Progress undone—same old turnover issues keep coming back in a big way

Mavs Game Observations: Game 49 @ Pistons

Photo by Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

This Mavericks season is falling into a frustratingly familiar script—and it’s not just about injuries. Every time the team seems to make progress, every time things start to stabilize with a couple of good performances, a letdown follows.

My loyal readers know I rarely deviate from the standard game observations format, only doing so after bigger disappointments that reveal deeper issues. I did it early in the season after the deflating loss in Utah, when Dallas hit its first real low point—one that eventually fueled a turnaround. I did it again after the loss in Denver, when Jamal Murray’s 45-point explosion was yet another example of the Mavericks’ long-standing struggle to contain ballhandlers at the point of attack.

And I’m doing it today. This was a prime opportunity for the Mavericks to build momentum, to finally string together three straight wins against a beatable opponent. Instead, another troubling season-long pattern reared its head—playing out of control and being too reckless with the ball, costing them a game they should have handled.

What makes this loss even more frustrating is that you could literally see it coming. Just two weeks ago, the Mavericks lost to the Pelicans by getting themselves into a wild, up-and-down, run-and-gun shootout. Three days ago, they played with fire again—nearly suffering the same fate against the same opponent, following the same script.

That’s why, in my preview, I wrote that the number one priority against a young, athletic Pistons team—one that struggles in the half-court but thrives in transition—was to play under control and avoid another track meet. And yet, once again, they didn’t.

Mavericks turnover rate per game (source: Cleaning the Glass)

Halftime focus says one thing, veterans do another

The Mavericks actually started the game well, building a 17-7 lead. They involved Daniel Gafford and attacked Jalen Duren in pick-and-roll—another point emphasized in the preview. Klay Thompson made shots. Kyrie Irving applied early pressure on Cade Cunningham, forcing two turnovers.

Then they undone it all by playing too fast and too reckless with the ball again, committing eight first-half turnovers and allowing the Pistons to turn a ten-point deficit into a four-point halftime lead.

That’s why it was no surprise when the halftime sideline report highlighted two main priorities for the second half:
a) Slow things down and eliminate the quick, erratic decisions.
b) Apply more pressure and physicality against Cade Cunningham.

What was surprising was how completely the Mavericks disregarded the halftime adjustments. Here’s a short, less-than-three-minute stretch to open the third quarter:

• Klay Thompson throws a wild pass to Spencer Dinwiddie in transition, resulting in a turnover and a Tim Hardaway Jr. layup on the other end. Jason Kidd calls an early timeout.

• Thompson takes (and makes) a quick three-pointer in a 1-on-3 transition situation.

• Thompson takes (and misses) another quick, contested three with 20 seconds left on the shot clock, leading to a Cunningham drive and layup in transition.

• Dinwiddie, immediately after Cunningham’s basket, forces a drive against four Pistons and commits a turnover.

What's even more astonishing is that the main culprits in this chaotic stretch were 34-year-old Thompson and 31-year-old Dinwiddie, with another veteran, 32-year-old Irving, also on the floor.

The Mavericks, led by their veterans, committed 10 more turnovers than a young Pistons team featuring 23-year-old Cade Cunningham, 24-year-old Marcus Sasser at point guard, and a young core of 22-year-old Ausar Thompson, 21-year-old Jalen Duren, and 19-year-old Ron Holland Jr. playing significant roles.

Growing pains: more freedom, more pace, more turnovers