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The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night, 120-116. Kevin Durant poured in 29 for Golden State while Wesley Matthews scored 25 for the Mavericks in defeat.
Dallas came out firing early and kept the Warriors at bay for the entire first half, led by Luka Doncic in the first quarter and followed by the entire team in the second. The Mavericks took a three point lead from the first quarter into the half, 61-58.
Golden State kept coming though and a third quarter lead for the Mavericks fell apart in the final minutes. The Warriors caught fire in the fourth and quickly built a double digit lead that went as high as 18. Dallas fought all the way back and closed to within one point in the final minute before a Kevin Durant three sealed the game. Dallas fell to Golden State, 120-116.
Some things:
This isn’t fair to Dirk
There’s growing chatter everywhere I look about Dirk. All of its fair. He looks his age, he’s getting targeted relentlessly, and the bench has fallen apart during his return. I’m honestly not sure what to write, in no small part because he’s started the last several seasons terribly because he’s old.
But this is also a brutal stretch to try to re-intergrate the old warship. The Kings and Nuggets both play fast, the Clippers play a deep bench and Warriors are the freaking Warriors.
I think he’ll come around at some point but the West is brutal. Dallas may need to pick their spots with usage.
Wesley Matthews, good three point shooter
This isn’t something new. When given good shots where he’s catching and firing it works for him and for Dallas.
Please stop the post ups though. They hurt me.
Harrison Barnes has to trust the process
Barnes played an okay game, scoring 17 and grabbing six boards. He did miss all seven three point attempts and I’m sure that frustrates both Barnes and fans alike. But the Mavericks need Barnes to hit those kind of shots so he should feel fully confident in taking them.
Maybe one day this year or next both Barnes and Matthews will hit shots on the same night!