Mavs Moneyball - Gameday: Dallas Mavericks at Toronto RaptorsRick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2015-12-23T11:08:08-06:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/104111972015-12-23T11:08:08-06:002015-12-23T11:08:08-06:00Carlisle calls out Mavericks' lack of effort
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A clearly frustrated Carlisle said he'd get rid of players who aren't meeting his expectations.</p> <p>Calling the first half effort "embarrassing," <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> coach <span>Rick Carlisle</span> went scorched earth in his post-game media session after his team lost 103-99 to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a> on Tuesday.</p>
<p>"Look, if it's going to be like that, these guys aren't going to be Mavericks very long," <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14426215/mavs-coach-rick-carlisle-blasts-players-vows-changes-loss">Carlisle told ESPN Dallas' Tim MacMahon.</a> "I can promise you that."</p>
<p>After quickly going down 11-2, Carlisle went to his bench early against the Raptors -- but it didn't matter. The Mavericks lost the quarter 32-16 and were only able to shave three points off the deficit, heading into halftime trailing by 13.</p>
<p>While Dallas cut into the lead in the third quarter, Toronto pulled away in the fourth. The final score ended up being much closer when a bench lineup closed within two points with 11 seconds to play, but the starters and main rotation players had little to do with that.</p>
<p>"Wow," <span>Chandler Parsons</span> told MacMahon when shown Carlisle's quote. "We've got to play harder. (Carlisle's) going to be here at least five more years. He just signed an extension. Nothing here is unconditional. We're paid to play hard and compete every single night. When nights like this happen, when we don't lay it all on the line, words are going to be said like that."</p>
<p>Dirk, the face of the Mavericks' franchise, seemed less concerned about Carlisle's comments.</p>
<p>"I've got nothing to say about that," Nowitzki told MacMahon. "We fought at the end and came up short. Hopefully, we'll have a better game tomorrow."</p>
<p>Even though the Mavericks have been exceeding the expectations of most analysts around the league, sitting No. 5 in the Western Conference with a 15-13 record, Carlisle won't stand for what he sees as a lack of effort. Even if it's a harmless threat, his words were clearly meant as a motivator for a team that he thinks could be performing even better.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/12/23/10659090/rick-carlisle-guys-arent-going-to-be-mavs-very-long-if-poor-effortTim Cato2015-12-22T21:07:50-06:002015-12-22T21:07:50-06:00Mavericks fall to Raptors 103-99
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<figcaption>Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Mavs started poorly, struggled rebounding and had offensive issues. A valiant comeback by the Mavs' garbage time lineup almost overcame all that, but fell just short.The result? A disappointing road loss to an injured Raptors squad. </p> <p>That was...weird? Despite having three days of rest since their last game, the Mavs came out flat on the road against the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Raptors</a>. <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> helped make up some ground in the third quarter, but the Raptors went up big again. The Mavs garbage-time lineup actually made it a game at the end, but the deficit the Mavs' faced was simply too much to overcome, resulting in a 103-99 Dallas loss.</p>
<h4><span>Bad start helps doom Mavs</span></h4>
<p>Nothing went right for Dallas early. The Raptors ripped off a 14-2 run to start the game and Dallas ended the first quarter down 32-16, shooting 28 percent from the field and 25 percent from three. Toronto, meanwhile, shot 60 percent (!) overall in the first quarter.</p>
<p><span>Rick Carlisle</span> searched for a spark once the Mavs fell behind 14-2, going to <span>JaVale McGee</span> midway through the first quarter. McGee made a quick impact with a couple of dunks and blocks, but nothing near substantial enough to fix what was ailing Dallas. Even John Jenkins got some burn early in the second quarter and helped the Mavs go on a 13-0 run early in the period. But the Mavs' poor shooting and inability to rebound were their downfalls, and it all started in that first quarter. Carlisle talks about disposition all the time, and Dallas' was terrible from the beginning.</p>
