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

[Reunion Mav]

End of game basket by Collins was inexcusable and Luka's explanation is crap. Why are professionals looking at the bench with a live ball and a tied score? They should know what to do by now. Is Kidd trying to win the game from the coaches box?

I will note that some of the strangest Mav games happen in SLC. Even going back to the Dirk era. Be it officiating, Utah bench players going off, physical play disrupting game flow, weather delays, you name it. I kind of had a little bell ringing in my head that a win last night would be harder than anticipated, but I was hoping to be proven wrong.

The Utah thing goes all the way back to Derek Harper. History has not been good.

[Scott41theMavs]

I am an Exum fan and was bummed he got hurt.  I have not been impressed with Din at all.  Last year, I wanted more Exum, not less.  I am afraid his body is not suited for big minutes and Kidd’s lack of confidence in him in the playoffs is something.  But I think for the role we need, he is the best fit.  If we assume Gtimes and Marshall is playing 20-25 minutes a night.  I view the backup point as a glue guy who sometimes plays 10 minutes and then sometimes plays 20 when he gets in a grove or you want to rest a player longer.  Exum is a connector and did a lot of the small things last year.  I really don’t even care if he doesn’t look to shoot outside of open threes and layups.  His value is he is good at the small stuff playing off a star.

If the Mavs don’t have confidence in Exum, I would seriously consider releasing Din for a guy like Fultz.  That is probably too spur of the moment but at this point I don’t want him in a big game.

Glad to see someone believes in Exum. He deserved a bit longer leash in the playoffs based on his regular season play in spite of the bashing.