Mavs Moneyball - Final: Golden State Warriors 123, Dallas Mavericks 110Rick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2015-04-05T20:01:36-05:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/81084062015-04-05T20:01:36-05:002015-04-05T20:01:36-05:00Shaun Livingston suspended 1 game for nutshot against Dirk<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/584842413400686592">Shaun Livingston suspended 1 game for nutshot against&nbsp;Dirk</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Dirk gave Livingston the benefit of the doubt, but the NBA decided it was worth giving him a day off.</p></p></div>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/4/5/8351047/shaun-livingston-suspended-1-game-for-nutshot-against-dirkTim Cato2015-04-05T00:45:06-05:002015-04-05T00:45:06-05:00"I really enjoyed his tight grip"
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hOqXGOTcLX6o1JNKORgr5qbQWOg=/0x91:2623x1840/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46050188/usa-today-8500043.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>THESE DIRK POST GAME QUOTES ARE NSFW. (Not really, though.)</p> <h4><span>Rick Carlisle</span></h4>
<p>On what he said to <span>Shaun Livingston</span> <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/4/4/8346451/shaun-livingston-punches-dirk-in-the-nuts-who-almost-ends-him">after his flagrant 1</a>: "Not quite sure."</p>
<p>What are your recollections of it? "It's not for public consumption."</p>
<p>On what he thought of the play: "I didn't see the play but if they called a flagrant foul on it there had to be something there. You don't want to see stuff like that, especially on guys like Dirk. It's not appropriate, you know, it's just not right."</p>
<p>On the missed free throws: "We've got to get better at the free throw line. It has hurt us in recent games and recent weeks and we got there 54 times, which is probably a high for the year, and that's a real positive, but we give back 15. We're better than what we're doing and we just got to get back to concentration on routine and process."</p>
<p>On whether the problem was the Mavs' offense or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a>' defense: "We had a lot of turnovers in the first quarter. We got it down in the second quarter and we played much better. They're a great defensive team and we didn't have a good offensive game. Dirk going out with fouls in the first half doesn't help things. We were still able to hang in there but we were never able to get the lead because every time we went to the line."</p>
<h4><span>Dirk Nowitzki</span></h4>
<p>On Livingston's flagrant 1: "I give him the benefit of the doubt. He's really not that type of player. He hasn't been his entire career. I'm not really sure what he was trying to do there, whether he was trying to get to the ball through my legs or anything, but he's not a dirty player. He's actually a really, really good dude, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. [joking] I really enjoyed his tight grip. Really enjoyed that."</p>
<blockquote style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-version="4" class="instagram-media">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div>
</div>
<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a target="_top" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" href="https://instagram.com/p/1FLqbniCuF/">Dirk on Livingston's groin punch.</a></p>
<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A video posted by Austin Ngaruiya (@garooya) on <time datetime="2015-04-05T05:09:01+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Apr 4, 2015 at 10:09pm PDT</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
</p>
<p>On what Livingston said after: "He just said it, he didn't mean to. He was just trying to play defense and I guess it happened. It got caught where he didn't want it to get caught, I guess. Like I said, he's a good dude. He's never done anything like that in his career, so I give him credit for that."</p>
<p>On the free throws: "We've missed a bunch of free throws. We've been shooting some extra ones in practice, we've been shooting some extra ones after shootaround. It's a tough stretch. You have to concentrate more and lock in."</p>
<p>On whether five games is enough time to establish momentum: "We've got no choice. We gotta get healthy, compete on defense, get our coverages right, get our rotations straight. But really, like I said the other day, any team you face up there presents different challenges. That's why the Western Conference is so loaded and the top teams are so good."</p>
<p>On whether he expects a suspension on Livingston: "I have no idea. I'm never worried about stuff like that. I don't think it was intention on his part."</p>
<h4><span>Rajon Rondo</span></h4>
<p>On his knee: "I'm fine."</p>
<p>Can he play Wednesday? "Yeah."</p>
<p>On what happened: "I just landed wrong. I'll be fine."</p>
