Postgame: Mavs Beat Cavs - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

BGMaverick9 · 01-02-2011, 09:41 PM

http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2011/1/...104-95-victory

Again, the Dallas Mavericks were short-handed as they went against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The difference tonight was the Mavericks were able to get a balanced scoring attack and that led to 104-95 victory for the Mavericks. The Mavericks had five players score in double figures, they are now 14-1 when they have 5 players in double-figures. The starting five were the players in double figures. With the win, Dallas ended their three-game losing streak and avoid their first four-game slide since January 9-14, 2009. The Mavs also were able to hand the Cavaliers their 17th loss in their last 18 games. Dallas moved to 17-0 when they score 100 or more points.

It was a battle between two short-handed units between the Mavericks and the Cavaliers. Anderson Varejao (9.8 rebounds per game) missed the game as he was recovering from a broken cheekbone. The Mavericks were without Dirk Nowitzki and Caron Butler due to knee injuries. The confirmation on the severity of Butler's injury will be determined on Monday as he has an MRI on his knee.

The Mavericks went with their sixth different starting lineup with Jason Terry and Shawn Marion joining Jason Kidd, DeShawn Stevenson and Tyson Chandler in the starting five. It was Terry's first start since November 6th, he was a starter during the first five games of the season for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks got off to hot start with a 12-2 run to start the game. Tyson Chandler led four of five Mavs starters that were able to score in the opening quarter, he scored 8 points. Dallas had a lot of energy to start the game and were scoring inside and outside. The defense was solid as well as they held Cleveland scoreless until the 9:30 mark of the opening quarter. The bench was unable to sustain the lead as the Cavaliers were able to push the tempo against the Mavericks. The Cavaliers run nearly evaporated all of Dallas' double-digit lead (14 points) as the score was 27-25 in favor of the Mavericks after the first quarter. Both teams shot over 50% from the field in the opening quarter.

The bench was able to regroup to start the second quarter and take back the lead after Cleveland took an early lead in the second quarter. The Mavericks were able to build a double-digit lead during the quarter, but they were really unable to slow the Cavaliers down. Cleveland had 3-of-12 shooting start. After that rough start, the Cavs had a stretch were they were able to hit 15-of-20 which allowed them to stay in the game as it went to half; the Mavericks led 55-47 at halftime.

Dallas came out in the second half a little sluggish but quickly got their footing. Timely steals led to transition offense for Dallas and that allowed them to maintain a healthy lead. A 9-0 run allowed the Mavericks to gain their largest lead of the game, 17 points at 76-59. Former Maverick Antawn Jamison led the charge for the Cavaliers and his effort allowed the Cavaliers to shrink the Mavericks' lead to 10 at 79-69 going into the third quarter.

The fourth quarter started slowly for both teams. The Mavericks only scored four points in the first 3 minutes of the quarter. Luckily, the Cavaliers didn't score their first bucked until the 8:36 mark of the final quarter, they started 0-8 from the field until that first bucket. Dallas was able to continue their balanced scoring attack in the quarter to record the victory.

The Mavericks were really able to take advantage of the small front-line for the Cavaliers as they were able to score 38 points in the paint. They were led by Tyson Chandler and Shawn Marion in that department as they did their damage in the painted area. Chandler recorded his 5th double-double of the season with 14 points and 14 rebounds . The Mavericks are now 5-0 when Chandler records a double-double. Marion returned after a one game absence due to a leg contusion and made up for lost time by scoring 22 points and added 5 rebounds. The 22 points for Marion marked a new season-high and the Mavericks are now 3-0 when Marion reaches the 20-point scoring mark.

DeShawn Stevenson (Threevenson) started the game 0-2 from beyond the arc but quickly found the range and went 5-12 from beyond the arc. He scored a season-high 21 points. Stevenson's 5 three-point shots made also tied a career-high.

With the recent outbreak of injuries for the Mavericks, they recalled rookie Dominique Jones from Frisco to Cleveland to join the Mavericks for today's game against the Cavaliers. Jones had averaged 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 10 D-League games. Jones got minutes and was effective during the tail end of the first quarter and leading into the second quarter. His game was similar to the one while he was in Frisco. The rookie was aggressive on both sides of the floor and actually triggered the offense on many occasions. He finished the game with a new season and career-high 9 points and added 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and a steal in 21 minutes of action. He shot 2-10 from the field but he was aggressive and showed that the work in Frisco paid off.

Over the last two games, Terry went 6-31 from the field. Terry was able to hit his first shot and went 3-6 from the field in the opening quarter. Early, the former Sixth Man of the Year looked a little tentative on both sides of the floor, but the third quarter got Jason Terry going. He finished with 18 points on 8-14 shooting from the field. Terry added 4 assists and 2 steals in the game. The Mavericks are 10-2 on the year when Terry records 2 or more steals in a game.

