The Dallas Mavericks got back on the hardwood after getting some rest over the past week due to quirky Emirates NBA Cup scheduling. After a history-making night against the Warriors, the Mavs squared off against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first of back-to-back Texas showdowns, with Dallas losing 118-95 without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving out due to injury. The last time these teams met, the Mavericks were winning a First Round Playoff series. A number of key players sat out for both teams in this one. Kawhi Leonard and Terrance Mann on the Clippers’ side, joined Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the Mavericks’ side. On a positive note for the Mavs, Naji Marshall and Maxi Kleber made their returns.
The game was close throughout the first half, with neither team taking full control at any point. This trend remained in the third up until a long delay resulting in Clipper Kris Dunn being ejected for a throat-grab on Jazian Gorman. After that point, the Clippers established as much as a 16-point lead before the Mavs chipped away to end the quarter. When all was said and done, the patchwork Mavs couldn’t keep up and by the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter, the reserves were in and this one was effectively over.
I am rarely ever one for moral victories and the like, but this is a difficult game to be upset over. No Luka and no Kyrie could have easily been an unmitigated disaster. Had a few players shot even marginally closer to average, this game would have been a lot closer and may even have gone a different way. That said, this is the type of forgettable game that could pay dividends down the line, as a variety of players got some burn they otherwise would not have on a normal night. Hopefully we’ll finally see a fully healthy version of the Mavs for the rematch in a couple of nights.
Let’s get to the grades!
Spencer Dinwiddie: B-
19 Points / 3 Rebounds / 7 Assists / 3 Steals / 1 Block / 1 Turnover (37 Minutes)
Dinwiddie was basically the reason the Mavs narrowed the third quarter gap, however he shot poorly throughout the night in a game he was needed more than usual. Still, his importance is apparent, as is his intelligence. When the shots wouldn’t fall, he started driving, either finishing drives and/or getting fouled. He even got the “Real Difference Maker” shout-out on the Mavs home broadcast. He shared the ball and played very good defense, racking up a few steals and even a blocked shot.
Quentin Grimes: C+
11 Points / 5 Rebounds / 3 Assists / 1 Steal / 0 Blocks / 1 Turnover (28 Minutes)
Grimes had a bit of a funky night. He looked good in the first half, with active hands and a couple nice midrange shots, but he didn’t play all that much despite the lack of guard depth and never really found a shooting rhythm, even missing a layup in the fourth. He finished the game 3-for-8 and 1-for-4 on threes. He had a horrific -22 plus/minus to lead the team in a category where every player was in the negative.
Klay Thompson: A-
22 Points / 3 Rebounds / 3 Assists / 2 Steals / 0 Blocks / 4 Turnovers (29 Minutes)
Thompson did it all, going over 19 points for the fourth straight game. He was the offensive catalyst for the Mavs, hitting threes, midrange shots, drives, and and-ones. If these last few games are a true sign that he’s coming into his own with the Mavs, it’s reason for Mavs Nation to get excited. The only real blemishes on the night was his three-point conversion rate and too many turnovers. Still, had he not done what he did, this thing would have been a lot uglier a lot sooner.
P.J. Washington: B
14 Points / 9 Rebounds / 0 Assists / 2 Steals / 1 Block / 2 Turnovers (35 Minutes)
Washington scored in double figures for the eleventh straight game, marking the second longest such streak of his career. He was his usual self, bringing a solid defensive presence and showcasing his post-up game, though not as effectively as he has recently. He hit 3-for-4 on threes, but somehow converted on 2-for-7 from inside the arc.
Dereck Lively: A-
13 Points / 7 Rebounds / 2 Assists / 0 Steals / 3 Blocks / 2 Turnovers (28 Minutes)
It doesn’t necessarily feel like Lively should be graded this high in such a weird game that basically ended in a blowout, however Lively did everything you would expect him to. His grade is knocked for too many fouls, and for not yet figuring out someway to be more effective on the defensive end against the stronger and more seasoned Ivica Zubac, despite matching up against him plenty during his career. Otherwise, it was a highly efficient and productive night for Lively, highlighted by a nice reverse jam and 3 nice blocked shots.
Daniel Gafford: C
2 Points / 4 Rebounds / 2 Assists / 0 Steals / 0 Blocks / 1 Turnover (14 Minutes)
Gafford had a very uncharacteristic shooting night. It’s difficult to remember him missing four total shots in a game, much less being 0-for-4 for the entire game. In this writer’s humble opinion, he was fouled on three of those shots, which kept his grade from being closer to the basement, but this is one best forgotten. The one bright spot was his ability to use his big body against the Clippers’ Zubac, but he didn’t get a lot of time and didn’t add very much to this game in the time he did get.
Naji Marshall: C+
9 Points / 5 Rebounds / 1 Assist / 1 Steal / 0 Blocks / 1 Turnover (24 Minutes)
Marshall brings so much in the way of intangibles (and tangibles) to the team. Having him on the floor gives the Mavs another capable ball handler and driver. Marshall had an insane pass to Dereck Lively who finished with a reverse jam, a play that highlighted exactly what both players bring each night. That said, his shot was definitely off in his return, particularly in the first half (one miss being a desperation three from a few feet behind the line as he ended up with the hot potato with the shot clock winding down). It didn’t get much better in the second half, but hopefully he’ll be working his way back into form after a lengthy absence.
Jazian Gortman: B
5 Points / 1 Rebound / 2 Assists / 0 Steals / 0 Blocks / 1 Turnover (10 Minutes)
Gotman remains difficult to grade because he remains an unknown quantity for the most part. That said, in only 10 minutes of play, he put up a nice stat line. More importantly, he looks like he belongs on the court. A lot of players of his age and experience look like they are playing at a different pace and/or with a frenetic energy that doesn’t quite fit, but Gortman looks like he belongs. He also stepped up into the face of Kris Dunn after Dunn grabbed and pushed at his throat. For a guy who hasn’t seen much NBA action, this is notable moxie and poise, standing his ground without escalating a situation.