<p>On whether he could have gone back into the game: "I don't know. I got looked at by the doctor. It wasn't what I thought it was."</p>
<p>On whether he was worried it was an ACL: "At first, because I was able to go back into the game when I tore my ACL a couple of years ago. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't the same thing. It's not the worst thing that could have happened so I'm fine."</p>
<h4>Amar'e Stoudemire</h4>
<p>On the effort: "We didn't play particularly well tonight. Golden State is great, but we didn't play well tonight."</p>
<p>On the team's mindset: "I think we have a lot to prove. We're a team that can be very competitive in the postseason. We need to key in on the minor mistakes we're making out there and sharpen up and see what we can do."</p>
<h4><span>Tyson Chandler</span></h4>
<p>On bouncing back: "We have a couple of practice days ahead of us. We need to do a good job of getting back to the basics and concentrate on the defensive end and rebounding. We need to limit teams to tough shots."</p>
<p>On when the game got away: "Some costly turnovers and a lot of missed free throws in the first half made the game seem a lot worse than it was. They were hitting shots and we didn't."</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/4/5/8347065/mavericks-warriors-quoteboard-interview-dirk-shaun-livingston-nut-groin-punchTim Cato2015-04-04T23:40:00-05:002015-04-04T23:40:00-05:00Cuban yells at Livingston, Kerr after cheap shot
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zKCxzRT17PhFdPdAnL2A0qp5gnA=/0x1:572x382/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46047522/Screenshot_2015-04-04_at_9.54.40_PM.0.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Nobody was happy after a cheap shot, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.</p> <p><b>Update 11:31 p.m.: </b>After the game, Mark Cuban reportedly confronted Steve Kerr and Livingston on the court after the game.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Mark Cuban's verbal spat with Kerr and Gentry seems to have deescalated. Gentry to the locker room</p>
— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) <a href="https://twitter.com/SherwoodStrauss/status/584556850231640067">April 5, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Basics of the argument as far as I can tell. Cuban was mad about Livingston, Gentry was retorting that he got 54 free throws</p>
— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) <a href="https://twitter.com/SherwoodStrauss/status/584558474803060736">April 5, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Shaun Livingston to Mark Cuban on way off floor: "I'm not a dirty player." Cuban: "Nobody plays post defense like that."</p>
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/584558294917754880">April 5, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>In the locker room to media, both Tyson Chandler and Devin Harris said they knew Livingston personally and didn't think he would do that on purpose. Dirk said he didn't have any lingering issues from the cheap shot.</p>
<p>"I give him the benefit of the doubt," Nowitzki said. "He's really not that type of player. He hasn't been his entire career. I'm not really sure what he was trying to do there, whether he was trying to get to the ball through my legs or anything, but he's not a dirty player. He's actually a really, really good dude, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt."</p>
<p>He added sarcastically: "I really enjoyed his tight grip. Really enjoyed that."</p>
<p>Dirk said he wasn't worried about whether Livingston will receive a suspension for the play or not. The Warriors play on Sunday against the Spurs.</p>
<p>★★★</p>
<p><b>Original post: </b>Look, <span>Shaun Livingston</span> clearly has a disadvantage trying to match Dirk one-on-one in the post. He chooses a, uh, poor method to try to mitigate that. You can't do that, Shaun.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://vine.co/v/OlIexmiWKWZ/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
</p>
<p>The <i>entirety</i> of the American Airlines Center booed him after a replay, prompting the referees to stop Dirk -- who was about to take his free throws -- and review the play for a flagrant. They would assess a flagrant one.</p>
<p>Let's take another look at Dirk's reaction. That's that German anger.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://vine.co/v/OlIeLjxqUze/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
</p>
<p>The crowd proceeded to boo Livingston every time he touched the ball for most of the rest of the game. Today's lesson: don't mess with Dirk, and ESPECIALLY don't mess with Dirk in Dallas.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/4/4/8346451/shaun-livingston-punches-dirk-in-the-nuts-who-almost-ends-himTim Cato2015-04-04T22:22:49-05:002015-04-04T22:22:49-05:00Mavs play admirably, loses 123-110 to Warriors
