GDT: game 18 (17?) - Nuggies (9-7) at Mavs (8-8) 7:30pm FSSW/LP

[EricaLubarsky]

Mavs still have four guys out for Covid.

Don’t know why I keep posting GDTs. Y’all just gon whine about Rick and can continue in old GDTs

Hey at least KP is back

[dirt_dobber]

3 things to watch as the Mavericks host the Nuggets

The Mavericks look to bounce back after a tough loss.

By Ben Zajdel Jan 25, 2021, 12:00am CST
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/1...w-time-channel

The Mavericks, fresh off an uninspiring loss to the Rockets, take on the Nuggets at the AAC on Monday. Needless to say, Dallas will have to play with a lot more energy if they expect to defeat a surging Denver team that’s won three in a row. The last time the two teams faced off in early January, the Mavericks won a thriller in overtime, finally shedding their clutch-time woes.

A lot has changed since then. The Mavericks are still missing four of the key players from that victory, and while they’ve been able to tread water in their absence, cracks are starting to show. Dallas gave up 70 points in the first half and got outrebounded by 16 boards against Houston. The shallow depth chart and grueling schedule are taking their toll, but that’s how this season will go.

Here are three things to watch for against the Nuggets:

Protecting the Paint
The Mavericks have made a concerted effort protect the rim this season, and that’s been made really tough lately due to missing two front court rotation players, Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber. Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap will make it even tougher. The Nuggets are currently fifth in the league in points in the paint. Powell wasn’t exactly on track to make the all-defensive team, but he’s a big body that plays with energy, something the Mavericks desperately need right now. Missing Kleber will be the real problem, here, as he shut down Millsap in the Mavericks first meeting, guarding the Nuggets power forward for 21 possessions and holding him to 0-2 shooting.

But there’s hope, as the Mavericks will have Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis missed the first game against the Nuggets, and while he’s struggled against Jokic in the past, his presence in the paint will at least deter drives from Jamal Murray and other Denver wings. Willie Cauley-Stein will spend most of the game on Jokic, though. He did just fine in the first game against the Nuggets, as Jokic only shot 35% when guarded by Cauley-Stein. Maybe Porzingis or Cauley-Stein will approach this game with an intense focus, and the Mavericks end up with a block party reminiscent of the show Dirk Nowitzki put on against the Nuggets in 2006.

Defensive Depth
In the early January game against the Nuggets, the Mavericks struggled early on offense, but their defense kept them in the game until their scoring got back on track. Two of their best perimeter defenders, Josh Richardson and Dorian Finney-Smith, will miss this game. Will the Dallas defense be able to frustrate Denver again? If not, the efficient Nuggets offense might put the game out of reach early. Denver is currently third in net offense. Jokic’s production is almost a given. If Murray gets hot as well, the Mavericks will almost certainly lose. Someone will have to step up and replace the capable defense of Richardson.

Second-Chance Points
The Nuggets are second in the league in second-chance points, trailing only the Lakers. Giving up offensive rebounds and allowing too many second-chance points has been a problem for the Mavericks for some time. They don’t have to win the rebounding battle, but they can’t get absolutely annihilated on the boards. If the Mavericks can just limit the Nuggets’ offensive rebounds to a minimum, it’ll negate one of Denver’s biggest scoring advantages.

How to Watch
Tip-off is at 7:30 CST at the American Airlines Center. You can watch locally on Fox Sports Southwest or NBA League Pass elsewhere.

[Grady Wilson]

I appreciate the GDT. Some people are going to bitch just to bitch. There are a couple of posters on here that I honestly think they're going to be pessimistic regardless. Well, that is until the Mavs go on a winning streak and then they'll be the biggest fans around. lol Just have to ignore their rants because they won't change. I'll just be glad when everyone's back. I still don't get the whole protocol, but oh well. It is what it is...

[SMC0007]

Bitching about effort is never going away. Coaching rotations/adjustments probably won't either. Some of it is obviously overboard, but good luck on a fan forum expecting people to be mostly optimistic when they have been following a team with 10-20 years investment.

That said, I appreciate you jumping on the GDT grenades. Most times previously, people take turns and that hasn't happened this season.

