GAME 37: DAL (21-16) @ SAS (12-24) | 126-125 win

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/MavsPR/status/1608925193870639104

[DanSchwartzgan]

Today begins a week of interesting center matchups for Wood.  Big centers in Poeltl and Valanciunas today and next Saturday.  In between, the more mobile guys from Boston.  One thing about it, if he holds up well, some of this ‘well the competition…’ talk can start to end.

Indy win over LAC provides an opportunity to move into 4th.

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/MavsPR/status/1609332517336920066

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/IsaacLHarris/status/...3941516289

[cow]

Luka is on one to ring in the new year.

[Kammrath]

One rebound at half for Luka? Outlier.

[F Gump]

One rebound at half for Luka? Outlier.

Not really, when the Mavs aren't playing a lick of defense. There are only a few defensive rebounds available (Mavs as an entire team have 11 at the half).

[Kammrath]

I guarantee Luka heard Pop say they were going to hold him under 50 and said to himself...

[cow]

Frank's offense is nice tonight.

[dirkfansince1998]

First rebound of the quarter with less than five minutes on the clock. Spurs +21 on the boards.

[dirkfansince1998]

SD and Wood passing up good looks. Getting bailed out by Frank. Crazy stuff.

[Kammrath]

I guarantee Luka heard Pop say they were going to hold him under 50 and said to himself...

[dirkfansince1998]

Best inbound defense of the season. There is hope for Kidd.

[dirkfansince1998]

Best inbound defense of the season. There is hope for Kidd.

Too early. Inserting Bertans into the lineup for rebounding.

[Chicagojk]

Can a 50 point Luka game not be enjoyable?  I say yes.  That was a slog.

Teams need to learn you need the Mavs to make free throws.  Best team 8n the league when they need to miss them.

Happy new year!

[ThisIStheYear]

Bertans should not have been in the game in that situation. He’s such a clumsy oaf.  Kidd dodged a bullet.  Didn’t need to though. Should have played Wood, who had an excellent game, more minutes. Sometimes I think Kidd coaches in a similar way to a runner wearing leg weights as a training tool.

[KillerLeft]

Best inbound defense of the season. There is hope for Kidd.

That was a great moment for Hardaway, who almost single-handedly forced that timeout. 

He also locked down Johnson, 1-on-1 in space, at the 124-122 mark. That was huge. He continues to play better on ball defense than he gets credit for. 

Now, that Shaqtin moment when he dribbled up the court under pressure instead of calling timeout and turned it over? No idea what he was thinking there. Good grief!

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

Bertans should not have been in the game in that situation. He’s such a clumsy oaf.  Kidd dodged a bullet.  Didn’t need to though. Should have played Wood, who had an excellent game, more minutes. Sometimes I think Kidd coaches in a similar way to a runner wearing leg weights as a training tool.

Didn't get why Wood was subbed out.
I'd assume it's defense.
But..
I didn't see how much better the defense was with DP during that stretch, and Kidd just took out his best rebounding big for a big who averages 4 a game.
If DP hadn't fouled out, Wood would have been a situational sub for rebounds.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

Now, that Shaqtin moment when he dribbled up the court under pressure instead of calling timeout and turned it over? No idea what he was thinking there. Good grief!

One other instance..
When I saw THJ taking on Poeltel on a break, I expected a missed layup.

And I was right.

This happens a lot.
If Green is a monster on fastbreaks, THJ is the opposite.

[Branduil]

Maybe confirmation bias but I feel like THJ is one of the least clutch players I've ever seen. If he's not turning the ball over he's bricking free throws he should make. Even in that crazy comeback he bricked his three-point attempt so badly Luka got the rebound and putback.