GAME 2: UTA (1-1) vs. DAL (1-1)| 104-110 WIN!!!!!

[SleepingHero]

[Kammrath]

[Paul Gasol]

I have a feeling this ain’t gonna be pretty… but I sure do hope this negativity gets rubbed in my face later!

[ItsGoTime]

I predict that OP pic is our starting 5.

[Kammrath]

I predict that OP pic is our starting 5.

That would be amazing. DB as the 5 really puts pressure on UTA defensively. I think it would be an incredible move.

[SleepingHero]

Given how Bertans was only used when Gobert was off the floor it tells me that Kidd doesn't want to put him in any situation where he has to box out Gobert.

[SleepingHero]

https://twitter.com/coopmavs/status/1516041798283665408

https://analyticsdev.refratings.com/wiki/ed-malloy/

During the 2019-2020 season when Malloy is the main referee the home team wins slightly over 51% of the time with a negligible point differential, over 225 points per game and under 40 fouls called per game. This puts Malloy in the lower end of overall fouls and supports his reputation as a ref who lets them play. When Malloy is the main referee teams have an even split on calls. When Malloy is part of the crew, the home team wins 67% of the time with a sizable 5 point differential and again, under 40 fouls per game. The road team however is called for over 52% of the fouls.

Ed Malloy is atop the list of most missed calls in the final two minutes according to the NBA’s “Two-Minute” report. His missed calls fall mostly fall into the category of “letting them play,” in crunch time. Although he is seen as a trusted veteran in officiating circles, he is the worst in the clutch. So how does he keep getting the nod to ref some of the NBA’s biggest match-ups? 

https://analyticsdev.refratings.com/wiki...-kirkland/

During the 2019-2020 season when Kirkland was the main official home and road teams split wins with the home team with a -3.2 point differential, overall points were over 223, 40 fouls called per day and fouls were called evenly between home and away teams. When Kirkland was a part of the crew, home and road again split, with a 1.9 point differential for the home team, nearly 42 fouls called per game and nearly even calls for home and road teams.

https://analyticsdev.refratings.com/wiki/david-guthrie/

Key stats
Home Team Win %: 0.58

Home Team Win Differential :2.3

[michaeltex]

Given how Bertans was only used when Gobert was off the floor it tells me that Kidd doesn't want to put him in any situation where he has to box out Gobert.

Don't know why it matters since nobody else was boxing out Gobert last game.

But, IF, DB can hit enough shots to make Rudy play honest, then there might be enough offensive boost to offset the defensive issues.

[SleepingHero]

Don't know why it matters since nobody else was boxing out Gobert last game.

But, IF, DB can hit enough shots to make Rudy play honest, then there might be enough offensive boost to offset the defensive issues.

I can see it. But also for whatever reason Bertans never seems to be a priority within the offense while he's out there. I would blame JB and Dinwiddie for their lack of playmaking, but I saw the same with Luka during the regular season.

Now that's a simple fix of just drawing up a simple play like a staggered screen or even an elevator screen to get Bertans open. The question is do we want to make Bertans a focus of the offense?

[SleepingHero]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUS4vUh4M6I

Would love something like this ran for Bertans. He has a quick enough release to make it work.

[ItsGoTime]

Given how Bertans was only used when Gobert was off the floor it tells me that Kidd doesn't want to put him in any situation where he has to box out Gobert.

Yep, I'm just thinking of adjustments to what didn't work last game. Gobert was constantly able to play the lane all game due to being able to guard 1 of Green or Powell. Put three 3 point shooters in and maybe you open up the lane more, or have an open 3 point shooter to pass to.

[michaeltex]

Would love something like this ran for Bertans. He has a quick enough release to make it work.

I agree, but is DB a better below-the-break shooter? Can he make the top of the arc shots consistently?

[SleepingHero]

I agree, but is DB a better below-the-break shooter? Can he make the top of the arc shots consistently?

It's a good question. Here's Davis' shooting stats since he came into the league

2016-17
Left corner 3: 56.3% (0.3 FGA)
Right corner 3: 40.0% (0.4 FGA)
Above the break 3: 38.2% (2.2 FGA) 

2017-18:

Left corner 3: 41.7% (0.2 FGA)

Right corner 3: 54.2% (0.4 FGA)

Above the break 3: 35.3% (3.0 FGA)

2018-19:
Left corner 3: 47.8% (0.3 FGA)
Right corner 3: 68.0% (0.4 FGA)
Above the break 3: 40.8% (3.8 FGA)

2019-20:
Left corner 3: 47.4% (0.4 FGA)
Right corner 3: 63.2% (0.4 FGA)
Above the break 3: 41.3% (8.0 FGA)

2020-21:
Left corner 3: 45.7% (0.6 FGA)
Right corner 3: 40.0% (0.5 FGA)
Above the break 3: 39.2% (6.3 FGA)

2021-22:
Left corner 3: 40.0% (0.6 FGA)
Right corner 3: 59.1% (0.5 FGA)
Above the break 3: 29.4% (3.2 FGA)

So outside of this year, he's been a LETHAL 3pt shooter everywhere. He's also much better for his career shooting with no dribbles versus taking 1 or 2.

[SleepingHero]

https://twitter.com/MavsPR/status/151579...DNmIkqAAAA

[cow]

I'm not sure what the bigger differential will be this game, rebounding or the score.  I bet both are north of 15.

[MrGoat]

I wonder if Utah will pull their heads out of their asses this time or if they will putz around again and give us another chance kind of like they did last time or how Milwaukee did against Chicago. I'm hoping they keep their heads safely insulated in that brown space so a Luka return really brings hope.

[DrMav]

Going down by 2 games at home would be a really tough pill to swallow, even if Luka did come back 100% for Game 3. Must win game

[SleepingHero]

https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status...2136450051

[HoosierDaddyKid]

They need to get this split, before you can even think about bringing him back for game 3. Who's going to be the hero?

[SleepingHero]

Remember when we went up 2-0 on the home court against a fully healthy Clippers?

Yeah. A series can turn very quick. As long as Luka comes back within a reasonable time and is healthy the Mavs shouldn't be counted out until the clock hits 0.00 in the final game of the series.