Mavs Game Observations: Game 43 @ Hornets

One step forward, three steps back

Photo by David Jensen / Getty Images

The inconsistency is becoming maddening.

After the surprising win over OKC, I wrote that the Mavericks reminded everyone they’re still a good team. But then they went and spoiled it by losing 110-105 to the lowly Hornets. It’s yet another squandered opportunity, as they let another winnable game slip away—even with the lengthy absence list.

If the unusual early 11 AM CT tip-off could excuse the Mavericks’ poor start, there’s no excuse for how the game ended. They squandered a career night from Daniel Gafford with yet another clutch breakdown.

Now a much tougher road lies ahead. The Mavericks face Minnesota and OKC on back-to-back nights Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a Finals rematch against Boston on Saturday. It wouldn’t be surprising if this team won one or even a couple of these games—they’ve shown they can surprise anyone on a good night. That’s what inconsistent teams do.

But for a team that openly declared a championship as their only goal this season, showing up on days like yesterday is where you prove how serious you are about that ambition.

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Today’s notes:

1. Clutch breakdown stands out, but too many bad spells before that

2. Intriguing shift towards length and size

3. No flow, no 'third guy', no shots for Klay

4. Worse three-point shooting, but also worse process

5. Another Daniel Gafford career night

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1-Clutch breakdown stands out, but too many bad spells before that

After Kyrie Irving went on another one of his signature scoring sprees—dropping 13 points in just four minutes—the Mavericks seemed to be in full control, holding a 100-94 lead with a little over six minutes left. What followed, however, was a breakdown of major proportions. Sloppy passes, reckless turnovers, and forced shots resulted in just terrible offense. Dallas committed three turnovers, shot just 2-of-13 from the field, and managed only five points in the final six minutes, allowing the Hornets to steal the game.

But the closing moments weren’t the only sloppy part of the game. Dallas also ended the second and third quarters on a bad note. Combine that with poor starts to both halves—especially the opening minutes, which looked like a pickup game with the Mavericks simply chucking up threes—and it adds up to a game that was difficult to win. This was despite some good stretches of play, or in Daniel Gafford’s case, even dominant periods in between.

2-Intriguing shift towards length and size

With Quentin Grimes a late scratch, the Mavericks were left with just two guards from their main rotation: Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie. Before the game, I speculated whether the Mavericks might shift toward more length and size instead of relying on third-string guards Brandon Williams and Jazian Gortman. And that’s exactly what happened, with Olivier Maxence-Prosper and Kessler Edwards seeing extended minutes.

The offense took an immediate hit, as neither of them—nor Maxi Kleber—was respected at the three-point line (they combined to shoot 0-of-5 from three), allowing the Hornets to help heavily off them. Despite this and the Hornets’ hot shooting, the Mavericks’ defense was solid enough for most of the game to win, holding the Hornets to just 22-of-54 (41 percent) in the paint.

I should clarify that it was the half-court defense that was good enough, as the Mavericks undid much of their good work with costly turnovers and poor transition defense. The Hornets held a 20-12 edge in fast-break points, with most of their best looks coming in transition or early offense.

3 - No flow, no 'third guy', no shots for Klay

In my midseason check, I noted that despite the expanded opportunities created by Dončić's injury, no consistent third option or clear contributor has emerged. Last night, all the options the Mavericks count on for secondary scoring or playmaking had bad games.

P.J. Washington had one of his worst defensive performances of the season, coupled with a rough night on offense, highlighted by wild drives, missed shots, and three turnovers. Washington embodies the Mavericks' recent up-and-down play, that earned him the nickname "Mr. Inconsistent" from some of my colleagues in Charlotte. Spencer Dinwiddie and Naji Marshall fit that same mold—praised for their clutch play and decision-making one night, only to follow it up with poor shooting and costly turnovers the next.

Then there’s Klay Thompson, whose recent play is the most concerning. Brought in to be that the scoring option, he has failed to score in double digits in four of the last six games. In my 30-game check, I expressed concern that setting the table for Klay might be an issue without Dončić, and unfortunately, that has proven to be the case. Last night, Klay had only five field goal attempts in 30 minutes, including just two three-point attempts—one of which was the missed potential game-tying shot with six seconds left. That’s an unacceptable number for a player who averages nine three-point attempts per game for his career and nearly eight this season.

Jason Kidd, Irving, Dinwiddie, and the rest will need to figure out how to create better looks for Thompson. Last night, no Maverick recorded more than four assists, which speaks volumes about the lack of flow in the offense.

4-Worse three-point shooting, but also worse process