Mavs Moneyball - Gameday: Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans PelicansRick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2016-12-26T21:34:51-06:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/138435592016-12-26T21:34:51-06:002016-12-26T21:34:51-06:003 Takeaways following the Mavericks falling to the Pelicans, 111-104
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<img alt="NBA: Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Pelicans" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/soYwu4tYVS6MP2whea1owslDBUQ=/0x0:3372x2248/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52463585/usa_today_9769526.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Dallas is unable to extend their win streak to three</p> <p id="3iaeTg">The Dallas Mavericks were unable to keep their win streak alive, falling to the New Orleans Pelicans 111-104. Anthony Davis destroyed the Mavericks, scoring 28 points, grabbing 16 boards, and dishing 4 assists. Deron Williams led Dallas in scoring with 24 points.</p>
<p id="ni6ZXF">The Pelicans hopped out to an early lead on the strength of rookie Buddy Hield’s excellent shooting. With Dirk Nowitzki playing his second game after a long injury absence, Mavericks eventually worked themselves back into the game and trailed 20-25 following one period. The second period saw the Mavericks come alive offensively, shooting well from all over the court. However, a rash of turnovers kept the Pelicans close and they were able to regain a two point lead heading into half time. </p>
<p id="F664gX">Stellar outside shooting allowed the Pelicans to extend their third quarter lead to eight points. The Mavericks were unable to take the lead, despite fantastic shooting from Deron Williams and strong drives from Seth Curry. The final period became the Anthony Davis show, as he controlled the boards defensively and marched to the free throw line repeatedly on the other end of the court. The Mavericks fell 111-104</p>
<p id="dGrePn">Now, for some specifics:</p>
<h4 id="Rpp0JS">The three point defense was bad and Dallas has to figure out why</h4>
<p id="m1Nda3">The Mavericks are the worst three point defending team in the league, allowing opponents to shoot just under 40% from beyond the arc. The Pelicans hit an absurd 12 of 25 against Dallas Monday evening. Yes, some of that is Langston Galloway hitting all five of his deep attempts, but this is a season long problem.</p>
<p id="4qlSRh">The question is why? The Mavericks have good perimeter defenders in Wesley Matthews, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Harrison Barnes. Is it the lack of unit cohesion due to unfamiliarity? Is it defensive weakness at a specific position like point guard or center? The lack of rim protection felt big against the Pelicans, but is that the case regularly?</p>
<h4 id="LDPkVw">Dirk Nowitzki looks good for the second straight game</h4>
<p id="uc8Ay4">Thank God. Dirk wasn’t quite the gunner he was against the Pelicans as he was against the Clippers, putting up 9 shots in 17 minutes. A number of his misses were the result of attempting to bail out a creaky looking Maverick offense. Overall, he looks as good as we can expect from a 38 year old basketball mummy. I’m more than a little unsure about the Dirk-as-center test, but if Harrison Barnes plays his best basketball from the power forward spot, it makes sense. There’s a large enough sample to know the Mavericks aren’t going to be world beaters on defense with a traditional line up anyway.</p>
<p id="dfEEDf">A few more games on minutes restrictions should quell Dirk’s own commentary on his retirement. He’s just too effective, even in limited time. </p>
<h4 id="N8bA5g">That was Seth Curry’s best game in a Maverick uniform</h4>
<p id="nR1iqb">Until tonight, I’ve been underwhelmed by Curry. Despite his 37% three point shooting for the season, every time I watch it feels like he can’t hit the broad side of a barn. </p>
<p id="mbbNB0">Not tonight. Barnes ran the offense exceptionally well, using his three point threat as a means to drive past the defense for either a pass out once he was in the lane or a tear drop shot attempt. 16 points and 7 assists later, it’s clear Seth Curry was a huge reason the Mavericks hung with the Pelicans for most of the game. </p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/12/26/14085136/3-takeaways-following-the-mavericks-falling-to-the-pelicans-111-104Kirk Henderson2016-12-26T00:00:01-06:002016-12-26T00:00:01-06:003 things to watch as the Mavs travel to New Orleans
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<img alt="NBA: New Orleans Pelicans at Dallas Mavericks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aYxcpyPZhhKQ_q31ZFsCBWjv4ek=/0x0:4348x2899/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52455049/usa_today_9710360.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Could the intrepid Mavs win three in a row?</p> <p id="B3wWhJ">Dallas is getting a win streak started with victories against Portland and the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> (albeit without <span>Chris Paul</span> or <span>Blake Griffin</span>) in the past week. <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> returned to start at the five, <span>J.J. Barea</span> and <span>Devin Harris</span> are back to bringing their energy and playmaking off the bench, and <span>Harrison Barnes</span> seems to improve every game.</p>
<p id="KW1ByN">This is the Dallas team many expected to see this season. The playoff picture? Dallas is in a tough spot—Portland and Sacramento’s uneven play has put the 8-seed only four games out of reach, and Dallas appears as though they’ll go for it. The 6-seed, however, is 9 games out of reach. New Orleans is one of the many teams between the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> and the playoffs, and they must be defeated again if Dallas is to make a credible push as a threat.</p>
<h4 id="dtJc9d">
<strong>Dirk Nowitzki </strong><strong>m</strong><strong>ust </strong><strong>a</strong><strong>ffect Anthony Davis’s </strong><strong>d</strong><strong>efense</strong>
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<p id="aKmhxc">Last time these two teams met, Dallas pulled a 91-81 victory out in the fourth quarter when <span>Wesley Matthews</span> got hot from beyond the arc. This time, with Dirk playing the small-ball center role, the big German must drag Davis away from the rim, and make himself available for Harrison Barnes to pass out of isolations when Davis helps.</p>
<h4 id="UboSDG">
<strong>Keep New Orleans off the </strong><strong>f</strong><strong>ree </strong><strong>t</strong><strong>hrow </strong><strong>l</strong><strong>ine</strong>
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<p id="hTTE6r">In wins this season, per NBA.com, The <a href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/">Pelicans</a> are 12<sup>th</sup> in free throw rate. In losses, they drop to 18<sup>th</sup>. Dallas must keep the Pelicans, especially Holiday and Davis, off the line if they want to take home another road victory.</p>
<h4 id="XPgnEh">
<strong>Control the </strong><strong>g</strong><strong>lass</strong>
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<p id="FLvDJ9">Last time these teams met, Dallas out-rebounded the Pelicans by two on the offensive glass and by two on the defensive glass, 46-42 overall. If they are to come out with the win again, Dirk and Barnes will need to hold their own against Davis and the rest of the Pelicans’ front court. The Pelicans win when they get offensive rebounds and clean the defensive glass. In losses, their offensive rebounding percentage drops nearly three percent, and opponents get five percent more of their own misses. <span>Dwight Powell</span> can be especially impactful here in backup minutes at the five against Davis, <span>Terrence Jones</span> (who has been ill and is questionable for the game), <span>Omer Asik</span>, and <span>Alexis Ajinca</span>.</p>
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<strong>How to</strong><strong> w</strong><strong>atch</strong>
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<p id="76dQzl">The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. central time and can be watched on FSSW.</p>
<p id="uBcMZi"> </p>
<p id="TGzBDO"> </p>
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