Luka-Less Mavs Demolish Sixers in Philadelphia
Second home loss of season has Philly fans booing their team.
Game Story and Analytics
Luka was still out with his ankle issue. Seth and Wright were listed as questionable, with a sore back and a fractured finger, respectively, but both were able to play. Philly had a full crew.
The Sixers began the game by building an 8-point lead, but lost it for good to a Hardaway three at the 3:37 mark in the first quarter. The Mavs accumulated a 17-point advantage in the second, but Philly went on a run in the last three minutes of the period to close out the half six points down. The Mavericks slowly built up to a double-digit lead during the third, and went into the fourth with an 11-point edge. Dallas remained in control the entire fourth quarter.
On the statistical side, the Sixers' 7-shot advantage in field goal attempts was outweighed by the Mavs' superior three-point shooting (42%-29%) and 5-point margin in made free throws. They were +12 on points from threes, +5 on points from free throws, and +2 on points from twos. The visiting Mavs held their own on the glass against the #1 rebounding team in the league. Dallas also held the City of Brotherly Love to 38 PIP, while scoring 48 of their own.
The Sixers lost their last game to the Heat when Spoelstra switched to a zone defense. Rick Carlisle, never one to miss a trick, took note. He said after the game that he knew the team would have to resort to the zone sooner or later, because the matchup was so unfavorable to the Mavs. He broke it out four minutes in, to notable success. Brett Brown, in his postgame presser, said he thought his team had been confused and depressed by the zone, and he needs to get them more ready to play against this type of defense. Kudos to Carlisle for his strategy, and for the team for executing!
Players
Porzingis (37 min). KP had a MONSTER game, being the team's second-leading scorer with 22 points on respectable 10-19 shooting. He added a career-high 18 rebounds, a steal, 3 massive blocks, and numerous shot-altering moves. In Luka's absence, he put the team on his shoulders, and was aggressive on the offensive end, driving hard to the basket and confidently taking advantage of his opportunities. In New York, KP also stuffed the stat sheet, but his team was terrible. Applying his considerable abilities in Carlisle's system has enabled him to be a player who makes his teammates better, a key attribute of a superstar. I feel a bit ridiculous continuing to say that a game was KP's best as a Mav, but I think I have to do it again, as Porzee's development takes a rocketing trajectory.
Rick described KP's game as "spectacular," including rebounding, rim protection, putting points on the board, and making the system work. With Luka out, the players are operating more off ball movement and player movement, Zinger is acquiring a good feel for it, and his teammates are proving diligent about finding him.
Hardaway (32 min). Hardaway was brilliant in stretches here, stepping up to help fill Luka's huge scoring shoes. Mark Followill described Tim's first quarter as "volcanic," when he went off for 19 points and was unstoppable. He resumed putting points up later in the game and ended as the team's leading scorer with 27 points, including 7-11 3PTAs. When he is on a hot streak, he's a veritable scoring tornado!
Brunson (25 minutes). Jalen shared point guard duties about equally with Wright, and competently managed the game. He recorded 11 points (5-9) and 7 assists, with only 2 turnovers. Carlisle's offensive system is predicated on excellent point guard play, and the sophomore appears to be stepping up.
Maxi. Maxi had 10 points and 7 rebounds in 23 minutes. Perhaps most exciting was watching him battle with Joel Embiid. Three times, he took the Cameroonian off the dribble, and scored! Particularly satisfying was Maximus stuffing the basket in Embiid's face. Yay! Ced noted that Kleber's superior footwork enabled him to get around Embiid, and opined that Philly's center is not used to guarding other big men who take him on in that way. Go Maxi!
Bench. Seth went on a little scoring burst later in the game, registering all of his 11 points in the second half. The Accountant made an 18-minute appearance, and put up 8 points, including a dramatic three off a Wright steal to beat the first-quarter buzzer. Boban was sighted for 5 minutes, and the Sixers fans gave their former player a warm ovation.
Embiid. Joel burned the Mavs with 33 points and 17 boards, but looked out of sorts, notwithstanding. Harp called him out for not making his teammates more effective. At the post-game interview, his body language was dispirited, as he seemed bewildered at why his team is losing, and felt they were "playing scared."
Random Observations
The home fans were none too pleased with their team's limp displays against Dallas, booing them off the floor at a few junctures, and leaving early. Heh-heh-heh.
Former Mavs Michael Finley and Shawn Marion were nominated to the Naismith Hall of Fame today. Congratulations, Fin and Matrix!
Remarks
Coach. Carlisle was extremely proud of his side. He thought a key to the game was to come out with force, and he loved the team's great start. The team played together very well, and displayed intelligence and communication skills in executing the zone defense. He liked the level of aggression throughout the game. Thought "virtually all" of his squad played well. Carlisle tends to be stingy with praise, so this was an effusive night from him.
My impressions. This was such an exciting game to watch. Porzingis' re-emergence as a star. The role players communicating and defending so well. Different players stepping up at different points in the game. Ferocious effort. Opponent-exhausting pace. Without Luka. So much confidence against one of the East's best-performing teams!
Analysts. Dana and Ced's takeaway: This Mavericks team is for real!
Next. Toronto in Canada on Sunday afternoon. Toronto is one of the East's giants, but has been decimated by injuries, with Gasol, Siakam, and Powell expected to be out for them. Luka is not expected to play.
On a personal front, I will have family in for the holidays through the rest of the year. I am not sure how much Mavs I will be able to watch or write about during that time. So I may or may not be able to do some or any of the postgame reports. I'll do the best I can. Meantime, hope everyone has a very happy holiday season!