<h4><span>Rebounding, anyone?</span></h4>
<p>The Mavs were bad on the boards tonight, and that's an understatement. The Raptors, with an injury ravaged front court, out-rebounded the Mavs 53-34. Bismack Biymobo caused all sorts of issues for Dallas, finishing with nine points and 20 rebounds, and even <span>Kyle Lowry</span> got in on the boards with 10 for the game.</p>
<p>The struggle on the boards for Dallas is especially concerning considering this is a Toronto front line with injuries. <span>Jonas Valanciunas</span>, who averages 9.3 rebounds for the Raptors, hasn't played since late November and <span>DeMarre Carroll</span> hasn't played since Dec. 5.</p>
<h4><span>Dirk, Matthews can't lift offense</span></h4>
<p>Much like the rest of his team, Nowitzki had a bad start as well. But, he got it going in the third quarter to help Dallas rally back. Dirk ended the first half with six points on 3-of-10 shooting, but had 11 points in the third quarter and ended with 20. His third quarter output helped Dallas only go into the fourth quarter only down 72-67.</p>
<p><span>Wesley Matthews</span>, meanwhile, bounced back from a two-point outing with 15 for the game despite some foul trouble. Meanwhile, Toronto had five players in double-figures, led by its starting back court of <span>Kyle Lowry</span> and <span>DeMar DeRozan</span> who caused Dallas fits. DeRozan finished with 28 points while Lowry finished 17.</p>
<p>Weirdly enough, the Mavs garbage time lineup of Jenkins, <span>J.J. Barea</span>, <span>Justin Anderson</span>, <span>Charlie Villanueva</span> and <span>Jeremy Evans</span> messed around and helped Dallas get back into the game and made it a one-possession game multiple times with under a minute left. Ultimately, the deficit Dallas put itself in was too much to overcome.</p>
<h4><span>A new injury concern</span></h4>
<p>The biggest news to come out tonight is <span>Deron Williams</span>' strained left hamstring. Williams' got hurt midway through the third quarter and immediately went back to the locker room. He didn't return and it's unclear what his status is for his Brooklyn return tomorrow.</p>
<p>Williams' dealt with a couple of ailments in training camp, but has been relatively healthy during the regular season. Hopefully it isn't a longterm issue.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/game-coverage/2015/12/22/10655742/four-things-from-the-mavericks-103-99-win-over-the-toronto-raptorsAkshay Mirchandani2015-12-22T10:10:02-06:002015-12-22T10:10:02-06:00Mavs take on the struggling Raptors
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Mavericks visit the Toronto Raptors tonight.</p> <p>Dallas heads to Toronto to take on the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Raptors</a>. What can we expect?</p>
<h4>What happened the last time these teams met?</h4>
<p>The Toronto Raptors ruined Dallas' home opener back in November, beating the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a> 102-91 on their way to a 5-0 start. <span>Chandler Parsons</span> was still on serious minute restrictions at this point, and the team was still trying to figure out how to incorporate new personnel (and also how to make shots).</p>
<h4>What have the Raptors done lately?</h4>
<p>Things look a bit different now. The Raptors have had a bit of a rough patch lately, losing three of their last four, which matters a lot in the East, where just one game separates the eighth and second seeds. The two teams have nearly identical records for the season and both fifth in the conference standings.</p>
<p>The Raptors have a top ten offense and are currently the 12th ranked defense in the league, so despite the similar records, this could be a tough match-up for the Mavericks. Toronto has been missing big man <span>Jonas Valanciunas</span>, but he was recently <a target="_blank" href="http://www.raptorshq.com/2015/12/22/10644802/jonas-valanciunas-cleared-to-practice-toronto-raptors">cleared to practice</a>, though it's not clear whether he'll be on the court tonight.</p>
<h4>How to watch</h4>
<p>Tonight's game will be broadcast on NBATV. Tip off is at 6:30PM Central.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/12/22/10645834/dallas-mavericks-toronto-raptors-preview-how-to-watchKate Crawford