Mavs Moneyball - Gameday: Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles LakersRick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2015-04-12T22:59:59-05:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/81575922015-04-12T22:59:59-05:002015-04-12T22:59:59-05:00Mavs pound short-handed Lakers 120-106
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In a very meaningless game the Mavericks got a nice tuneup before the playoffs against the lottery-bound Lakers.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a> are locked into the seventh seed in the Western Conference. The <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> are locked into a probable top-5 lottery pick this summer. Dallas rested two players. Los Angeles had 10 guys dressed. The season premiere of what is perhaps the most popular TV show in the country was tonight. This was the most meaningless game in the history of everything (don't face check me).</p>
<p>But I watched it. What happened? Well the Mavs pretty much treated it as a scrimmage. The starters that did play got their work in, overwhelmed the significantly less-talented Lakers and the end of the bench guys got some good burn.</p>
<p>There were actually some cool things tonight. <span>Richard Jefferson</span> got a couple dunks in the first half and Dirk made his first three shots in the first half. Spoiler alert, but you're gonna be reading about how good Dirk has been in April sometime Monday morning. But it was nice to see Dirk drain a transition three and score off a post-up in the first quarter. <span>Rajon Rondo</span> also threw Dirk a behind the back post entry pass. That was neat.</p>
<p>In the second quarter the Mavericks kept cruising. DIRK DUNKED.</p>
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<p>I felt really bad for the Lakers tonight. At one point they had a lineup that had four players who spent time in the D-League this season...and <span>Robert Sacre</span>. I mean, it's bad enough you have probably the worst coach in the NBA right now (or the tankiest) but then the injuries, the D-League call ups...wait, I'm not feeling bad for the Lakers. Sorry.</p>
<p><span>Rick Carlisle</span> carefully managed the minutes in the second half as the starters actually reentered the game in the fourth quarter but no starter played big minutes. Again, this was just to make sure the starters got their work so they could keep sharp as the playoffs loom.</p>
<p>The poor Lakers also forgot that <span>Tyson Chandler</span> is allowed to catch basketballs and throw them violently threw hoops. Chandler had 20 points on 9-of-10 shooting and at least 4 or 5 of his dunks came without a Laker within two feet of him.</p>
<p>What else? Rondo knocked down some shots! <span>Charlie Villanueva</span> had a hilarious no-look dime to <span>Al-Farouq Aminu</span> for a dunk and for the rest of the game whenever Charlie V was on the break he kept trying to do it again. THAT'S HOW YOU EARN THAT 17 PER BABY. He also drilled three 3-pointers.</p>
<p>Last, but certainly not least, RAYMOND FELTON. On Friday, <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/4/11/8386735/raymond-felton-hits-game-winning-layup-becomes-dallas-folk-hero" target="_blank">he broke the soul </a>of the <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Nuggets</a>. For his encore he got 16 minutes and scored 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting. He looked good! I mean about as good as a veteran NBA starter can look against D-Leaguers. Watching the <span>Raymond Felton</span> show will easily make the finaly handful of Mavs games much easier to watch.</p>
<p>HOWEVER THERE WASN'T ENOUGH DWIGHT POWELL WHY WASN'T THERE MORE DWIGHT POWELL I DEMAND MORE DWIGHT POWELL BEFORE THIS SEASON ENDS.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/4/12/8397285/mavericks-vs-lakers-final-score-dallas-dispatches-short-handed-losJosh Bowe2015-04-12T12:00:03-05:002015-04-12T12:00:03-05:00Dallas seeks the series sweep against Lakers
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Locked into the 7th seed, Dallas continues its quest for its first 50-win season since the championship year. The Lakers should help in that quest.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>First of all, I don't really know what to say with this preview. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> are pretty well set for avoiding giving their 1st round pick to the Sixers, and the Mavs are firmly locked into the 7th seed. So what is there really to play for here?</span></p>
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<h4><b><span>No but really, what is there to play for?</span></b></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>While the Lakers are for once buried in the avalanche of their inadequacy, Dallas may yet gain their first 50-win season<br> since 2011. That is literally the only thing left to play for. Otherwise, it's all about getting healthy for the playoffs. </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>I have no idea who is playing in this game. Probably Ray Felton will be the hero again. Because why the hell not?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lakers are currently the 4th worse team by record, and if they aren't in the worst 5, their 1st round pick goes to Philadelphia. So... everyone is sort of invested in having Dallas win this game, right?</p>
<h4><b><span>What have the Lakers done lately?</span></b></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>The Lakers are 1-6 so far in the month of April. Nick Young and <span>Jordan Hill</span> are carrying the Lakers. This is where they are right now. Friday night, the Lakers actually looked pretty decent against the T-Wolves, with the entire starting lineup scoring in double figures. <span>Ryan Kelly</span>, <span>Jabari Brown</span>, <span>Jordan Clarkson</span>, and <span>Tarik Black</span> are all playing well of late. No, I haven't heard of any of these </span>people<span> either. (I'm only joking a little.)</span></font></p>
<h4><span>Who even plays for the Lakers these days and is there anyone worth watching?</span></h4>
<p><span>L.A.'s starting power forward Ryan Kelly has had a couple of good games for the Lakers. He hit 5-6 3-pointers against Minny, and shot 75% against Denver a couple of nights before. Dirk has proven that he isn't too interested in chasing guys around the three point line anymore, so this may be an interesting matchup. Jordan Clarkson has also hit double digit scoring in the past three games, and unless Rondo is back Sunday, the 6-5 rookie point guard will look to do some more damage against the Mavs.</span></p>
<h4><span>Who has it all more, Monta or Swaggy P?</span></h4>
<p>Well, Monta is our guy right? But Swaggy is fun as hell, and Monta pouted his way all around the court in overtime against Denver. I have an irrational love for Swaggy, who should honestly be the player-coach of the Lakers. I mean, how much fun would that be?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Swaggy P has a knee injury and won't be playing. So Monta shouldn't have much competition in the "have it all department."</p>
<h4><span><b>How many points will the Mavs win by?</b></span></h4>
<p>I would like to say a lot, but after the double overtime debacle in Denver, is anyone convinced of that? Honestly, Felton, Sarge, and Powell should play a lot of minutes in Los Angeles, and the Mavs should still win comfortably. That is the way this game ought to go. But with these Mavs, who knows?</p>
<p>Ideally, none of the starters will play a lot of minutes. Dallas needs rest and health going into the playoffs, and this game is the definition of meaningless.</p>
<h4><b><span>Game information</span></b></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>8:30 p.m. Central on Fox Sports Southwest. It's a Sunday game, so LA will be wearing white. So everyone enjoy that I guess?</span></p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/4/12/8390681/mavericks-vs-lakers-preview-game-time-channelBailey Grey