Stats Rundown: 3 numbers that help explain why the Dallas Mavericks stumbled against the Denver Nuggets

The Dallas Mavericks lost after the Denver Nuggets attempted to hand them the game Monday night, falling 117-113. If you want to read about the finer points in the loss, click here to see the recap. Here’s where we’re going to talk about the statistical reference points which led to Dallas fumbling away a game they needed to steal.

12: Total rebounds from Dallas centers and power forwards

It’s time to go scorched Earth. Kristaps Porzingis played 33 minutes and secured just six rebounds. He watched numerous boards come towards him on the defensive end only to see them slapped away at the last moment. Starting center Willie Cauley-Stein played 27 minutes to secure just three rebounds. James Johnson technically played some forward and grabbed just three board. Boban Marjanovich secured zero boards, but at least he has the excuse of playing just three minutes.

What in the sweet hell is Willie DOING here? This happened repeatedly, where the former lottery pick would just be standing around the rim not grabbing rebounds and also not boxing anyone out.

15: That’s how many more team rebounds the Nuggets secured than Dallas

If you’re curious as to whether or not I’m going to beat a drum to death the answer us yes. Luka Doncic grabbed 11 rebounds by himself, so that means eight other Dallas Mavericks players grabbed just 25 rebounds in regulation. Pathetic.

Andre Drummond isn’t going to be a Maverick unless the Cavaliers just give him away but this kind of nonsense from NBA players is why I sympathize with the thirst for a player who will just go get the ball.

The Mavericks aren’t able to practice much and that has to be why the team has so many ridiculous lapses, like giving up 14 offensive rebounds, but come on.

0: Second half free throws for Luka Doncic

This isn’t why Dallas lost the game, but if you’re telling me Doncic earned TEN free throw attempts in the first half and zero in the second half? Well there’s no other way to slice it than to say that’s some nonsense.

At least the Mavericks shot 83% from the line as a team.

What a ridiculous loss.

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.