Mavericks vs. Hornets: Dallas Loses 108-94

The Mavs lost to the Charlotte Hornets tonight 108-94 in what was easily their worst performance of the fledgling season. Prior to the game it was made know that Chandler Parsons wouldn't start, and, more importantly, wouldn't play in the first half. Speculation ran wild, but it was eventually unearthed that Parsons would get his limited time in the second half.

The first quarter saw Dallas get a healthy dose of Al Jefferson, who shot 5-6 from the floor for 11 points, as the Hornets led after one 27-23. Defensively the Mavericks seemed to struggle, as Charlotte shot 50% from the floor. This may be an early-season theme until Wes and Parsons are completely healthy.

The Mavs' sloppy play continued into the second quarter, as Charlotte extended their lead to ten at the 8:27 mark., forcing Rick Carlisle to call a timeout. To that point, Dallas had been out-rebounded 17-11. Out of the Dallas timeout a nice curl play resulted in a Dwight Powell dunk to cut the deficit to eight. Following a Dirk jumper and a Matthews three, J.J. Barea and Powell connected on an ally oop to cut the Hornets' lead to 3, 41-38. That was the beginning of a 16-4 run that put Dallas ahead 47-45 with under three minutes remaining in the half. A back and forth final two minutes saw the Hornets take a 54-53 lead heading into the half.

As expected Chandler Parsons started the third quarter alongside Dirk, Zaza, Wes, and Deron Williams. He hit his first shot of the night to push Dallas to within one in the first few minutes of the quarter. Charlotte responded by pushing their lead to 62-57.

Dallas' shooting deserted them in the third, as they shot just 2-for-14 from the floor, as the Hornets grew their lead back to 12, before a Dwight Powell basket stopped the bleeding with 4:40 left in the quarter. Dallas couldn't do much to cut into Charlotte's lead, though, as the Hornets lead at the end of the third 78-67. Dallas shot 5-22 from the floor in the quarter, scoring just 14 points.

Things got worse before they got better as the Hornets opened up a 16-point lead in the first minute of the fourth quarter, while Dallas continued to struggle from the floor. With about 8:46 left in the fourth quarter, Deron Williams was whistled for a very hard foul on Cody Zeller. It was ruled a flagrant 1, despite looking like a rather clean, hard foul. Nothing would inspire the Mavericks on this night, though, as Charlotte almost immediately extended their lead to 20, and never looked back.

Five Mavericks wound up with double-digit points on the night, as Deron Williams led the way with 15, Dirk, Powell, and Pachulia all had 14, and Matthews had 11. Pachulia collected his third double double of the year, pulling down 10 rebounds as well.

Al Jefferson lead the Hornets with 31 points and Marvin Williams recorded a 17-point, 12-rebound double double. Charlotte shot 49.4% from the floor as a team, and outrebounded Dallas 48-44. The Mavericks have Friday off before playing host to the New Orleans Pelicans, who have yet to win a game this season.