Mavs Moneyball - Gameday: Dallas Mavericks at Charlotte HornetsRick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2016-03-15T13:30:37-05:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/109856172016-03-15T13:30:37-05:002016-03-15T13:30:37-05:007 things from Carlisle's new small ball rotations
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fDF7blTjsN8XLwVD--oDMwth8UU=/0x0:1819x1213/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49089053/usa-today-9185591.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On Monday, Dallas benched Zaza Pachulia and went small all night. Here's what we learned.</p> <p>On Monday, before the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> finally snapped their five-game losing streak by finally changing up their rotations against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.atthehive.com/">Charlotte Hornets</a>, I wrote about how the Mavericks should finally <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/3/14/11218474/heres-why-the-mavericks-cant-win-basketball-games-anymore">change up their rotations against the Charlotte Hornets.</a> The ideas weren't groundbreaking, and seeing <span>Rick Carlisle</span> make some of the changes suggested was mostly inevitable after such a bad stretch of games. As a natural follow up, I just have a few thoughts about Monday's rotation, how it related to my suggestions and what we might see going forward.</p>
<h5>1. <span>Raymond Felton</span> started, not <span>David Lee</span>
</h5>
<p>Carlisle went directly to small ball against Charlotte, who starts <span>Cody Zeller</span> and <span>Marvin Williams</span> as their primary two bigs. That's already pretty small and Zeller isn't a post scorer, so there weren't any concerns about immediately putting Dirk on the big man. I'm not certain Felton stays there forever, because against bigger teams, you'll need Lee right away (and I'm not ruling out Pachulia, either, though the next five games don't seem like matchups where he'd be needed). Overall, though, a change was needed, and Felton moving in works well enough for me.</p>
<h5>2. The opening three rotations were A+++</h5>
<p>This was excellent.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">so Deron-Felton-Matthews-Parsons-Dirk<br><br>to Deron-Harris-Matthews-Parsons-Lee<br><br>to Barea-Harris-Anderson-Parsons-Lee<br><br>three good lineups </p>
— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) <a href="https://twitter.com/tim_cato/status/709522317701828608">March 14, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<h5>3. Felton and Barea didn't play together all game</h5>
<p>Beyond benching Pachulia, this was the biggest change I wanted to see. Barea and Felton simply don't coexist well together, and against Charlotte, the two never shared the floor together. There will be some nights where Barea is a better option than Felton as a penetrating guard, and some nights where Felton will have to play because <span>Kemba Walker</span> is pulling up right in Barea's face because he's too short to contest him. But they cannot play together anymore, and if Monday was any indication, Carlisle has learned that.</p>
<h5>4. <span>Justin Anderson</span> sighting!</h5>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>Yessssss! Look at this bad motherf'er.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://vine.co/v/iwnm09eztFl/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
</p>
<p>Although Anderson scored just one point (and a nice drive that probably should have been an and-one), that block above, three rebounds and another moment where he scrapped on the floor for a steal should keep him in the rotation going forward. He has the potential to be a better spot-up shooter than Felton, Barea or Harris, and is already a better defender than all three. I personally would have brought him back in late in the third quarter for a three-minute stint, but either way, it's nice to see the Mavs rookie doing some things.</p>
<h5>5. Pachulia did play five minutes in the third</h5>
<p>I was a bit surprised Carlisle's adjustments were so drastic in the first half, when Pachulia didn't even enter the game. That said, it was the right call. It didn't look like Pachulia would play at all until David Lee got in foul trouble in the middle of the third quarter, and during Pachulia's five minutes and 11 seconds of playing time, the Mavericks were minus-6.</p>
<p>Here's the thing: if Pachulia wasn't going to be in the rotation against Charlotte, I don't know when he'll play next. <span>Al Jefferson</span> is ideally the type of big, hulking center you'd want Pachulia guarding, but the Mavericks opted to just double team him quickly and heavily, which mostly worked. Anyway, despite people talking about how Pachulia is a good post defender, he still let Jefferson drop 31 points in Charlotte's other meeting early in the season against Dallas.</p>
<p>This may be the end for Pachulia. His minutes have steadily been declining, and he'll still get in games when Carlisle wants that veteran presences, but the Charlotte game seemed to indicate that he is no longer a rotation player. Unfortunately, that's what's best for the Mavericks.</p>
<h5>6. When I would have subbed Anderson back in</h5>
<p>Specifically, the 3:34 mark of the third quarter, when <span>Deron Williams</span> came out. Instead, <span>Wesley Matthews</span> went back in, after getting a quick hook just four minutes into the frame. Either way, I'm not terribly upset, but if Anderson was going to get back in, that would have been the moment.</p>
<h5>7. It will be hard to take <span>Chandler Parsons</span> off the floor</h5>
