Mavs Moneyball - Gameday: Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota TimberwolvesRick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2016-04-07T01:16:10-05:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/111183452016-04-07T01:16:10-05:002016-04-07T01:16:10-05:00Quoteboard: 'We want to play in the postseason'
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kFi1-oYzE0p5yoa8GxG2bqB9gJM=/0x30:4034x2719/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49256169/usa-today-9234663.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Dallas talked about how they beat Houston at home on Wednesday.</p> <p>Here's a quoteboard with most of the things said in the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a> locker room after a 88-86 win on Wednesday.</p>
<h4><span>Rick Carlisle</span></h4>
<p><b>On the Mavericks recent defensive roll</b></p>
<p>It's a style change. It's a style of play that is characterized by sacrifice because when you take longer possessions on offense and commit to controlling the tempo of the game, you are going to have some more difficult shots. One of the reasons Dirk is having a hard time getting open looks is because what all of this is. It has given us a strategy that can be effective and we are going to have to keep adjusting in the games here and there as it is happening. The important thing is getting us into a position to win and we have been able to do that.</p>
<p>I am proud of our guys for being willing to be team guys and play this way. Houston is a high-scoring team. They are very talented and the highest 4th quarter scoring team in basketball. What they have been doing is seducing people into getting into up and down games in the fourth and we felt we needed to keep it close and not allow that to happen. We got a little fortunate. Some guys made some great plays. Anderson's blocked shot is a big time winning play. Matthews' deflection and then diving save to expire the clock is a winning play. Because if you give these guys the ball with 0.2 seconds, they will get it into the hole as they did in the third quarter. They have that kind of talent. I give a lot of credit to our guys. We lived to fight another day.</p>
<p><b>On JJ Barea's offensive performance</b></p>
<p>"It was vital. We had some other guys that had some struggling shot-making nights and my message to the guys is we have to stay persistent and keep going hard. Focus your attention on playing to exhaustion and guarding your guy and play to your guy. The right number of shots are going to fall.</p>
<p><b>On Matthews defense</b></p>
<p>He made the best deflections and saves I've ever at the end of a game in my 32 years</p>
<p><b>On Dirk</b></p>
<p>These guys are draped all over him like an ugly suit every night. During certain parts of the game we're speeding it up some. But right now we're a grinding team trying to move up. We're trying to move up. Our guys are committed and that's all you can ask for.</p>
<p><b>Does Carlisle feel like he's over relying on JJ Barea?</b></p>
<p>I just feel that we have other guys that are close to breaking through. We got Memphis coming in here on Friday. That game may be in the 50s. They're a physical team. They're on their 28th guy on the roster this year. But they're fighting hard and they're playing like we are. They're playing for playoff positioning. They've lost some games, but I just watched two of their games today. They are physical and they're gonna snort in your face on defense and they're going to bring it to you on offense. We gotta be ready for another throwdown on Friday.</p>
<p><b>On making a style change 70 games into the season</b></p>
<p>We had a horrible game that day. I flipped out about it because we weren't going hard enough and we made some changes. What we're doing is not a panacea or any kind of secret thing. This is hard nosed basketball. Right now this is our plan for success. From game-to-game we can change adjust to anything. We can adjust the lineup. We played 10 guys tonight. We could play 12 on Friday. McGee had a good game earlier against Randolph. Everything is in play.</p>
<p><b>On looking at the playoff standings</b></p>
<p>I'm not looking at the standing. I'm looking at the next game—the next ten minutes or so. What my schedule is tomorrow to prep for Memphis. The season will be over soon enough. If we continue to focus on the process, the result will take care of itself. We're no perfect team. There's no doubt about that. But when you compete hard and for each other. That's what we'll continue to do.</p>
<h4><span>Wesley Matthews</span></h4>
<p><b>What was going through your head on that final couple minutes?</b></p>
<p>This is who I am, playing both ends of the court. You can't really stop a guy like that individually. It was a team effort and Justin made a huge play, Dirk made a huge play and I was just trying to make it as difficult as possible. He's a hell of a scorer, hell of a player, but hey, it was either them or us.</p>
<p><b>How did you hold the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockets</a> to just six points down the stretch?</b></p>
<p>We want to play in the postseason. We're not going home early. We fought too hard this year. We've come from too much adversity, and battled through too many games, that we're not ready for our season to be done. We still control our own destiny and changing our mindset to 'we have to stop people, we have to buckle down defensively,' and trust that we'll get it on the offense when we need to.</p>
<p><b>On the defensive run this team's been on</b></p>
<p>That's the way we're going to win. Our offense hasn't been pretty. We've missed a lot of shots, we've turned the ball over a little bit -- too much at times. We're starting to understand that this is how we've got to play. We've got to stop teams. We've got to be able to rely on our defense. We have to be able to stop people and give ourselves cushion and room to breathe. There's not so much pressure on the offensive end.</p>
<p><b>Did you ever guess Dirk's biggest play all season would be a steal?</b></p>
<p>[laughs] Uh, no.</p>
<h4><span>Justin Anderson</span></h4>
<p><b>On Matthews' defense on Harden</b></p>
