Mavs Moneyball - MMB Gameday Stream 2/11: Dallas Mavericks at Charlotte BobcatsRick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2014-02-11T20:31:07-06:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/51651092014-02-11T20:31:07-06:002014-02-11T20:31:07-06:00Cats maul Mavs, 114-89
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<p>So much for that winning streak.</p> <p>In an awful game where the Dallas defense made the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Charlotte Bobcats</a> look like the Dream Team, the Mavs are probably happy just to be on the way out of town, and in one piece(hopefully).</p>
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<p>The big story was <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span>, who exited early in the second quarter with an ankle injury but did manage to return. At that point Charlotte had just finished a 10-2 run to stretch their lead to double-digits, and with Nowitzki out they would expand that advantage to 14 by halftime.</p>
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<p><span>Al Jefferson</span> scored 30 points, but the real problem came from outside, where <span>Anthony Tolliver</span> hit 5-10 threes for a career-high 22 points, and as a team Charlotte shot 12-24 from deep.</p>
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<p>Dirk and <span>Monta Ellis</span> did their best to keep Dallas in it, with 16 apiece, but they simply could not stop the bleeding at the defensive end, and with a little under five minutes left <span>Rick Carlisle</span> waived the white flag and emptied the bench; probably a good idea, as Dallas goes to Indiana tomorrow night to face the team with the best record in the NBA.</p>
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<p>It would be easy to blame Dirk's injury for such a lopsided affair, but it would also be lazy and wrong. Charlotte outscored Dallas in every quarter, including the two after Nowitzki came back. Undoubtedly, momentum had something to do with how hot the Bobcats got from outside, but with or without Dirk Dallas was outplayed in just about every aspect of the game.</p>
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<p>Early on neither team could miss, as over a four minute stretch in the middle of the first quarter the two teams combined to shoot 11-12 from the field, making eight straight field goals.</p>
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<p>Unfortunately, while Dallas slowed down a little, the Bobcats had no such inclination.</p>
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<p>Two minutes into the second quarter, Josh McRoberts appeared to inadvertently step on Dirk Nowitzki's foot, which dropped Dallas' leading scorer to the floor for a moment and seemed serious enough to cause him to limp immediately to the locker room. Charlotte was already building a solid lead, and this would be all the extra motivation they would need.</p>
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<p>By the third quarter, Charlotte was unconscious, and before Dallas could blink the lead had exploded to 26. Even after Dirk got into a rhythm, the Mavs were so far behind that they may as well have been climbing a steep hill during a tsunami.</p>
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<p>Dallas had what seemed to be a reasonable enough plan of attack on defense, doubling Al Jefferson early and often in the low post, usually with the lengthy Dirk. However, the rotations on the perimeter were atrocious. When McRoberts and Tolliver weren't hitting wide open threes(they combined to go 8-14 from downtown), they were getting into the lane for even easier looks. McRoberts had 13 of his teams' astonishing 42(!) assists.</p>
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<p>Then, whenever Dallas opted simply to let Jefferson go, none of the big three at center could do much to get in his way. So, the Mavs were essentially picking between strychnine and hemlock.</p>
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<p>Worth mentioning was that Devin Harris also had to leave the game a little gimpy(and this time it appeared to be Ramon Sessions stepping on his foot), but initial reports are that both he and Dirk are OK. Harris had another strong game(and seems to be getting very comfortable running the pick and roll with Brandan Wright), so we hope this is truly the case.</p>
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<p>Dirk and Monta both had solid scoring efforts in limited action, but Vince Carter laid an egg tonight, going 4-15(including a poster-quality block from Bismack Biyombo at the rim), and was the primary culprit in the bottom falling out of tonight's game in the second and third quarters.</p>
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<p>As noted by Ben Swanson of Rufus on Fire, this will be the last time the Charlotte Bobcats face the Dallas Mavericks as the Bobcats. Probably a welcome fact, given the complete domination from Dallas over the 'Cats short and dubious history to this point(they had beat Dallas only once entering tonight). But, it seems they'll get the last laugh.</p>
