Mavs Moneyball - Final: Dallas Mavericks 96, Brooklyn Nets 88Rick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2015-01-05T21:13:57-06:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/72565382015-01-05T21:13:57-06:002015-01-05T21:13:57-06:00Dallas gets an ugly win over Brooklyn in OT, 96-88
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<p>Both Dallas and Brooklyn were playing on tired legs tonight, and it showed. After a hot start from Brooklyn, Dallas fought their way back for an ugly OT win over the Nets.</p> <p>Dallas and Brooklyn both played games on the road last night, and it showed. Despite an impressive first quarter from Brooklyn, both teams looked sluggish and shot poorly, neither cracking 40 percent. Although a fourth quarter run gave Dallas a double-digit lead, Brooklyn made a late run of their own that sent the game to overtime. Dallas managed to get the win, but the highlight of the game was Dirk passing Moses Malone for seventh on the all-time scoring list.</p>
<p>Brooklyn was without <span>Kevin Garnett</span> and <span>Deron Williams</span>, both resting during the second game of a back-to-back, and started both <span>Mason Plumlee</span> and Brook Lopez. This worked well for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a>, helping them to a pretty hot start. Lopez had ten of the Nets' first 12 points on five of five shooting, while Dallas' offense looked much more like a team on a SEGABABA. Dirk, who needed just 13 points to pass Malone on the all-time scorers list, had trouble connecting. <span>Tyson Chandler</span> answered on the other end in an effort to keep Brooklyn from running away with things early, but the Mavs weren't able to hold off the Nets' initial assault.</p>
<p>Despite talk of Dallas' improved defense recently, it wasn't anywhere to be seen during the first quarter. They had some bad luck (Lopez made some improbable shots), but the Mavs forced zero Nets turnovers in the first quarter, and there were moments like this:</p>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><span>Jarrett Jack</span> just blew by <span>Devin Harris</span>, which led to a dunk, which makes me almost as sad as OKC fans.</p>&mdash; Mavs Moneyball (@mavsmoneyball) <a href="https://twitter.com/mavsmoneyball/status/552266190945808386">January 6, 2015</a></blockquote></p>
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<p>Carlisle's frustration with the performance earned him a technical late in the quarter, and the Nets expanded their lead to 13 on the accompanying free throw. An Alan Anderson three with seconds left gave the Nets their largest lead of the night, and the quarter ended with Dallas down 35-21.</p>
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<p>The second quarter got off to a better start for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a>, who cut the lead to six within the first three minutes. Despite poor shooting from <span>Chandler Parsons</span> (who scored his first points of the game with 30 seconds left in the half), Dirk, and <span>Rajon Rondo</span>, who were collectively four of 23, Tyson Chandler and <span>Monta Ellis</span> kept the Mavericks in the game, with some help from <span>Charlie Villanueva</span> and Richard Jefferson. But as tired as the Mavericks looked on offense, the Nets only managed 14 points in the second quarter, shooting just one of 13 from three and closed the half up 49-43.</p>
<p>The third quarter got off to a slow start for both Dallas and Brooklyn, with neither team on the board for nearly two minutes. But Dallas continued to chip away at the lead. Rondo's first made bucket of the evening tied the game at 51 four minutes into the quarter, as Brooklyn's offense continued to regress from their fast start. A Devin Harris jumper a few minutes later put the Mavs up for the first time all evening.</p>
<p>The lead went back and forth for several minutes. Each time it looked like Dallas might finally be ready to break away, things would start to break down. At the four-minute mark, Harris had an amazing block on a <span>Sergey Karasev</span> three that was brilliantly saved from out-of-bounds by Ellis, only to be turned over on a Chandler Parsons travel. But Devin seemed determined to save Dallas from itself, scoring nine points in the third, and the Nets continued to do their part, dropping to just 5.9 percent from three by the end of the third.</p>
<p>One of the best moments of an otherwise frustrating game happened with under three seconds left in the third quarter. Dirk made an incredibly difficult one-legged fade-away (of course he did) and was fouled on the shot. The made free-throw gave him the 12 points he needed this game to tie Moses Malone for seventh on the all-time scorers list. It also tied the game, 65-65.</p>
<p>The Mavericks opened the final quarter with a quick three from JJ Barea. Although Rondo's shooting woes continued, he earned an assist and rebound double-double by the start of the fourth, and Dallas was finally able to get a more substantial lead thanks to a 13-0 run that started late in the third. The Nets fought their way back, though, as the Mavericks continued to look discombobulated on offense, and with just two and a half minutes left they pulled within three on their first three-point make (courtesy of <span>Joe Johnson</span>) since the first quarter. Rondo missed two free throws on the next possession and Johnson hit another three to tie the game. A Jarrett Jack jumper gave Brooklyn the lead with 26 seconds left. Monta Ellis was fouled with 10 seconds left and made both free throws to tie the game. After a timeout, a Joe Johnson iso attempt was unsuccessful, sending the game into overtime.</p>