Go Mavs!
Second home loss of season has Philly fans booing their team.
Game Story and Analytics
Luka was still out with his ankle issue. Seth and Wright were listed as questionable, with a sore back and a fractured finger, respectively, but both were able to play. Philly had a full crew.
The Sixers began the game by building an 8-point lead, but lost it for good to a Hardaway three at the 3:37 mark in the first quarter. The Mavs accumulated a 17-point advantage in the second, but Philly went on a run in the last three minutes of the period to close out the half six points down. The Mavericks slowly built up to a double-digit lead during the third, and went into the fourth with an 11-point edge. Dallas remained in control the entire fourth quarter.
On the statistical side, the Sixers' 7-shot advantage in field goal attempts was outweighed by the Mavs' superior three-point shooting (42%-29%) and 5-point margin in made free throws. They were +12 on points from threes, +5 on points from free throws, and +2 on points from twos. The visiting Mavs held their own on the glass against the #1 rebounding team in the league. Dallas also held the City of Brotherly Love to 38 PIP, while scoring 48 of their own.
The Sixers lost their last game to the Heat when Spoelstra switched to a zone defense. Rick Carlisle, never one to miss a trick, took note. He said after the game that he knew the team would have to resort to the zone sooner or later, because the matchup was so unfavorable to the Mavs. He broke it out four minutes in, to notable success. Brett Brown, in his postgame presser, said he thought his team had been confused and depressed by the zone, and he needs to get them more ready to play against this type of defense. Kudos to Carlisle for his strategy, and for the team for executing!
Players
Porzingis (37 min). KP had a MONSTER game, being the team's second-leading scorer with 22 points on respectable 10-19 shooting. He added a career-high 18 rebounds, a steal, 3 massive blocks, and numerous shot-altering moves. In Luka's absence, he put the team on his shoulders, and was aggressive on the offensive end, driving hard to the basket and confidently taking advantage of his opportunities. In New York, KP also stuffed the stat sheet, but his team was terrible. Applying his considerable abilities in Carlisle's system has enabled him to be a player who makes his teammates better, a key attribute of a superstar. I feel a bit ridiculous continuing to say that a game was KP's best as a Mav, but I think I have to do it again, as Porzee's development takes a rocketing trajectory.
Rick described KP's game as "spectacular," including rebounding, rim protection, putting points on the board, and making the system work. With Luka out, the players are operating more off ball movement and player movement, Zinger is acquiring a good feel for it, and his teammates are proving diligent about finding him.
Hardaway (32 min). Hardaway was brilliant in stretches here, stepping up to help fill Luka's huge scoring shoes. Mark Followill described Tim's first quarter as "volcanic," when he went off for 19 points and was unstoppable. He resumed putting points up later in the game and ended as the team's leading scorer with 27 points, including 7-11 3PTAs. When he is on a hot streak, he's a veritable scoring tornado!
Brunson (25 minutes). Jalen shared point guard duties about equally with Wright, and competently managed the game. He recorded 11 points (5-9) and 7 assists, with only 2 turnovers. Carlisle's offensive system is predicated on excellent point guard play, and the sophomore appears to be stepping up.
Maxi. Maxi had 10 points and 7 rebounds in 23 minutes. Perhaps most exciting was watching him battle with Joel Embiid. Three times, he took the Cameroonian off the dribble, and scored! Particularly satisfying was Maximus stuffing the basket in Embiid's face. Yay! Ced noted that Kleber's superior footwork enabled him to get around Embiid, and opined that Philly's center is not used to guarding other big men who take him on in that way. Go Maxi!
Bench. Seth went on a little scoring burst later in the game, registering all of his 11 points in the second half. The Accountant made an 18-minute appearance, and put up 8 points, including a dramatic three off a Wright steal to beat the first-quarter buzzer. Boban was sighted for 5 minutes, and the Sixers fans gave their former player a warm ovation.
Embiid. Joel burned the Mavs with 33 points and 17 boards, but looked out of sorts, notwithstanding. Harp called him out for not making his teammates more effective. At the post-game interview, his body language was dispirited, as he seemed bewildered at why his team is losing, and felt they were "playing scared."
Random Observations
The home fans were none too pleased with their team's limp displays against Dallas, booing them off the floor at a few junctures, and leaving early. Heh-heh-heh.
Former Mavs Michael Finley and Shawn Marion were nominated to the Naismith Hall of Fame today. Congratulations, Fin and Matrix!
Remarks
Coach. Carlisle was extremely proud of his side. He thought a key to the game was to come out with force, and he loved the team's great start. The team played together very well, and displayed intelligence and communication skills in executing the zone defense. He liked the level of aggression throughout the game. Thought "virtually all" of his squad played well. Carlisle tends to be stingy with praise, so this was an effusive night from him.
My impressions. This was such an exciting game to watch. Porzingis' re-emergence as a star. The role players communicating and defending so well. Different players stepping up at different points in the game. Ferocious effort. Opponent-exhausting pace. Without Luka. So much confidence against one of the East's best-performing teams!
Analysts. Dana and Ced's takeaway: This Mavericks team is for real!
Next. Toronto in Canada on Sunday afternoon. Toronto is one of the East's giants, but has been decimated by injuries, with Gasol, Siakam, and Powell expected to be out for them. Luka is not expected to play.
On a personal front, I will have family in for the holidays through the rest of the year. I am not sure how much Mavs I will be able to watch or write about during that time. So I may or may not be able to do some or any of the postgame reports. I'll do the best I can. Meantime, hope everyone has a very happy holiday season!
Go Mavs!