Game 12: Dallas (5-6) @ Utah (2-8), 11/14, 8:00 PM

[KillerLeft]

Here comes the tank portion of the game for Utah. They don’t even want to win this game.

The players do, obviously. To your point, it will be interesting to see how the coach chooses to substitute down the stretch.

[Chicagojk]

Two conflicting sides. Jazz seeing cooper Flagg dreams vs mavs late game execution problems. Who will win out? Or should i say lose?

[KillerLeft]

Every single time Harper has ever said “got him” I know a brick is about to happen.

[ThisIStheYear]

I disagree. Foul trouble was definitely an issue for him in this one, but he hasn’t actually been particularly foul prone during his career, so far, and if he doesn’t learn how to start, then he isn’t the player everyone here “knows” him to be.

Besides, it is crystal clear that Gafford isn’t good enough to be on some sort of equal pedestal with him. This team should be about the business of developing the 30 to 35 minutes per night version of lively. There might be growing pains, sure, but that’s the goal.

I don’t think he should be on an equal pedestal. What matters is who closes, not who starts. I just think Lively plays better when he can ease into the game.

[KillerLeft]

Also, regarding the conversation about lively from earlier, even though he was not able to play much in this game, he is one of the main reasons this has become a game here in the fourth.

[KillerLeft]

I don’t think he should be on an equal pedestal. What matters is who closes, not who starts. I just think Lively plays better when he can ease into the game.

Sure, but that’s a Band-Aid. What they need is a version who can play 35 minutes a game and potentially make an All-Star team. Can’t do that if you baby him and coddle him.

[KillerLeft]

lol, Harper: “that’s good.”

Hardy bricks, obviously

[KillerLeft]

Credit for fighting back, but it seems they can’t even win a clutch game against the worst team in the Western Conference.

[KillerLeft]

Unless Utah does something stupid, like send a double team off of Klay Thompson

[ThisIStheYear]

Sure, but that’s a Band-Aid. What they need is a version who can play 35 minutes a game and potentially make an All-Star team. Can’t do that if you baby him and coddle him.

Won’t happen if he gets a bad rep with the refs either. He doesn’t have respect yet.  He’s still young. He’ll be all that in a couple of years.

[Chicagojk]

Wow Luka. Terrible

[ThisIStheYear]

Luka’s man, of course.

[KillerLeft]

Won’t happen if he gets a bad rep with the refs either. He doesn’t have respect yet.  He’s still young. He’ll be all that in a couple of years.

See, I think he’s one of the most respected defenders at the 5 in the NBA. Everybody watched the playoffs last year, not just us.

I think you are just overreacting to one foul trouble sort of game, but I get it. Tonight was super frustrating.

[KillerLeft]

Luka’s man, of course.

Yeah, even the broadcasters are covering for him. Kind of disgusting, in my opinion.

[ThisIStheYear]

That’s a shock loss. Another one on Luka. Can’t have a mental breakdown like that on both ends in the last 10 seconds. Mavs are toast. No team ever with this pattern of losses has ever succeeded. Time to shake things up. And for all those players sitting this one out with a little ache or pain, F you. Man up.

[KillerLeft]

Time to panic yet?

[Chicagojk]

Luka had his moments but man was his defense bad for most of the night. No exposion either. Right now it is bully ball and grit. Just not a major winning player now. So many things need to improve. When you are the best player you get the glory. He also get the blame.

[KillerLeft]

That is one of the worst losses I can remember. They have lost to bad teams a lot over the last couple of years, but I can’t remember one that happened when they needed to win this badly.

[Reunion Mav]

No!!!!!

[JamesConway912]

Harp needs to shut up. That wasn’t Lively‘s man.