. 27-31 after one. Mavs shooting 22% from three.
SECOND QUARTER
Josh Green on the floor! Reggie hits a PUJIT three! Brunson takes a hard foul under the basket, apparently earns an and-one. 36-41 as Silas challenges the call. Basket good, no foul.
Bullock with another three! Keep ‘em coming, Reg! Kleber hits again. Now we’re talking! Danuel House limps off the floor and goes to the locker room. Think he stepped on someone’s foot. Maxi again! Hot shooting from the bench! 45-46 at the midpoint.
Mavs take their first lead of the quarter with a Luka and-one. 48-46. WILD airball from Christian Wood. Mavs closing the half with the starting lineup. Houston retakes the lead with a 10-2 run. 57-60 at the half.
Starters shooting 1-10 from three. Bench 5-11, with Maxi and Reggie hitting the triples. Overall, Luka is 4-12, KP 1-6. Yikes. Houston’s 11 threes have them in the lead.
THIRD QUARTER
Looks like Danuel House is out for the rest of the game with a strained foot. Luka with amazing shot over Tate. Big collision under the basket. Powell and Porter. Powell on the ground, gets up, grabbing his neck. Looks like he’s staying in. KP-DP connect! Mavs open up a 12-0 run! 69-60 at 9:32.
Jae’Sean Tate called for his fifth foul. Houston earns its first points four minutes in. Follows with a scoring burst. 73-69 at 6:42.
They are periodically showing Coach Silas on the sideline. I keep thinking I am spotting a young Denzel Washington. Brunson from the corner! Eric Gordon matches. Hardaway hits from the corner while he’s going down! Way cool! Moses Brown makes his Mavs debut! Moses draws a foul, makes one of two. Frankie enters the court. Moses blocks a shot. Frankie feeds him for a dunk! The crowd loves it! Ball is stuck above the basket. Crowd boos Christian Wood for not letting Bobi come to the rescue, lol. Boban laughing on the bench. 91-88 after three. Eleven-point lead has shrunk to three. Need to get Luka back out there, prolly. Eric Gordon has 15 points in the period.
FOURTH QUARTER
Kidd unsuccessfully challenges a foul on Maxi. An all-bench lineup starts the period. Boban with a little floater. Easy, man, easy. DFS replaces Kleber. Boban again! Be still, my heart! 103-97 at 7:50. Porzingis doubtful to return with low back tightness.
Starters back out, with Brunson replacing KP. DFS throws down with authority! KPJ teed up for staring down the official. Brunson takes the free throw. Rockets fighting to the end. Luka upset with an offensive foul call, but controls himself. Starters are wrapping this up. Mavs doing a little showboating now, lol.
Rockets fought the good fight, but the Mavs’ superior players eventually won the day, and Dallas cruised to the win in the last few minutes. 116-106
ANALYSIS
This was a fun contest. Kidd ran out all fifteen players in front of the admiring home crowd.
The Mavs shot only 28% from three. The five starters combined for four treys, but the bench accumulated eight. It was a great night for the bench in general — they combined for 52 points, 21 boards, and 15 dimes! Wow!
The Rockets’ 17 turnovers really hurt them, along with three of their starters being in foul trouble (Tate and Porter with five fouls, Wood with four).
PLAYER NOTES
DONCIC. Luka put on a show, with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists, along with 2 steals and a block He looked to be having a high old time out there, which was great to see. Really a pleasure to watch this young phenom. You’re always in it with a player of this quality. Thanks to his teammates, he was able to keep his minutes to a reasonable 34.
DFS. Doe-Doe was second in minutes with 32, and played an important role in defending the athletic young Rockets. He and Luka combined to go 1-11 from three, but we nitpick. Six and six from the Doe-ster.
THJ. Timmy added sixteen points in 30 minutes of action, on 6-12 shooting. He was second on the team in +/-, at +12, after Luka at +15. He hit some difficult shots, as usual, and operated smoothly with Luka. Had a solid defensive game, as well.
BRUNSON. Jalen served in a sixth man role again, playing 28 minutes, and shone with 11 points and a game-high 11 assists. Devin Harris revealed before the game that Brunson’s goal at this stage is to be a starting point guard in the NBA, so let’s enjoy our chance to watch him while we can.
POWELL. Dwight had 7 points and 4 boards in 25 minutes on the court, and was part of the closing unit, along with Luka, Brunson, Timmy, and Finney-Smith. He had five fouls, but managed to last out the game.
PORZINGIS. KP had 9 points and 3 boards. He was limited by back tightness, and was able to eke out only 20 minutes on the court. He was 2-10 from the floor, and was the only starter in negative figures (-4). I imagine his back problems may have contributed to that. That big black eye gave him a very warrior-like and fearsome visage. Kidd said after the game that KP's back should be okay after some rest.
BENCH. A glorious night for the reserves. Reggie impressed with 16 points, including four triples. Kidd said that he changed the game for the Mavs, so we'll keep an eye on him as he gets more games under his belt. Maxi went for 9 and 7, and had a very efficient (3-4) night from beyond the arc. Fan fave Boban was 5-5 from the field for 11 points, and delighted the crowd with his presence. Wouldn’t surprise me if he got a cameo in all the home games — such a beloved player! The other six guys all got a few minutes of burn, and combined for 5 points, 2 boards, and 2 assists.
ROCKETS. The Rox had five guys in double figures, led by Eric Gordon with 22 points off the bench. Christian Wood contributed 16 points and 17 boards, and Daniel Theis had 15 and 10. The Rockets fans have themselves a feisty young team. I don’t know how many wins they’ll manage, but they should be hella fun to watch.
OBSERVATIONS
Kidd complimented all the bigs, especially Boban and Moses. The player-council (Luka, KP, THJ) wanted him to play everyone, and he was enthusiastic. The team was informed before the game that they would all play, and Kidd commended them for keeping mum and not spoiling the surprise. Doesn’t think he’ll be able to play all fifteen guys very often, but thoroughly enjoyed it tonight.
This game wasn’t the blowout it maybe should have been, but the Mavs were partly playing for spectacle as well as for the win, and we give credit to the young Rockets for making a match of it. A grand time was had by all.
NEXT. The Mavs host Pop and his boys on Thursday night. Should be a good opportunity to put another W on the board.
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