<p>Ironman. You know, he's out here gettin' it, by any means necessary. That dude is a tank. His will to win, I'm just so happy to be playing besides a guy like that so early in my career because when I look at guys I want to model my career, he's one of them.</p>
<p><b>Is the team coming together now?</b></p>
<p>I wouldn't say coming together better or less. I will say this team has been doubted all season. Coming into the season with our full roster, people didn't think we were going to be really good. We've been kind of good playing behind everybody and trying to prove something all year. Right now, we're still playing like that. We've got a lot of pride in the jersey, with the name on the front of the our jersey. We've just got to continue to try to prove people wrong.</p>
<h4><span>J.J. Barea</span></h4>
<p><b>Was this a must win?</b></p>
<p>Oh no question, we had to take advantage at home against a team right there with us, it's a must win, like every game left, it's a must win, but this was definitely one of the biggest of the year.</p>
<h4><span>Dirk Nowitzki</span></h4>
<p><b>On the defensive roll the team's been on</b></p>
<p>Obviously with Parsons and D-Will going out. We had to adjust our thinking a bit. Those are two very talented players for us. We adjusted a little bit offensive. We're not playing as fast. We're playing smarter. That means obviously we're going to get into deep into the clock with the shot clock running down a lot. It's help us set our defense. We've been getting torched in transition defense. We were last in the league when we lost five or six straight there. We adjusted a few things offensively. We can't turn the ball over. When we get back and get set, we're pretty good.</p>
<p><b>On the team rallying around him</b></p>
<p>I'm not sure if they're doing it for me. They should do it for this franchise. It's been a winning franchise for a long long time. I don't think we've finished a year under .500 since my second year in the league. We wwere two under last week and we had some good wins here—guys competing, guys playing hard, guys playing for each other. I know we're missing some talent, but you gotta just make it up sometimes by playing hard and competing on both ends.</p>
<p><b>On whether he enjoys winning ugly</b></p>
<p>At this point in my career I enjoy winning. I had fun in Minnesota when I went 4-18. Guys played well and we are competing defensively. Things are tough on the offensive end right now. I didn't get too many good looks today, but JJ has been great in the pick and roll and other guys have stepped up for us.</p>
<p><b>How can Dirk get going while playing this grinding style?</b></p>
<p>I don't need to as long as we're winning .</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/4/7/11383084/quoteboard-from-mavericks-88-rockets-86-we-want-to-play-in-theAustin NgaruiyaTim Cato2016-04-03T16:57:46-05:002016-04-03T16:57:46-05:00Mavericks suffocate Timberwolves 88-78
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kxEgzdq4sO_BihOlhDWN4fELv0I=/0x0:3193x2129/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49226437/usa-today-9226567.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Dallas slowed down the game, made it a little boring, but got the all-important win with their depleted roster.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a> won their fourth-straight game on Sunday, beating the <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> 88-78 as their last-gasp playoff push builds more and more momentum. Once again, Dallas reverted to anaconda tendencies, strangling and suffocating the Timberwolves with a slow, deliberate pace that used fewer possessions and thus had fewer chances to screw up. Without question, this win could be crucial for the Mavericks when they head into the season's final week hoping to sneak into the Western Conference playoffs.</p>
<p>It wasn't always pretty, but <span>Wesley Matthews</span> and <span>Devin Harris</span> led the way in the second half, where Dallas overcame an early third quarter deficit to go ahead for good. Matthews scored 19 points while nailing six three-pointers while Harris added 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting and three triples of his own. <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> struggled, hitting just four of his 18 shots, but his teammates and the surprisingly effective team defense Carlisle has installed once again carried the day. Another strong night for <span>J.J. Barea</span> also helped, as he scored a team-high 21 points, helping the team stay afloat early on.</p>
<h4>The Mavericks' scoring problem</h4>
<p>Look, it's not like anyone's surprised. The Mavericks lost their second-leading scorer for the year and haven't had <span>Deron Williams</span> for nearly two weeks. Those two combine to average more than 30 points for Dallas, and predictably, without them, the Mavericks seriously lack scoring punches.</p>
<p>In the previous three-game winning streak, Dallas has survived with J.J. Barea picking up the mantle as a lead scorer, which is ridiculous and incredible in its own right. Dirk Nowitzki played some of his best basketball in years in March, particularly since Parsons went down. The Mavericks have preached pace and tempo all season, with a goal of having the ball cross the half-court line with at least 21 seconds left on the clock. But without their offensive weapons, the Mavericks have dialed back their tempo, average four fewer possessions over the prior three-game winning streak. Without players skilled at scoring in transition like Parsons and with the team failing to routinely generate quality shots, their best chance of winning has been a slow, grind it out performance. By holding those three teams under 90, and the Timberwolves under 80 on Sunday, they've done just that.</p>
<p>Still, the Mavericks cannot make the playoffs if Williams remains out. They won't beat the better teams remaining on their schedule that they must beat. Parsons' absence is the bigger loss, but there's nothing to be done about that. At least Williams is supposed to return, and his ability to create shots, pose a bigger spot-up threat than Felton and generally just be smart running the offense will be crucial.</p>