<p>As Dirk Nowitzki plays more center and Dallas keeps Felton and Barea apart, Parsons is so, so important to all of these lineups. I was surprised to see he only played 37 minutes on Monday, but expect that number to reach into the 40's during this final month of the NBA season. As much as the Mavericks are trying to make the playoffs, they're trying to convince Parsons to return this summer, too. He's their best overall player (and possibly their best player, period, though damn Dirk is still making that hard) and he'll only play better as Dallas puts him in these small ball lineups with space and a roll man in Lee. Going all in on Parsons is the only smart play Dallas has left.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/3/15/11238684/7-takeaways-from-rick-carlisles-new-improved-small-ball-rotationsTim Cato2016-03-14T21:06:40-05:002016-03-14T21:06:40-05:00Mavs snap losing streak in Charlotte
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/q_12dySjyMCiIRE2Poy4mCLZP98=/0x0:4896x3264/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49078489/usa-today-9185599.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Mavericks blew a 19 point lead, but a late burst helped get a much needed win on the road.</p> <p>The Dallas Mavericks win! It felt like eons, but the losing streak is snapped at five games. The Mavs went to Charlotte -- who came into the game with 14 wins in their last 17 games entering Monday night -- and got a much needed victory.</p>
<h5><b>RICK CARLISLE SHAKES UP THE STARTING LINEUP</b></h5>
<p>Obviously, the big story (aside from winning, finally) is the change in the starting lineup. <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/3/14/11218474/heres-why-the-mavericks-cant-win-basketball-games-anymore?_ga=1.61366824.588044499.1381943182">We predicted that Dallas would make such a move,</a> though the idea was that David Lee would get the nod. Instead, it was Raymond Felton, who slid in as the second guard and shifted Wes, Parsons and Dirk up a spot. As pointed out, Charlotte was the right team to try this against, since the Hornets play Cody Zeller and Marvin Williams as their bigs.</p>
<p>Felton was plus-17 in 32 minutes, helping his case as one of the Mavs' most surprising plus/minus performers. Felton's baskets were few but timely, with some acrobatic finishes and a huge, deep three (his second in 25 attempts) that made the lead 13 with 3 minutes left. Ray Ray quietly racked up 12 assists, and was really effective playing off of David Lee. Pachulia, on the other end, continued to see his minutes slashed. Pachulia didn't play at all in the first half, and had just two points, two rebounds and was minus-7 in a six-minute stint in the third.</p>
<h5><b>MAVS TOP THREE SCORERS DO THEIR PART</b></h5>
<p>Dirk Nowitzki started out hot early on, finishing with 23 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes. When he checked out with seven minutes left and a six-point lead, it was presumably for only a short rest. The Mavs responded by outscoring the Hornets 21-13 over the next six minutes, however, and Dirk checking back in was no longer necessary. Despite sitting for that crunch time run, Dirk led all Mavs at +24.</p>
<p>The fourth quarter belonged to Deron Wiliams and Chandler Parsons. Each scored 11 points in the final frame, hitting big shots after the Hornets climbed all the way back from a 19-point deficit to take the lead early in the period. Parsons finished with a game-high 24, including five of the team's nine 3-pointers, and Deron added 15 and 5.</p>
<h5><b>BENCH SHOWS SIGNS OF LIFE</b></h5>
<p>The bench was not a complete trainwreck Monday night, with both David Lee (who continues to sizzle as a finisher) and Devin Harris scoring 12 apiece. The real shocker was Justin Anderson getting some early burn, as the rookie checked in midway through the first quarter and though he only played eight minutes and scored just one point, made an impact with effort plays, including three rebounds <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/3/14/11226676/justin-anderson-levitates-for-a-block-and-saves-it-back-in-with-the?_ga=1.40404518.588044499.1381943182">and a great chasedown block.</a></p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="600" width="600" src="https://vine.co/v/iwnm09eztFl/embed/simple"></iframe></p>
<p>Anderson ended up plus-6 on the night. If he could hit some outside shots like he did last year at Virginia, Rick Carlisle might have no choice but to play this kid. Every time he sees the court I find myself thinking what a breath of fresh air it is to see someone who's actually athletic.</p>
<h5><b>WES MATTHEWS DOING THINGS OTHER THAN SCORING</b></h5>
<p>I would be remiss if I didn't mention the little things Wes Matthews does for this team. He didn't shoot particularly well -- again -- going 1-8 for five points, and you can tell that the shooting woes are taking a toll on him mentally. His body language is heartbreaking to watch at times, as he just can't seem to get the ball to go in despite desperately wanting it to. Still, Matthews was plus-19 in this game, thanks to his ferocious defense, which included a key point in the game when Kemba Walker started to get hot and Matthews promptly shut him down with full-court, blanketing D, which forced two turnovers in as many minutes. Wes has been the subject of ire for a lot of fans, but he's clearly working his tail off to help the Mavs in any way he can.</p>
