GDT: game 9 - Magic (6-3) at Mavs (4-4) 7:30 FSSW

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Maxi out 10-14 days for protocol. How on earth is Silver letting this continue?

Wow that's tough

Who do think will start until things get settled again

My best guess would be based on the last game

WCS
Johnson
Iwundo
THJ
Luka

Bench

Boban
Powell
Hinton
Green
Burke

[mac222b]

Luka’s defense looks much improved. Really impressed with his effort and smarts in that regard over these last few. Feeling like he could eventually be a real plus on that end if we get another ball handler scorer to lighten his load.

[VA-Mavs-Fan]

It sounds like they are doing contact tracing, based on Maxi's (presumably) positive test. So, is it possible more Mavs could be ruled out, based on contact tracing? Hopefully not...

Looks like Not - https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/st...22013057200132

[MFFL]

I'm happy that its contained

But the conversations with opposing players after the game has to end

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by mac222b

Luka’s defense looks much improved. Really impressed with his effort and smarts in that regard over these last few. Feeling like he could eventually be a real plus on that end if we get another ball handler scorer to lighten his load.

I was thinking the exact same thing these past two games. I always figured he had the potential to be a good defensive player. Not great, but good. Arguably the most important aspect of defense in today's NBA is versatility- i.e. being able to guard multiple positions and being able to switch. Luka's so big and strong that he can switch onto almost anyone and not be mismatched. A little like Jason Kidd back in the day. If he can apply his genius level basketball IQ to the defensive end the way he does on offense, then there's no reason he can't be an above average defender. The sample size is too small to judge yet, but the past couple of games looked like he's really starting to figure it out on defense- passing lanes in particular.

[Dallas41]

Surprised no one one is talking about this

According to Rick Carlisle, there was one really important aspect of the game that flew under the radar — the defensive play of newcomer Wes Iwundu off the bench.

"Our bench really gave us a lift. Wes Iwundu did a tremendous job off the bench,” said head coach Rick Carlisle after the game.

“I don't know if he scored a basket, but he was a plus-17 and he chased (Terrence) Ross around, who is a deadly weapon for them. He deserves a lot of credit for this win."

Terrence Ross is off to his best shooting and scoring start in his nine-year career for Orlando this season, averaging 18 points per game on 42% shooting from deep heading into last night’s game. Ross finished with 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting (0-of-4 from deep) with Iwundu hounding him all game long.

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by tap2390

So he went from 11 mpg (IMO barely cracking the rotation) to more than double that over the past three games. My point stands.

We have different definitions of insisting and rotation. Powell started 2/3 of 9 early season games with Porzingis sidelined. WCS is a new player and he already became the starter 7 games in while also playing every single game.