Stats Rundown: 3 numbers from the Dallas Mavericks 118-99 loss to the Charlotte Hornets

After a historic 51 point victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks could not duplicate the shooting nor the defense to muster out a win in their first game at home. A 30 point third quarter propelled the Charlotte Hornets to a 19 point win in Dallas.

Lamelo Ball led the way for Charlotte with 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. Tim Hardaway Jr. led Dallas with 18 points on 7 for 10 shooting. Luka Doncic had his worst game of the 2021 season thus far, scoring only 12 points. The Mavericks lost 118-99 and it was not fun.

12: The amount of points the Mavericks scored in the third quarter

Charlotte rattled off 16 points in a row to open the second half, and they never looked back. They ultimately scored 30 in the period, while the Mavericks could only manage to put up 12. Even the Clippers scored more points than that in the first two quarters against the Mavs on Sunday, scoring 13 and 14 points respectively. Dallas threw 24 shots at the rim in the third period, and saw only 4 go in. That equates to 17% from the field which, last time I checked, is not very good. It is especially not good when the Hornets shoot 11 for 20 from the field and 5 for 10 from three in the same quarter. This was the only quarter so far this season where Dallas has scored less than 20 points.

28.6: The percentage the Mavericks shot from three

This percentage is somewhat deceiving, as all players not named Maxi Kleber combined to shoot 8 for 37 from beyond the arc. Maxi’s 4 threes in 5 attempts, which all came in the opening frame, inflated the Mavericks’ three-point percentage from 21.6% to 28.6%. They say your team goes as your best player goes, and Luka Doncic is no outlier to Dallas’ poor shooting. In fact, he may be the prime contributor. Doncic is now 2 of 21 from beyond the arc on the year, shooting the three at a pathetic 9.5% clip. The jump shot he so adamantly claimed to have worked on in the short offseason has been non-existent through 4 games this year.

13: The number of offensive rebounds the Mavericks collected

Amidst Dallas’ disappointing third loss, I managed to find a stat that is somewhat encouraging. After only managing to grab nine offensive rebounds in their first two games combined, the Mavericks have now grabbed double-digit boards on the offensive end in their last two contests. 13, a season high, was the number tonight and it was one of the only bright spots from an otherwise bleak Wednesday night. They gave themselves plenty of second chances, they just could not convert. When you shoot 39.1% from the floor, it might not matter how many additional possessions you get.

Here’s the postgame podcast, Mavs Moneyball After Dark. If you can’t see the embed below “More from Mavs Moneyball”, click here. And if you haven’t yet, subscribe by searching “Mavs Moneyball podcast” into your favorite podcast app.