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<p>Dallas takes one on the chin tonight, but however much it stings, they won't have long to think on it, as tomorrow they face arguably the game's best on the road. This may turn into a bit of a speedbump after the five game win-streak put air back in the Mavericks' sails. Such is the way of an 82 game long season. If anyone was worrying the All-Star Break might get Dallas out of their groove, it turns out this might be a vitally important break. Getting Dirk, Devin, and Ellis(who is fighting through some pain of his own) as healthy as possible is just what the doctor ordered.</p>
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<p><span>Mavericks vs Bobcats coverage</span></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.rufusonfire.com/">Rufus on Fire</a></p>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/11/5403184/final-score-cats-maul-mavs-114-89Ian_Miller2014-02-11T17:01:03-06:002014-02-11T17:01:03-06:00GAME THREAD: Mavericks at Bobcats
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<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Can the Mavs win a sixth straight against a Charlotte team that plays some good defense?</p> <p><strong>WHO:</strong> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Charlotte Bobcats</a></p>
<p><strong>WHAT:</strong> The quest for six wins in a row!</p>
<p><strong>WHERE:</strong> Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina</p>
<p><strong>WHEN:</strong> 6:00 p.m. CST</p>
<p><strong>HOW:</strong> FSSW</p>
<p><strong>THE STORY:</strong> The Mavericks are winners of five straight thanks to a little bit of an easy schedule (finally!) combined with improved play from Sam Dalembert and a lift from Devin Harris. Oh, also, in case you missed it, Dirk, who is playing kind of out of his mind right now. Tonight the team rolls into Charlotte, where they re-match against a much improved Bobcats team that held them under 90 points their first meeting this season. Don't lets sleep on this team -- I think this ends up being a pretty hard fought game. Of course, would be nice if it weren't. That is, if the Mavs are on the winning side of that.</p>
<p>You know the drill: <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/11/5401068/mmb-gameday-stream-2-11-dallas-mavericks-at-charlotte-bobcats">previews here</a> while you wait, and let's go Mavs!</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/11/5401788/game-thread-dallas-mavericks-at-charlotte-bobcatsRebecca Lawson2014-02-11T13:00:03-06:002014-02-11T13:00:03-06:00Talking Bobcats with Rufus on Fire
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<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Ben Swanson, managing editor of our sister blog Rufus on Fire, stopped by to chat about the team he covers ahead of tonight's game.</p> <p>Our friend Ben Swanson over at <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.rufusonfire.com">Rufus on Fire</a> was kind enough to take some time out of his day off to answer some burning <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Bobcats</a> questions for us. Read on below to find out how injuries have changed what Charlotte's done this season, Ben's thoughts on playoffs and the team's future and who he might poach off the Mavs if given the chance. Thanks so much Ben!</p>
<p>And be sure to head over to <a href="http://www.rufusonfire.com">Rufus on Fire</a> for more gameday coverage and to check out <a href="http://www.rufusonfire.com/2014/2/11/5400362/dallas-mavericks-q-a-with-rebecca-lawson-of-mavs-moneyball">my answers to Ben's </a><a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a> questions!</p>
<h4>Last time the Mavs played the Bobcats (December 3), MKG got hurt. How has he played since returning from injury?</h4>
<p>His impact has been fairly big, though mostly that's defensively. The Bobcats' defense started to break down a bit towards the end of his absence but his return has added back the missing defensive talent and discipline that make Charlotte's defense one of the best in the league. His offense still isn't reliable, but it comes and goes and isn't relied upon to do much anyway. The Bobcats are best when their defense is squeezing opponents like ice cream push-ups out of the paint. His versatility being able to cover opponents inside and out helps the Bobcats force challenging shots. And that's where it's really mattered.</p>