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1SR4DzJ8aELPDfW2fAA_0WvjUo4=/0x820:2203x2289/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46047618/usa-today-8499378.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>All things considered, the Mavericks' loss on Saturday wasn't really that bad.</p> <p>Before we discuss the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Mavericks</a>' 123-110 loss to the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden State Warriors</a>, let's remember something: Golden State could win their final six games and have a 69-13 record, which would be tied for the second-best in NBA history.</p>
<p>Due to rest games and tough West playoff opponents, it's unlikely to happen. But who cares. This Warriors team is unbelievably, frighteningly good at basketball.</p>
<p>Dallas played them well, honestly. Without Chandler Parsons, there's only so much they could do. <span>Rick Carlisle</span> said before the game that Parsons was really starting to take his game to "quantum" levels in the recent weeks since returning from a bone bruise. I'm not sure any of us know when exactly it happened, but Parsons had risen to be the Mavs' most important player on a night to night basis.</p>
<p>It was pretty obvious how this game would end before it even started, but it was very obvious when the Warriors caught fire to open the third quarter. The Mavericks would actually briefly cut it to nine-points thanks to a generous amount of bench minutes from Steve Kerr, but a real comeback never felt possible. By the end of the fourth, Carlisle had the end of his bench finishing it out.</p>
<p>The mismatches and outgunned lineups started early. Carlisle's first sub to open the game is often <span>Al-Farouq Aminu</span> for <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span>, but sticking with that when Jefferson is in for Parsons is ambitious. Somehow, the Mavericks stuck with Golden State for that several minute stretch despite <span>Monta Ellis</span> being the team's second-best 3-point shooter, bullying their way through the Warriors' defense to account for a total lack of space. They finished the first quarter down just 26-24 despite allowing nine points to the Warriors off six turnovers.</p>
<p>The Mavs are prepared to finish this season with the lowest free throw percentage (currently 75 percent) since 1998-99, and it bit them hard in the second quarter. Dallas finished 35-50 for the game, with 10 of the 15 misses coming in the first half. A double digit halftime deficit could have been much closer with a better showing at the line.</p>
<p>Of injury concerns, <span>Rajon Rondo</span> left early in the third quarter with a hyperextended knee. He came down on it awkwardly and immediately went to the floor, but walked off on his own power and didn't need to go to the bench. We'll have more on his status when it comes available. After the game, he said it was more of a scare and he should be able to play in the Mavs' home game on Wednesday.</p>
<p>This team has been frustrating to watch and really hasn't played well for vast stretches since the All Star break, but this is a good game to file away and forget about. All things considered, playing a team that will go down as historically good, without a player who had been the team's best for a solid month, this game really wasn't all that bad.</p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>With Dirk in early foul trouble, Al-Farouq Aminu ended up playing a ton of minutes, finishing with 30 for the game. His ability to switch onto virtually any player is absolutely crucial for the Mavericks to mitigate their constant matchup problems. I started off not sure what to make of him as a player and his offensive game was frustrating for a while, but the manner in which he provides defense and rebounding is irreplaceable on this current Mavericks' roster.</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/4/4/8346451/shaun-livingston-punches-dirk-in-the-nuts-who-almost-ends-him">Shaun Livingston uppercutted Dirk Nowitzki in the balls and Mark Cuban got pissed about it.</a></li>
<li>The Warriors are so damn good. Have I said that enough? They notched 28 assists on 43 made shots. Steph Curry only had 11 points on 4-12 shooting and they still destroyed the Mavericks. With Chandler Parsons, I think Dallas could have made this a game for longer, but for how long? Not likely 48 minutes.</li>
<li>Aminu also <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/4/4/8346101/al-farouq-aminu-nearly-dunks-on-two-mop-boys/in/8108406">nearly dunked on two mop boys.</a>
</li>
<li>A three-day break ought to be good for this team. Their final five games ease up a little. They've got the No. 7 seed all but locked up after that thrilling win over the Thunder. Enjoy the time off, guys.</li>