<p>Ellis put Dallas up early in OT with two quick jumpers. Parsons chose an opportune moment to make his first three-pointer of the evening, giving the Mavs a five point lead with under two minutes remaining. Chandler also came up big in extra time, with four points and two big offensive rebounds. Dirk also shook off his shooting slump to hit a three, giving him his 27,412th point and putting him above Malone on the all-time scoring list. Dallas never trailed in overtime, winning 96-88.</p>
<p>This certainly wasn't the Mavs' prettiest win, but we'll take it. They return to Dallas to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> at home on Wednesday at 7:30pm Central.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/1/5/7497411/mavericks-at-nets-final-score-dallas-gets-an-ugly-win-over-brooklynKate Crawford2015-01-05T21:12:50-06:002015-01-05T21:12:50-06:00Watch Dirk become no. 7 all-time scorer
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<p>What an incredible career.</p> <p>Another game, another passed milestone for <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span>.</p>
<p>Dirk passed Moses Malone in overtime on Monday against the <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nets</a> to become the no. 7 all time NBA scorer. After tying Malone early in the fourth quarter on a 3-point play, Dirk and the Mavericks struggled to close out Brooklyn. Dirk himself missed a couple shots that he could have passed Malone on, but with less than a minute left in the game the ball rotated back to him above the 3-point line and he didn't hesitate. The 3-point shot looked just like it has for 16 years. Swish.</p>
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<p>Now with 27,410 points and counting, Dirk will sit tight at no. 7 for the rest of the year. Shaquille O'Neal is next on the all-time list with 28,598 points and Dirk would have to average more than 25 points a game for the rest of the year to reach that, which won't happen. If Dirk continues his 18 points per game pace, he'd surpass Shaq about 20 games into the 2015-16 season.</p>
<p>Regardless of where he ends up, we are just lucky to have watched a player with a career as amazing as Dirk's. To think that there are only SIX players in the entire history of the NBA with more points than him is just incredible.</p>
<p><i>Do not go gentle into that good night.<br>Rage, rage against the dying of the light.</i></p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/1/5/7497303/dirk-nowitzi-pass-moses-malone-all-time-scorer-highlightsTim Cato2015-01-05T14:19:18-06:002015-01-05T14:19:18-06:00Nets vs. Mavericks: a Q&A with Nets Daily
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<p>Anthony Puccio from Nets Daily stopped by to answer a few question about tonight's game.</p> <h5>
<span>Lionel Hollins</span> has shaken up the <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nets</a>' rotations in December, and it seems to be working pretty well. Can you talk about why you think the team is playing better now? Or do you think it's still too early to say whether this is an actual improvement or just a streak of good luck? The East seems more open than most thought at the beginning of the season, so where do you see this team ending up in the Eastern Conference standings?</h5>
<p>Things really changed once Lionel Hollins inserted <span>Mason Plumlee</span> into the starting lineup. With Lopez injured, the Nets had a different identity to them. Oftentimes with Lopez, the paint would get clogged and most of Brooklyn's shots were contested. With Plumlee, the middle of the paint has opened, which has enabled the perimeter guys to spread the floor and find open shots.</p>
<p>The numbers have spoken. Since turning the corner on December 21, they've averaged 25.2 assists per game, compared to their 20.8 average on the season (18th in NBA). With all of this said, I do believe there's an improvement with this team. They have a lot of work to do, but the East is wide open and I think we've yet to see the best out of this Nets team. Sixth seed sounds fair for this group, if they continue to buy into Coach Hollins' game-plan. Stars on the bench or not.</p>
<h5>A lot of recent commentary has focused on <span>Deron Williams</span> and his new role coming off the bench, but you guys have gotten help from some lesser known players, too. Can you tell us a little bit about Sergey Keresev? He's been playing really well but is probably unfamiliar to a lot of our readers.</h5>
<p><span>Sergey Karasev</span> is a rare breed, a Manu Ginobili-esque shooting guard. Like Plumlee, the lefty was inserted into the starting lineup and it appears he'll be there for a while. At 21 years old, Karasev is a dependable shooter from beyond the arc and thus far, an impressive passer as well. On a negative note, his defense and ball handling need work.</p>
<h5>Speaking of Williams, though, what do you make of assertions that Hollins (and <span>Jarrett Jack</span>) should be concerned about Williams' feelings about coming off the bench? Do you get the sense that he's frustrated or has he embraced his role leading the second unit, especially since he's still seeing decent minutes?</h5>
<p>I'll say the same thing Lionel Hollins would say: It's about the team, not an individual. Of course there's the sense that Deron Williams is fed up with coming off the bench, but it's unjustified for him to be [mad] at Hollins since the team is 6-2 when Jack starts. Perhaps, Hollins is trying to get the most out of his [former] point guard. That's what everybody's waiting for, but for now, Williams is accepting his role and taking advantage of the weaker second units he's matched up against.</p>