<h4>On a somewhat related note, the Bobcats are much improved from last season and that improved play seems tohave continued. They're the 8th seed in the East right now! Look into your crystal ball for me...do they make the playoffs? Do you see them improving even more next season?</h4>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> are just a half-game behind Charlotte and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a> are a couple games back too, so it's hard to say. I haven't taken a look at the Pistons or Knicks' remaining schedules, but the Bobcats' isn't a cakewalk. The team's getting its best play out of <span>Al Jefferson</span> right now and Kemba's return from an ankle sprain should help, but the team will need to click a bit more offensively to hold on to its playoff spot, I think. I've been sidestepping a prediction so far, so let me go ahead and say Yes, I think they'll eke into the playoffs. Detroit just fired their head coach. The Knicks are still a bad defensive team. The chance is certainly there for them to fall but perhaps they won't. It is the East, after all.</p>
<p>I do think they'll improve even more next year. This is just Clifford's first year and he's already installed the foundation to his defense and should have more room to build next year. This should help the offensive cohesiveness with the main players, which has room for improvement. Further, the team could have a couple first round picks and some cap space with Ben Gordon's expiring contract. They can use these assets to add shooting and depth, which they desperately need.</p>
<h4>Has Jeff Taylor's torn Achilles forced the team to change what it was doing before that injury?</h4>
<p><span>A bit. We had such high hopes for him after a promising offseason in FIBA and in Summer League, and the team really needed as much shooting they could get. His injury forced the Bobcats to play <span>Anthony Tolliver</span> and to add Chris Douglas-Roberts. They've done decently, but it would have been interesting to see Taylor's game develop some more because of his shooting, defense and athleticism.</span></p>
<h4>If you could have any player from the Mavs (other than Dirk) for the Bobcats, who would you want and why?</h4>
<p>I can't lie; I haven't watched the Mavs much this year so I'm not really confident in my answer. But I'd probably say DeJuan Blair. They could really use some help in the frontcourt when Al Jefferson takes some rest and on the offensive boards. <span>Jose Calderon</span> is also a good pick. His shooting and passing could really help the offensive spacing and flow off the bench.</p>
<h4>Dallas is fun and Dirk is great and all, but I've never been to Charlotte. Where does one apply to be a "Hornets" blogger for next season? That seems like a cool job.</h4>
<p>Well, I guess they could send me an email, hah. The future is hard to predict but at least there will be really cool colors and better basketball than recent years!</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/11/5401144/talking-bobcats-with-ben-swanson-of-rufus-on-fireRebecca Lawson2014-02-11T09:16:16-06:002014-02-11T09:16:16-06:00Four-Pointer: Previewing the Charlotte Bobcats
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<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Mavs continue their trip East with a visit to Charlotte and the not so bad this year Bobcats. Can they rattle off their sixth win in a row?</p> <h4>What have the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Bobcats</a> done lately?</h4>
<p>The 'Cats last five games have been something of a mixed bag, with wins against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a>, but losses to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a>. That's hardly a list of unimpressive victories, and probably expected losses, so think it's safe to say that the Bobcats have it in them to "surprise" a team on any given night. And, well, these Mavs, though playing very well of late, have shown a frustrating tendency this season to "play down" to an opponent.</p>
<h4>Which team stat might determine the game?</h4>
<p>Rebounding. The Bobcats actually muster up a pretty good defense, with <span>Al Jefferson</span> in the top 20 in the league in total rebounding. The improved energy of Sam Dalembert along with the continued improvement of <span>Devin Harris</span> has helped the Mavs bring more consistency to their defensive game, but if that lets up, look for Charlotte to capitalize.</p>
<h4>Which <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> player might be due for a big game?</h4>
<p>I'll say <span>Jose Calderon</span> finally gets it going to prove those All-Star voters he deserved to be in the three point contest. I mean, sheesh come on y'all. He did this great video and EVERYTHING:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-hmlPInYNyU" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<h4>What to the Mavs need to do to be successful against the Bobcats?</h4>
<p>We probably sound like a broken record on this question, but they just need to hit their shots and play a LITTLE defense. If Sammy D can continue to play well and Dirk et al have at least a reasonably hot hand, that should be all it takes. The Bobcats do have some impressive recent wins on their resume though, so I wouldn't be surprised if they snuck this one out. I think it's actually a closer game than we might think it's going to be...stay tuned.</p>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2014/2/11/5401024/four-pointer-game-preview-charlotte-bobcats-dallas-mavericksRebecca Lawson