<p>If they don't get Williams back for Wednesday's game against Houston, so much of the work falls to Felton creating shots in the pick-and-roll with players not suited for the pick-and-roll, or if Lee is on the floor as a power forward, trying to make up for his lack of spacing. It's just a jumble of players not really suited for a modern NBA offense that the Mavericks are trying to use, and they don't fit neatly. Williams, at least, would help.</p>
<h4>Justin Anderson's development</h4>
<p>Anderson has firmly established himself in the Mavericks' rotation. He's an athlete on a team devoid of them, he's the team's best shot blocker despite being 6'5 and he's finally turned his rookie corner. Carlisle doesn't yell at him for being out of place as frequently, he looks much more comfortable with the ball in his hands and he's really turned into an all-around good player for Dallas, even if he's still trying to become a truly consistent scorer.</p>
<p>Using Anderson's current play as an indictment on Carlisle, though, seems foolish to me. NBA players, <i>especially </i>rookies, aren't constant. Anderson has worked all season to improve, and clearly, tangibly has. Playing actual in-game minutes can help development to a degree, but I'm not of the school of thought that you <i>must </i>earn minutes to be better, especially if they're unearned minutes. Anderson has finally reached a point where his minutes are earned, and now he's developing in a different way, as he learns different scenarios and plays against different opponents around the NBA. But it just doesn't seem like this is something he could have duplicated all season.</p>
<p>Either way, it's incredibly fun to watch him now, and my belief that he can be a valuable actor off the bench next season (or even as a starter!) remains the same. An athlete with those defensive tendencies, channeled into proper NBA fundamentals, is the type of player every NBA team wishes they had.</p>
<h4>Get right, Dirk</h4>
<p>It has been tough watching him the past few games. Here's hoping that's just a minor blip.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/4/3/11357206/mavericks-88-timberwolves-78-final-score-playoff-positioningTim Cato2016-04-03T15:20:10-05:002016-04-03T15:20:10-05:00Anderson's latest highlight is this putback dunk
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MJprJwhc3tiMw38NbSvAMzefNq4=/10x0:517x338/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49226163/anderson.0.0.PNG" />
</figure>
<p><iframe src="https://vine.co/v/ij2dqWVVawA/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>I feel like <span>Justin Anderson</span> has a quota of ridiculously athletic plays he has to hit every game. Well, this putback dunk should do the trick quite nicely.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/4/3/11356500/justin-andersons-latest-soaring-highlight-is-this-absurd-putback-dunkTim Cato2016-04-03T00:00:03-05:002016-04-03T00:00:03-05:00Mavs look to continue winning ways vs. Wolves
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S_nMQ3jCWOvEBYcVrTqmagNJR_Y=/0x255:2535x1945/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49223507/usa-today-9150963.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Can the Mavericks sustain their winning ways against a hot-and-cold young Wolves team?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> look to continue their winning ways and keep their playoff hopes alive as they head into Minnesota to once again face the young and inconsistent <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Timberwolves</a>. Let's see what they have in store.</p>
<h4>What have the Wolves done lately?</h4>
<p>Mostly lose, though they've beaten a few teams who could be considered their equals. The Wolves have lost their last two games, the most recent loss coming at the hands of the Mavs' current playoff rivals, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Jazz</a>, on Friday night. But, they've won a handful (vs. the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Kings</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a>).</p>
<p>After last week's 20 point loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>, Wolves coach Sam Mitchell p<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15101727/coach-sam-mitchell-rips-minnesota-timberwolves-worst-game-played-all-year" target="_blank">ublicly called out the team</a> for "the worst game we've played all year." So. That's where they're at these days.</p>
<h4>What do the Mavericks need to do to win?</h4>
<p>Who even knows at this point, but I suppose more of the same? <span>Rick Carlisle</span> has been mixing it up quite a bit recently in terms of lineups, mostly out of necessity, but it seems to have been working, probably because he's giving teams some very different looks from earlier this season. <span>Justin Anderson</span> has seen some increased playing time, and his energy and fresh legs (relative to the rest of the team) have seemingly brought a spark to recent games. The Mavs will need that energy against the Wolves, who are mostly bad because they're, well, young. (And hence, have energy.)</p>
<p>No word on whether <span>Deron Williams</span>, who is fighting through a sports hernia, will be available for this game yet. He's indicated that he wants to try and fight through that injury to play, but</p>
<h4>What other games should you pay attention to today?</h4>
<p>Lots of other games with playoff implications for your Sunday: The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a> are at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> at the same time as this game. The Jazz are at the Suns and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Grizzlies</a> are at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Magic</a>, both at 5 p.m. Central. And the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Trail Blazers</a> are on the second night of a back to back at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> at 7 p.m. Central.</p>
<h4>How to watch</h4>
<p>As per usual, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Southwest locally, or on NBA League Pass elsewhere. It's an early start at 2:30 p.m. Central.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/game-coverage/2016/4/3/11354234/mavericks-look-to-continue-winning-ways-against-timberwolvesRebecca Lawson