<h5>It's always fun to see guys like <span>Kevin Garnett</span> and Dirk still on the floor together (still starting, even), and Garnett will also get a chance to play his old teammate <span>Rajon Rondo</span> tonight. Are there any match-ups in particular you're looking forward to seeing tonight?</h5>
<p>How about the matchup between billionaire owners, Mark Cuban and Mikhail Prokhorov? Eh, we'll hold that off. I'm always interested to see how Deron Williams plays against Dallas, the team he wanted to sign with before Brooklyn signed Joe Johnson. Now with Rondo as his adversary, it makes the matchup a lot more interesting.</p>
<p><i>Thanks, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/apooch">Anthony</a>! For more on the Brooklyn Nets, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets Daily</a>.</i></p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/1/5/7495207/brooklyn-nets-dallas-mavericks-preview-qaKate Crawford2015-01-05T00:00:02-06:002015-01-05T00:00:02-06:00Mavs at Nets preview: bring on Brooklyn
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<p>The Dallas Mavericks take on the Nets at home in Brooklyn. Tip-off is at 6:30pm Central on Fox Sports Southwest.</p> <h4>What did the <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nets</a> do over the summer?</h4>
<p>The Nets have had the highest payroll in the league for the last two seasons, but aside from letting veterans <span>Paul Pierce</span> and <span>Shaun Livingston</span> go, they didn't make many major changes to their roster this summer. The biggest change was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/2014/6/29/5854468/jason-kidd-milwaukee-bucks-coach-brooklyn-nets">the drama</a> surrounding the departure of head coach <span>Jason Kidd</span>, who was traded to Milwaukee for two future second round draft picks. Kidd made the switch after he requested and was denied control of the Nets' front office operations, and the Nets are now coached by former <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Grizzlies</a> head coach Lionel Hollins.</p>
<h4>What have the Nets done lately?</h4>
<p>As of December 19, the Nets were in bad shape. They were 10-15 for the season and had just lost their last three games. Since then they've won six of eight and pulled themselves back to within striking distance of a .500 record (they were sitting at .500 until their close loss last night to the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a>). While their recent schedule hasn't been particularly challenging, their wins include snapping a six-game <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a> winning streak in Chicago and victories against the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a> and the <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nuggets</a>, two tough if not great Western Conference teams.</p>
<p>So what changed? <span>Hollins</span> has shifted both <span>Deron Williams</span> and <span>Brook Lopez</span> to the second unit, bringing them off the bench in favor of <span>Jarrett Jack</span> and <span>Mason Plumlee</span> in the starting line-up. You can <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/2014/12/31/7474705/nets-winning-deron-williams-bench-2014">read more</a> about Hollins' decision to switch up the line-ups, but in a nutshell this has provided the Nets with better balance. Both Jack ad Plumlee have been playing well as starters, and Williams (though still struggling with inefficient shooting) seems to have provided some stability to the second unit, which has shown improved play with the former starters on the floor.</p>
<h4>What is the biggest match-up to watch?</h4>
<p>Both teams will be tired coming off of Sunday games, but it should be interesting to see how <span>Rick Carlisle</span> chooses to counter Brooklyn's new high-powered bench. Deron Williams has stronger on/off court numbers than any of the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a>' back-up guards, and Brook Lopez struggled to start the season, but since mid-December has only once shot below 50 percent from the field in a game. <span>Greg Smith</span> (who left yesterday's game with a muscle strain but is expected to play tonight) has looked fine in limited minutes, but this could be a game where Brandan Wright's presence will be missed, as the Mavericks are still a little weak at center when <span>Tyson Chandler</span> rests, while Lopez seems to be finding his rhythm.</p>
<h4>Which team stat might determine the game?</h4>
<p>The Nets may be looking better, but Brooklyn is still just 23rd in the league in offensive efficiency and 13th in the league on defense. Dallas is still sitting at number one on offense, and their <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/1/2/7479739/rajon-rondo-dallas-mavericks-statsketball">defense has improved</a> since Rajon Rondo's arrival. In short, Dallas is a much better team than even the seemingly improved Nets, and even though they're coming off a Sunday game, no Maverick played more than 30 minutes in an <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/1/4/7491117/mavs-cruise-in-cleveland-while-lebron-sits">easy win</a>. Anything can happen in a single game, but this will be Brooklyn's biggest challenge since they've started to heat up.</p>
<p>Tune in at 6:30pm Central on Fox Sports Southwest, if for no other reason than to possibly see this happen:</p>
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<p>Tune in tomorrow night because Dirk needs 13 to pass Moses for 7th on the all-time scoring list.</p>
— Bobby Karalla (@bobbykaralla) <a href="https://twitter.com/bobbykaralla/status/551839242628759552">January 4, 2015</a>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/1/5/7489991/dallas-mavericks-at-brooklyn-nets-game-time-channelKate Crawford