Assigning grades for the Mavericks in their 111-103 win over the Pelicans
The Dallas Mavericks took on the New Orleans Pelicans for the fourth and final time this season, looking to win the season series three games to one. Fortunately, they did just that, continuing their winning ways with a 111-103 win.
Last time these teams squared off, the Mavs welcomed back Naji Marshall from illness. Maybe there’s a touch of health luck to playing the Pels, as tonight saw the return of P.J. Washington. Getting a defensive cog and starter back (heck, getting anyone back) felt like a huge relief for a team that has endured more than their fair share of players sitting out. The Mavs also welcomed new 10-day signee Moses Brown to the first game of his second stint with Dallas. Better still, Brown immediately saw floor-time late in the first quarter, giving the Mavs some desperately needed size.
The game wasn’t especially pretty, with enough poor shooting overall to drag the team’s percentage down to 43%, but the grit and effort were there and proved to be enough to get the win. The Pelicans may not be the fiercest competition, but this was a well-earned W by a depleted Mavs squad that can’t leave games like this on the table. Let’s get to the grades!
Kyrie Irving: A+
35 Points / 2 Rebounds / 4 Assists / 0 Steals / 1 Block (37 Minutes)
Irving proves to be effective even when his shot isn’t falling, and boy was his shot not falling in the early going. This was one of those quirky games where many of those shots looked like a sure thing but just wouldn’t go down. He didn’t just settle for jumpers, instead opting to take the smart shot while often getting to the free throw line, suddenly turning it around, finishing 11-for-22 from the floor (5-for-12 on threes) and 8-for-8 on free throws. This was his third straight 30-point game and he did his damage in under 40 minutes. Watching him work himself back to a highly efficient night after a tough start was really enjoyable. The dagger three he drilled off a Naji Marshall pass with just over a minute left in the game was the cherry on top of a great performance.
Dante Exum: C-
4 Points / 2 Rebounds / 4 Assists / 1 Steal / 1 Block (20 Minutes)
Similar to Spencer Dinwiddie, Exum didn’t bring much on the night. His shot wasn’t falling, though he did facilitate a good bit in his somewhat limited minutes.
Klay Thompson: B
12 Points / 3 Rebounds / 3 Assists / 2 Steals / 0 Blocks (25 Minutes)
Thompson wasn’t blazing hot, but he hit some big threes (4-for-7) in key moments. He again shot worse inside the arc than outside, and if he can get that kink worked out, he is going to have more efficient nights that will help this team. Solid game coming out of a long All-Star break layoff.
P.J. Washington: A-
24 Points / 7 Rebounds / 3 Assists / 2 Steals / 1 Block (37 Minutes)
Washington was in total beast-mode from the opening tip. At one point he had 20 points in just a shade over 19 minutes played. He cooled off quite a bit as the game went on, but this game could have easily been a playing-from-behind scenario had it not been for Washington. Every time he misses games, we are quickly reminded of just how important he is to this team.
Kessler Edwards: B
2 Points / 4 Rebounds / 1 Assist / 0 Steals / 0 Blocks (12 Minutes)
Edwards was solid, but I still get caught up wanting more offense out of the starting center (even if he isn’t really a center to begin with). Edwards basically split his time with Moses Brown and combined they had a solid game in limited collective minutes. Nothing really jumped out, good or bad, but it was a solid effort against a team that often deliberately went big.
Spencer Dinwiddie: C-
0 Points / 4 Rebounds / 7 Assists / 0 Steals / 0 Blocks (25 Minutes)
Dinwiddie’s passing saved his grade from the basement, but not by much. This was a BAD shooting night, with a sprinkle of bad shot selection to boot.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper: B
1 Point / 7 Rebounds / 1 Assist / 1 Steal / 0 Blocks (15 Minutes)
O-Max didn’t necessarily have an eye-popping box score, but his energy and activity were big factors in the game. He also played a bit of the Dereck Lively role, receiving passes at the free throw line to help initiate things. The rebound total gives him a grade bump, because the relatively undersized squad needed all the help they could get on the boards.
Naji Marshall: A+
15 Points / 10 Rebounds / 1 Assist / 0 Steals / 0 Blocks (24 Minutes)
Marshall was a huge difference maker in this win, especially in the waning moments. He hit a huge three with just over two minutes remaining, as an immediate answer to a Pelicans’ three. He had a great steal moments later, then shortly after that drove and kicked to Kyrie for a three that sealed the deal. This was a great double-double in an all-around effort where the outcome could have been different if not for his contributions.
Max Christie: A
16 Points / 4 Rebounds / 2 Assists / 1 Steal / 0 Blocks (32 Minutes)
Christie didn’t get the start, but it didn’t seem to faze him at all. Like Washington, he was scoring almost a point-per-minute at one time and couldn’t seem to miss, hitting his first five shots (including 2-for-2 on threes). He ended up hitting 6-for-7 from the floor with a single missed three, but continues to show poise and execution and his 15-plus points-per-game streak lives on.
Moses Brown: B
2 Points / 4 Rebounds / 2 Assists / 1 Steal / 1 Block (12 Minutes)
Going in, I wasn’t sure Brown would play much less get a grade, but he checked into the game late in the first quarter and started the second. He contested shots and logged a nice block (though a coach’s challenge was needed to confirm it) against Zion Williamson. Combined with Kessler Edwards, Brown contributed to a decent Center rotation against a team that played big at times.
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