[VA-Mavs-Fan]

Its probably not gonna happen - but i would be in favor of giving some minutes to Tyler Bey - He looks very talented. I thought he did a better job of covering some of the guys inside that Boban did (Bey is mobile, and very long, and can jump). We need to try to develop him. I also thought Hinton seems to have a bit of an offensive game, more than Green anyway, and is scrappy on defense/rebounding. I like Green - but maybe Hinton and Bey should get some minutes. just sayin

[Grady Wilson]

It's going to be a tough game tonight. Denver seems to be slowly putting things together. Having KP back will help, but THJ is will have to show up tonight. Based on his usual inconsistency, this will probably be a game where he puts up some decent points.

[dirt_dobber]

Only players with at least 400 points, 140 rebs and 140 asts this season
would be tonight’s matchup... Doncic and Jokic
In the last meeting they each scored 38 and had a double-double.
And this is a battle of the Top 2 assists leaders tonight.

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Bitching about effort is never going away. Coaching rotations/adjustments probably won't either. Some of it is obviously overboard, but good luck on a fan forum expecting people to be mostly optimistic when they have been following a team with 10-20 years investment.

That said, I appreciate you jumping on the GDT grenades. Most times previously, people take turns and that hasn't happened this season.

Ha Ha that would be when it comes to lack of defense or Midget ball.

I can tolerate just about anything except poor defense and small ball lineups that contribute to poor defense.

Those two things infuriate me watching games. But it's probably because I'm old school and prefer the defenses or at least the defensive efforts of years past.

Having said I think this is a good game to start WCS again vs Jokic and just slide KP out to Milsap. Either that or you have to get Iwundo on the floor as much as possible just for the sole purpose of defending Murray.

If they put THJ or Brunson on Murray it's going to be a layup festival all game because the Mavs big's will have to stay glued to Milsap and Jokic because they can both knock down shots if left alone outside.

Richardson was key in game in that 1st game because he was able to keep Murray out the paint and that allowed WCS to stay home on Jokic.

[Dallas41]

Also, I'm interesting in seeing if THJ snaps his two game streak of recording 0 assist

[Melonhead]

Not much left to say...not expecting a win, and I think the team is stretched too thin doing the best they can.

It was fine for a few games, but were rounding 3 weeks and it sucks.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

Also, I'm interesting in seeing if THJ snaps his two game streak of recording 0 assist

That would require a lot of passing...passing to teammates and passing up shots.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

Also, I'm interesting in seeing if THJ snaps his two game streak of recording 0 assist

Such a beating...

[sefant77]

Oh look Dallas41 is going to ruin another GDT

[EricaLubarsky]

KP and WCS starting

Rick refuses to go big

Lalala

[Dallas41]

Interesting JB as a future SG instead of PG

GOOD: Jalen Brunson, shooting guard
A bright spot in the midst of roster turmoil has been the play of Jalen Brunson as a starter. In his five starts he’s averaging 17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists while shooting 50-percent from three. One of those games was without Luka Doncic, but there’s no doubt the chemistry between those two is strong. And more than that, playing alongside Doncic means Brunson doesn’t have to worry about running an offense or playing off the dribble.

It confirms what many have said, that Brunson really might be a shooting guard in a point guards body. As a starter his usage is down (and honestly so is his defense), but everything else is up including assists. He’s likely not meant to be a long term starter, but hopefully Carlisle will continue to find ways to play Brunson off the ball next to Luka.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

KP needs to learn patience.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

KP and WCS starting

Rick refuses to go big

Lalala

Ok. Isn't this gaslighting just a creative way of complaining? LOL. Rick deserves credit for this, but he has had months of WTF lineups. Never forget Wesley the tank commander Mathews.

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Ok. Isn't this gaslighting just a creative way of complaining? LOL. Rick deserves credit for this, but he has had months of WTF lineups. Never forget Wesley the tank commander Mathews.

I think KP and WCS have been terrific together on defense

But the offense seems to be where the issue holds the Mavs back.

They want to use KP at the 5 to help out the offense but the problem is the defense goes to crap when they go smaller.

That's why i can't wait til they get Kleber back which gives RC much more flexibility to play big up front with KP, Kleber, WCS and Johnson.

Tonight is a good example of what the size does defensively for the Mavs in the paint KP and Willie have done solid early on.

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

I think KP and WCS have been terrific together on defense

But the offense seems to be where the issue holds the Mavs back.

They want to use KP at the 5 to help out the offense but the problem is the defense goes to crap when they go smaller.

That's why i can't wait til they Kleber back which gives RC much more flexibility to play big up front with KP, Kleber, WCS and Johnson.

Tonight is a good example of what the size does defensively for the Mavs in the paint KP and Willie have done solid early on.

