GAME 12: DAL (8-4) @ SAS (4-8) | 123-109 win

[Mavs2021]

Things are unravelling quickly for the Thunder again. Four wins in a row and a play-in spot.

[fifteenth]

You have to first look good. And I feel like this it the first time they have looked good, regardless of competition.  

But seriously, SAS is always a well coached team, so I am encouraged by this showing either way.

Me too! Greatly encouraged. I was just thinking about the upcoming schedule and about how we'll have to beat a good team eventually

[Kammrath]

16 shot, 14 assist Luka is my favorite kind of Luka personally.

[Mavs2021]

My game clock says 3rd quarter. Spurs must enjoy that spanking and want it extended.  

Now they changed it. LOL.

[fifteenth]

How about 30/15/10 Luka? Is that ok too?

[Scott41theMavs]

KP for Murray, Vassell, and Poeltl. Who says no?

[Kammrath]

KP for Murray, Vassell, and Poetl. Who says no?

Not me! I LOVE all three of those players!

[SwisherPrice]

Great game to boost any of KP's trade value!

[Kammrath]

How about 30/15/10 Luka? Is that ok too?

I guess.....Luka just shot 4 times after I made my comment....

[Kammrath]

I liked Kidd running FN with those guys there....too bad he had two "catastrophic" turnovers in a row.... bummer.

[fifteenth]

Luka decided to get some shooting reps in the 4th. Thought he could use the extra work.

[MrGoat]

Gotta be KP for the Dirkie. He actually looked like the second option he was supposed to be tonight. First 30+ game he's had since April. That game was also against the Spurs

[Scott41theMavs]

Luka decided to get some shooting reps in the 4th. Thought he could use the extra work.

I think he kinda waved off KP a lot in the fourth quarter. C'mon, Luka, we have to raise his trade value.

[Kammrath]

KP for Murray, Vassell, and Poeltl. Who says no?

KP+JB for Murray, Vassell, and Poetl is probably more realistic.

[Kammrath]

Luka decided to get some shooting reps in the 4th

It feels like Kidd is wanting Luka to shoot less during quarters 1-3 and get the teammates involved and then giving him a green light in the 4th. I have felt that in a number of games this year.

[fifteenth]

In this game he had Luka and KP play garbage time, so it's tough to know what to make of those minutes

[Hypermav]

DP ended up with 16 minutes which was 9th most.  Likely due to the smaller SAS lineups.

[KillerLeft]

It feels like Kidd is wanting Luka to shoot less during quarters 1-3 and get the teammates involved and then giving him a green light in the 4th. I have felt that in a number of games this year.

Totally agree, and I feel like much of the offensive confusion to start games can be attributed to the entire team collectively going "ok, great - now what?"

Hopefully, this strategy will pay off over time. I saw glimpses of fine "secondary creation" work tonight by Brunson (of course), DFS, Hardaway, Porzingis and even Ntilikina. Brown was out there trying to make some things happen, even. 

I am starting to see evidence of a plan, and one that has a chance of being successful. Might be a while before it works against the GOOD teams, but at least it's starting to work against the bottom feeders. That's a start.

[Jym]

RB is going to be a hell of an addition once his three point shot comes back to 40% instead of 32%. Really love what I see in general, at some point it is going to come together.

I think he just needs a consistent role where he gets at least 25 minutes every night and he'll be way better

[burekemde]

Great game to boost any of KP's trade value!

Honestly, I dont want us to trade KP. Its clear he can be a championship piece. Just need to never post him up. Keep pick and roll with Luka and KP. Keep finding ways to get KP the ball close to the basket. Here he is unstoppable.

Finally, we used him in this game as a pivot. Getting him the ball to move the offense up. Luka would throw it to KP for the offense to get further down and he would move the ball back to Luka. That pushes the defense down and get sthe ball quicker and more reliable in the offensive positions we need. We also saw that on the inbounds, Luka would only look for KP, this is a great great way to use KP.

Defensively, he is great again, like the KP two seasons ago. He is blocking and contesting shots.

It is absolutely clear, that KP is back in shape. And when in this shape, and when used correctly on offense, he is worth to keep, also at that deal. The thing with KP is always, can he maintain that shape, can he not get injured? But if he doesnt, he is championship piece, and for that reason it can be a mistake trading him.