<p>So, with a win finally in the books, Dallas starts their nightmare stretch of Cleveland, Golden State, Portland, Portland and Golden State. Yikes. Enjoy this win while you can, Mavs fans.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/3/14/11227254/dallas-snaps-losing-streak-wins-in-charlotte-107-96Ian_Miller2016-03-14T19:44:45-05:002016-03-14T19:44:45-05:00Cuban's ref criticism is sure to get him fined
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LbFEthL6QVRlOHSLSEt6EMzukPk=/23x0:574x367/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49077665/cubes.0.0.PNG" />
</figure>
<p><span>David Lee</span> was called for a flagrant one after bringing <span>Cody Zeller</span> to the ground as he attempted a layup, and the call was admittedly iffy. That said, Mark Cuban's only going to lose some dollars with this tweet about the play.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Again the NBA embarrasses itself by not knowing what a flagrant foul is.311 to go in the 2nd. No contact above neck. Fall down get flagrant</p>
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/709531868522106880">March 15, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/3/14/11226930/mark-cubans-harsh-officiating-criticism-is-sure-to-get-him-finedTim Cato2016-03-14T19:09:35-05:002016-03-14T19:09:35-05:00Justin Anderson levitates for a ridiculous block
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VY8XIFIxEY5dqLftB4Fwij-NsiM=/6x0:523x345/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49077423/anderson.0.0.PNG" />
</figure>
<p><iframe src="https://vine.co/v/iwnm09eztFl/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>A lot of people have been asking for <span>Justin Anderson</span> to get more minutes. This is why. Holy crap what a play -- the block is great, but to recover it and save it back in all in one motion is ridiculous.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/3/14/11226676/justin-anderson-levitates-for-a-block-and-saves-it-back-in-with-theTim Cato2016-03-14T11:20:03-05:002016-03-14T11:20:03-05:00The Mavs need this win against the Hornets
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5zrMdYR5KHirq_92KFRYWopuSC8=/0x500:2205x1970/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49070449/usa-today-9171582.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Mavericks look to end their league-worst losing streak against the team with the league-best winning streak.</p> <p>After a disheartening loss to the <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pacers</a>, the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a> will travel to Charlotte as they take on the <a href="https://www.atthehive.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a> and try to find a way to get a much-needed win. What's the opposite of "unstoppable force meets immoveable object?"</p>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mavs have NBA's longest losing streak (5 games). Hornets have the league's longest winning streak (7 games). They meet Monday in Charlotte.</p>
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/708841390176735233">March 13, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<h4>What happened last time these two teams met?</h4>
<p>The last time these two teams faced off was early November, when the Hornets handed the Mavericks a loss courtesy of <span>Al Jefferson</span> and his 31 points.</p>
<h4>What has Charlotte done lately?</h4>
<p>The Hornets lost Al Jefferson to a knee injury not long after that game against the Mavs, but he's back, coming off the bench, and his increasingly positive contributions are just one of the reasons the team has surged lately, winning eight of their last 10 games and sitting just a half game out of the top four in the East. Others include Kemba Walker's outstanding season and consistently productive performances from <span>Nicolas Batum</span>.</p>
<p>Despite some hurdles, including Jefferson's injury and a tough schedule during the first half of the season, the team has both a top 10 offense and a top 10 defense for the season and has been even stronger since the All-Star break. Since then they've been the fifth highest scoring offense (just ahead of the Mavericks) and the fifth best defense (very, very, very far ahead of the Mavericks).</p>
<h4>Why is everything so terrible?</h4>
<p>Dallas basketball feels a little bleak right now. The team is on the cusp of falling out of the playoffs. This means likely facing either Golden State or San Antonio in the first round or missing the playoffs entirely (given the team's history with the draft, there's no real reason to think that will do them much good next season). If you feel like wallowing a bit, we've got you covered <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/3/11/11208654/mmb-podcast-ep-15-talkin-about-why-the-mavericks-suck">here</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/3/12/11212590/as-the-mavericks-keep-losing-theres-no-real-solutions">here</a>.</p>
<p>But the prospect of facing the team with the longest winning streak in the NBA as the team currently on the biggest losing streak may be good motivation. And with Jefferson still playing a limited role, Dirk and Lee may be able to continuing providing solid offense while getting away with less solid defense. The Mavericks may not be favored to win this game, but with the next 10 days bringing games against Cleveland, Portland (twice), and Golden State (also twice, because we cannot have nice things right now), it may be their last chance for a while.</p>
<h4>How to watch</h4>
<p>The game tips off at 6:00PM Central on Fox Sports Southwest (or, as always on NBA League Pass for those of you outside the Dallas area).</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/3/14/11219306/dallas-mavericks-charlotte-hornets-preview-game-time-channelKate Crawford