During the three-game losing streak, the Mavericks were averaging 85.3 points on 40.5% shooting from the field and 31.2% from the three-point line. The offense came alive tonight as they scored 104 points on 48.2% shooting from the field and 37% from the three-point line. The game did mark the first game in 37 match-ups, dating back to last season, where the Mavericks allowed a team to shoot 50% from the field. The Cavaliers shot 50.6% from the field.

Dallas moved to 6-1 on the second night of a back-to-back. The Mavericks will have a day to rest up and learn the severity of Caron Butler's injury. They'll return to the American Airlines Center January 4 to host the Portland Trail Blazers. The Mavericks won their last match-up against the Blazers, 103-98, on December 15.

Rick41 · 01-02-2011, 09:43 PM

I miss Dirk.

mavs777 · 01-02-2011, 09:49 PM

Cleveland is a very bad team. I would like to see them play Duke with Irving healthy

Bayliss · 01-02-2011, 09:52 PM

Dominique shot poorly but had a very nice game.

BGMaverick9 · 01-02-2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayliss

Dominique shot poorly but had a very nice game.

I think he's still learning the process of finishing at the basket against pro competition. He's getting to the basket, just needs to work on the finish.

He's worked on that floater and I think he nailed the floater he took.

fluid.forty.one · 01-02-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick41

I miss Dirk.

me too

CadBane · 01-02-2011, 10:03 PM

I thought DeShawn stepped up big.

FINtastic · 01-02-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

I think he's still learning the process of finishing at the basket against pro competition. He's getting to the basket, just needs to work on the finish.

He's worked on that floater and I think he nailed the floater he took.

I missed the game (got busy with the Cowboy game and didn't realize the Mavs game was an early one). I'm sad I didn't get to watch Dojo play as I've always liked his all-around game. Looks like he's still gotta figure out how to score, but this was an encouraging first step.

BGMaverick9 · 01-02-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FINtastic

I missed the game (got busy with the Cowboy game and didn't realize the Mavs game was an early one). I'm sad I didn't get to watch Dojo play as I've always liked his all-around game. Looks like he's still gotta figure out how to score, but this was an encouraging first step.

He had a couple of jumpers that didn't roll and 1-2 layups that rolled out.
He seriously was the focal point of the offense during a stretch in the second quarter, he was running the show.

He showed some nice court vision and could see plays develop on both sides of the floor.

mavs777 · 01-02-2011, 10:15 PM

Dojo has a long way to go offensivly, but I like his passing and rebounding

grndmstr_c · 01-02-2011, 10:15 PM

Marion looked like he was playing through pain to me. If so, props to him for gutting it out and helping the team get a much needed win.

Nice to see JET find his shot again.

I also thought DoJo looked better than his line in the box score.

And I continue to be impressed by Stevenson. Has there been a more consistent player on the team this season? Just night-in, night-out solid defense and efficient scoring in the flow of the offense.

LonghornDub · 01-02-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CadBane

I thought DeShawn stepped up big.

Co-sign. Great game from the artist formerly known as Honest Abe.

sefant77 · 01-02-2011, 10:18 PM

Give DoJo two of the roll-outs and he has a really really good statsline.

His statsline 9p 5r 3a 2b 1a 0 TO in 21min.

bernardos70 · 01-02-2011, 10:36 PM

I never saw anything in DoJo before, but tonight, I felt he played very well. He does need to finish those hard drives he makes though. But at least he's driving it. Sort of echoing what other people have already said here, but anyway...

Butler has been driving to the basket quite a bit lately, and with him out, I'd love for DoJo to pick up the slack in that category.

Underdog · 01-02-2011, 11:04 PM

Chandler's 14/14 (6-6 shooting, 4 offensive rebounds), Shawn Marion's 22 points on 11-16 shooting and Jason Terry returning to relevance with 18 points on 8-14 shooting were definitely standouts this evening, but Stevenson playing like a real NBA starter by scoring 21 points while shooting 46% from the field and 42% from the 3-point line really made the difference tonight.

We needed this win, but I wish some of these guys could've played like this against the Raptors and Bucks...

dude1394 · 01-03-2011, 01:11 AM

Playing against the worst team in the league cures lots of ills.

JHT · 01-03-2011, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavs777

Cleveland is a very bad team. I would like to see them play Duke with Irving healthy

But they're better than the lineup Toronto put out there when they destroyed the Mavs... so at least it's progress... sort of.

JHT · 01-03-2011, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FINtastic

I missed the game (got busy with the Cowboy game and didn't realize the Mavs game was an early one). I'm sad I didn't get to watch Dojo play as I've always liked his all-around game. Looks like he's still gotta figure out how to score, but this was an encouraging first step.