</ul>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/4/4/8345925/mavericks-final-score-dallas-plays-admirably-loses-big-to-warriorsTim Cato2015-04-04T20:10:48-05:002015-04-04T20:10:48-05:00Al-Farouq Aminu nearly dunks on two mop boys<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/OljDFb1xM2X/embed/simple" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>This could have even waaay worse for Mop Boy No. 1 and 2.</p></p></div>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/4/4/8346101/al-farouq-aminu-nearly-dunks-on-two-mop-boysTim Cato2015-04-04T09:35:15-05:002015-04-04T09:35:15-05:00Can the Mavs contain Steph Curry?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/B9_mma2SStCCwvCYyLs3Pz8wBDo=/0x132:2530x1819/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46043818/usa-today-8367129.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Warriors have torched the Mavs three times this year, and now Chandler Parsons may not be able to play in this fourth game.</p> <h4>What have the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> done lately?</h4>
<p>The real question should be, what haven't they done lately? All the Warriors do is win games that they don't need to be winning. On the road against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> and Thursday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a>, the Warriors didn't need to win those games. This is all a part of their plan for global basketball domination, and <span>Stephen Curry</span> is the ring leader behind it all. If he's not the MVP this year, then basketball is a game full of lies.</p>
<p>Those are just two wins of this 11-game winning streak Golden State is on. Not to mention the Warriors also soundly defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a>, at FedEx Forum on March 27 and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> at home on March 18. They not only are beating teams, but convincingly beating them, which says a lot as they head into the playoffs with the league's best record.</p>
<h4>How do the Mavs stop Stephen Curry?</h4>
<p>Easier said than done, considering Curry has been the Mavs' killer the last couple of years. Hell, the man even scored 51 points on Dallas back on Feb. 4, so there's really no stopping this guy.</p>
<p>And even if you double-team him, Curry's vision is out of this world, and he has enough weapons around him that he has no problem giving the ball up. He averages close to eight assists per game for a reason. But if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> are going to win this game, they need to hope either <span>Rajon Rondo</span> plays superb lockdown defense, or he just has an off night. And if he is off, that's why <span>Klay Thompson</span> isn't too far behind, knocking down 3-pointers and attacking the basket with reckless abandon.</p>
<h4>Which Maverick needs to have a big game?</h4>
<p>Barring unforeseen circumstances, there's a good chance <span>Chandler Parsons</span> may not play tonight, so there goes one bulk of your scoring out the window. And as much as it's going to cringe to say this, <span>Monta Ellis</span> needs to have the game of his life.</p>
<p>After Thursday, Ellis being asked to take a game over is probably out of the realm of possibility. He shot 7-of-21 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> and missed four crucial free throws. There have been plenty of these games the last month or so, and it's clearly hurt the Mavs' offensive production.</p>
<p>The first three games have shown that Golden State has a plan for how to defend <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span>, and that plan is Draymond Green. His length and strength gives Dirk fits more than any other smaller defender in the league. There's a good chance Dirk will have another quiet night against the Warriors, so it'll be up to Ellis. If Ellis can be that 38-point scorer like he was against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a>, Dallas has a chance to pull off the upset and make that magic number on clinching a playoff spot even smaller.</p>
<h4>What do the Mavs need to do to be successful against the Warriors?</h4>
<p>Pray would be a good start, but the Mavs need to be very quick and active on defense. Golden State is in that Atlanta/San Antonio status of having players do an amazing job moving without the ball. They're always lurking around the 3-point line and they're always coming off the pick-and-roll and screening towards the basket.</p>
<p>There are so many weapons that Golden State has at its disposal that Dallas will need to have its best defensive performance of the year. And if they can do that, then the next step is try to score in transition. When the Mavericks get out and run, Rondo is a more dangerous point guard and Ellis is a more dangerous scorer.</p>
<h4>Time & TV</h4>
<p>7:30 p.m. CT on FSSW</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/game-coverage/2015/4/4/8343535/mavericks-warriors-preview-can-dallas-contain-stephen-curryDanny Webster