Unfortunately it looks like Maxi is going to be the last one back.

[Dallas41]

Don' like seeing Murray going off this early.

Rick might want to give Iwundu a test drive

[FreshJive]

Jrich, Powell, and dfs are at the game in street clothes, so they must just need to get in shape to play.

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Oh look Dallas41 is going to ruin another GDT

would you prefer that I praise THJ even doing continued moments like this that he plays?

[turin]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

KP and WCS starting

Rick refuses to go big

Lalala

I'll happily eat crow all day long if that'll mean RC keeps playing bigger lineups, but after years of him stubbornly going small ball, you might want to hold the mocking until he at least has a few dozen legit games going big with a full roster. ;-)

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[Dallas41]

I really like Wes

The one thing he does is plays hard every night and even though he might not be a 3-pt shooter he does other things that make an impact.

He moves the ball, drives, dives on the floor and just gets after it defensively.

I can respect a guy who plays with effort tonight no matter what

[Melonhead]

Some ugly ugly threes to finish the half.

All things considered, down 12 isnt bad. I dont expect a win, but keeping it competitive down our main defenders is a positive.

[Dallas41]

b2b games 70 points allowed by the half.

Murray is cooking you know who and that last 3 by him was just a weak attempt to close out as usual but he still gets minutes regardless if he shoots 1-10 doing the game.

Defense is simply about effort, Wes Iwundu does it every single night.

[FreshJive]

So when Jrich comes back before dfs, does he start at the three, and thj goes to the bench instead of Brunson?

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Some ugly ugly threes to finish the half.

All things considered, down 12 isnt bad. I dont expect a win, but keeping it competitive down our main defenders is a positive.

I'd be shocked if it happens but with KP, Luka and Brunson on the floor for offense Rick should seriously consider playing Wes just for the sole purpose to defend Murray to start the 2nd half.

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by FreshJive

So when Jrich comes back before dfs, does he start at the three, and thj goes to the bench instead of Brunson?

I like KP, Kleber, DFS, Jrich and Luka

DFS is a natural SF not PF and with Richardson they both provide much better perimeter defense.

I'm taking bigger wings who play defense over smaller guy who just shoot all day every day.

DFS and Jrich are both solid enough to surround Luka and KP with decent shooting and you can get stops with them both plus Kleber.

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

I like KP, Kleber, DFS, Jrich and Luka

DFS is a natural SF not PF and with Richardson they both provide much better perimeter defense.

I'm taking bigger wings who play defense over smaller guy who just shoot all day every day.

DFS and Jrich are both solid enough to surround Luka and KP with decent shooting and you can get stops with them both plus Kleber.

Yeah, but it looks like Jrich is going to be back before dfs, so do they start Brunson or Hardaway? Brunson is playing better right now, and thj seemed to play well off the bench.

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by FreshJive

Yeah, but it looks like Jrich is going to be back before dfs, so do they start Brunson or Hardaway? Brunson is playing better right now, and thj seemed to play well of the bench.

That's an easy solution

Put THJ back on the bench so he get back to playing that 6th man role more often.

If he's hot he stays in if he's cold he sits that what 6th men do LOL

[Dallas41]

wow that was great defense by WCS

[EricaLubarsky]

our ability to get back in games is impressive.

I just look forward to getting a consistent lineup so we can actually get leads instead of fighting back from double digits every game.

[turin]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

I really like Wes

The one thing he does is plays hard every night and even though he might not be a 3-pt shooter he does other things that make an impact.

He moves the ball, drives, dives on the floor and just gets after it defensively.

I can respect a guy who plays with effort tonight no matter what

Wes was a good guy, but few things were funnier to me than when he put the ball on the floor and dribbled. heh. So many WTF? moments. LOL

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[Dallas41]

two bad shots back to back ruined that terrific defensive stretch. Got down 4 points didn't need that bad 3 point shot

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by turin

Wes was a good guy, but few things were funnier to me than when he put the ball on the floor and dribbled. heh. So many WTF? moments. LOL

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not that Wes LOL

I'm talking about Wes Inwundu

[EricaLubarsky]

Hit in the Hardaway Jr Jrs

[turin]

At this point, I'd trade THJ for a guy with a solid mid-range who can play defense, handle the ball and pass even if he wasn't much of a 3 pt shooter.

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[Dallas41]

that kind of looked dirty

[turin]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

not that Wes LOL



I'm talking about Wes Inwundu

LOL. That makes sense. At first, I was like WTH? heh

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