He was actually a lot better than his box score reflects. For the first time since he's been on the team, he actually really looked like he belonged in the NBA.

Several of his misses were on fouls, which were called when he took it hard to the rim, and then he converted on freethrows.

He really looked good out ther.e

41mvp · 01-03-2011, 08:39 AM

Congratulations guys!Matrix was incredible.DoJo showed very good basketball.Terry returned to his good level.Once again congratulations guys!

I believe!

b_o_r · 01-03-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHT

He was actually a lot better than his box score reflects. For the first time since he's been on the team, he actually really looked like he belonged in the NBA.

Several of his misses were on fouls, which were called when he took it hard to the rim, and then he converted on freethrows.

He really looked good out ther.e

When you are fouled, the shot doesn't count unless it is made.

He was under control and he played well, but those shots he took will have to start falling for him to stay at the NBA level. His 3pt form looks stiff.

SMC0007 · 01-03-2011, 10:44 AM

Dojo is more of a point guard than a SG. It's gonna be fun to watch him develop. He could be either one probably but I'd rather see him run the team in the future.

DeShawn has been really really solid. Badass defender, great passer, and this year a consistent shooter. Way to go.

dude1394 · 01-03-2011, 11:03 AM

I'm not so sure I agree with you about dojo being a pg rather than a sg. I see him as a playmaker in the ginobbli, shooting guard mode. Not really a point because his nature is to be really aggressive with the ball.

Obviously his problem is that he doesn't shoot very well so that makes him seem a little more suited for a pg right now. But if he ever gets a shot and the ability to finish/get fouls in the nba, I think he'll be a shooting guard.

It never hurts to have him be playmaker in frisco because that will be useful in the bigs as well.

DevinHarriswillstart · 01-03-2011, 03:28 PM

Hopefully this game will be a catalyst for giving Shawn the ball more. I know that seems obvious with Butler out, but this team has never really predicated itself on running plays through Marion.

fluid.forty.one · 01-03-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Hopefully this game will be a catalyst for giving Shawn the ball more. I know that seems obvious with Butler out, but this team has never really predicated itself on running plays through Marion.

I think the key (when Dirk comes back) is to focus on giving him the ball more when Dirk goes to the bench and Marion slides to the 4. He seems to be a lot more effective against PF defenders.

Kidd Karma · 01-03-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Hopefully this game will be a catalyst for giving Shawn the ball more. I know that seems obvious with Butler out, but this team has never really predicated itself on running plays through Marion.

Wasn't Shawn the third option behind Nash and Amare? How much better would he and we be if actual plays were run for him. Would be a good option to have, especially with his ability to finish above the rim.

mavs777 · 01-03-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

I think the key (when Dirk comes back) is to focus on giving him the ball more when Dirk goes to the bench and Marion slides to the 4. He seems to be a lot more effective against PF defenders.

according to 82games.com he is scoring more at the 4 but is much more efficient shooting at the 3

mavs777 · 01-03-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidd Karma

Wasn't Shawn the third option behind Nash and Amare? How much better would he and we be if actual plays were run for him. Would be a good option to have, especially with his ability to finish above the rim.

The problem is what kind of plays do we run? He isn't that effective on the block and most of his points come off fast break or instinctive cuts

mavs777 · 01-03-2011, 05:00 PM

The last 2 years before Shawn left he was 4rth on Suns in scoring (Barbossa also was ahead of him)

Kidd Karma · 01-03-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavs777

The problem is what kind of plays do we run? He isn't that effective on the block and most of his points come off fast break or instinctive cuts

Basically get him attacking the cup. Weakside picks, screens to free him up. Similar to what the Celtics do with Allen, except Marion would run through the paint.

tcat075 · 01-03-2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidd Karma

Wasn't Shawn the third option behind Nash and Amare? How much better would he and we be if actual plays were run for him. Would be a good option to have, especially with his ability to finish above the rim.

I do wish they'd run alley oops for him. I remember him running the Roddy Oop a few times, but they haven't done that for anyone this year. Don't know why they couldn't use someone else (as in Marion, because every other swing player I don't want finishing alley oops) to run that a few times this year. And obviously there are more plays than just the Roddy Oop.

When we first got him, that's what I expected more of with him and Kidd. Them just clicking, on the break but also on backdoor cuts and on defensive breakdowns, such as his man not getting back fast enough. There's been a few times this has happened, but not many.

The Atlanta game last year, when Kidd bumped Woodson when he was on the court...early on, Marion's play is exactly what I wish we'd see some more of. Here's video...most of the Marion stuff is early in the video, but you should watch it all...such a great game.