Assigning Grades for the Mavericks in their 98 – 89 win over the Suns
Fresh off a disappointing Christmas Day loss, the Dallas Mavericks squared off against the Phoenix Suns for the third time in as many months. The task would of course be made all the more difficult with the absence of Luka Doncic, who was injured on Christmas and is expected to miss multiple games. Joining Luka on the bench was Dereck Lively II, who also suffered an injury on the Christmas. Despite the challenges, the Mavericks clawed their way to a 98-89 win in Phoenix Friday night.
Without Lively, Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell saw more time bolstering the big-man rotation, seeing a combined 17 minutes of action in the first half alone. In the third, the rotation got much thinner than it already was, with Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington both being ejected in an altercation with Jusef Nurkic, who was also tossed. It’s great, and frankly necessary, to see guys like Marshall and Washington step up to defend teammates and bring a general toughness to the team, but given the circumstances it would have been best if they stopped short of getting booted (and Marshall likely being suspended next game as the solitary punch-thrower). The Suns went on a 6-0 run to cut the Mavs lead to 10 immediately following the ejections and despite a quick Mavericks’ response, ultimately trimmed the lead to 8 entering the fourth as the Mavs shot a horrendous percentage throughout the third.
Despite it all, the Mavs would not be denied in this one. They came out strong to start the fourth and maintained their lead to eventually put this one away. This was as gutsy a win as you can hope for under the circumstances and the Mavericks looked very good doing it. The team came into unfriendly confines with key starters missing, lost two more starters in an altercation, yet stayed the course with stellar defense (holding the Suns to their second-lowest scoring total of the season) and timely buckets to get a huge win against difficult circumstances.
For those who may doubt Coach Jason Kidd, he must be given credit for the culture of this team. Guys who have seen limited minutes for weeks saw meaningful time in this one, and to a man, they were fully prepared to make an impact. Let’s get to the grades!
Kyrie Irving: C
20 Points / 4 Rebounds / 5 Assists / 1 Steal / 0 Blocks / 5 Turnovers (40 Minutes)
If not for shooting 50% on 10 three-point attempts, this one would likely be one of Kyrie’s lesser performances over the season. The point total was decent/solid for him, but it came with major inefficiency despite a lot of floor time. He turnover total was admittedly not apparent to me while watching the game, but assuming the box score doesn’t lie, that total and his four fouls left a lot to be desired in this one. Still, he’s Kyrie, and just being on the floor draws defensive attention and opens things up for his teammates who took advantage of opportunities in this one.
Klay Thompson: B+
11 Points / 6 Rebounds / 5 Assists / 1 Steal / 1 Block / 1 Turnover (32 Minutes)
I can see the comments section questioning this grade already, but hear me out. Thompson disappeared for a bit in the second half, not by way of poor play but rather by sitting on the bench. He did however come out gunning in the fourth to open the quarter with a much needed three followed shortly thereafter by a deep two. This is the kind of threat he is, and those two shots were massive in staving off a Suns run that ended the third quarter. He also had a season high assists, six boards (many of which were of the strong, “I fought for this” variety), and team leading plus-17.
P.J. Washington: N/A
7 Points / 3 Rebounds / 2 Assists / 0 Steals / 0 Blocks / 4 Turnovers (20 Minutes)
Washington looked poised to have a big impact on this game before his night got cut short due to an ejection. He was 2-for-5 (2-for-4 from three) and playing great defense. One particularly standout defensive effort was when he rotated to cover Jusef Nurkic, absorbed a few shots to the chest, then spun around him for a strip and turnover. He also drew a nice offensive foul while being screened to force another turnover. While not stat-sheet steals, this is the type of intangible effort he brings every night. Oddly, he had four turnovers and three fouls in what turned out to be limited minutes.
Daniel Gafford: A-
16 Points / 5 Rebounds / 1 Assist / 1 Steal / 2 Blocks / 1 Turnover (29 Minutes)
I’m giving Gafford a slightly higher grade in this one in part due to his overall development and how it was on display tonight. He has clearly developed a better post game and low post ball handling. Although not single-handedly, he also took Jusef Nurkic (who had two good games against the Mavs already this season) completely out of this one. Two late fourth quarter dunks basically but an exclamation point on the game, and both were well earned by wisely getting himself in the correct spot in both situations to make really big timely plays to ensure victory.
Naji Marshall: N/A
4 Points / 3 Rebounds / 2 Assists / 0 Steals / 0 Blocks / 1 Turnover (19 Minutes)
Naji was on his way to a nice night, hitting 2-for-3 from the floor while doing his usual business, but he didn’t have a lengthy stay in this one due to being ejected after an altercation with Jusef Nurkic. If he were gradable in this one, he’d get a bump for stepping up and defending his teammate, bringing the toughness he was expected to bring when he joined the Mavs.
Spencer Dinwiddie: B+
15 Points / 3 Rebounds / 3 Assists / 1 Steal / 1 Block / 1 Turnover (23 Minutes)
In a horrific shooting third quarter for the team overall, Dinwiddie made two huge buckets — a three and a drive through uncalled contact — to prevent the once 18-point lead from getting lower than it already had. It wasn’t his best shooting night, especially from three (1-for-5), but he still managed to make the most of his minutes by doing generally smart things, limiting turnovers and hustling on defense. I personally believe he’s victimized by a somewhat unfair whistle — he just doesn’t get as many calls as the actual contact he receives would dictate in my opinion — but he plays on and demonstrates an important leadership quality that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Quentin Grimes: B
8 Points / 5 Rebounds / 1 Assist / 0 Steals / 0 Blocks / 2 Turnovers (29 Minutes)
I wanted to throw a “+” on Grimes’ grade largely because of intangibles, but the stand alone “B” itself may actually be a bit generous relative to the mundane box score and poor shooting (3-for-9). Watching the game, the intangibles included some solid hounding defense and a fearless moxie nailing a huge three in the fourth quarter to answer a Suns’ three on the prior possession. Overall not his best night, but kudos for consistently showing he’s a solid rebounding guard who is not afraid of a big shot, or of doing some dirty work.
Maxi Kleber: A+
15 Points / 7 Rebounds / 1 Assist / 1 Steal / 0 Blocks / 0 Turnovers (26 Minutes)
Maxi tied his season high in points (7) before the first half wrapped. Granted this may be more an indictment of his season thus far, but regardless, it’s a fantastic sign to see. A really whacky three during the game on Christmas day (a line drive that bounced oddly on the rim before dropping) may be what shook off his concerning funk, but whatever did it, it couldn’t have come at a better time. The first half was basically his best game of the season, with five rebounds, 3-for-4 shooting (1-for-1 on threes) and zero fouls to go with his seven points. Overall, this game was (by far) his best game of the season. He shot 5-for-7 including 1-for-2 on threes and 4-for-4 on free throws. I pondered his grade for a while, but ultimately landed him at top marks. I honestly don’t know if the Mavs win this one without him hitting a timely bucket or two, and coming up with two absolutely huge defensive stops in the late fourth quarter.
Dwight Powell: B
0 Points / 4 Rebounds / 3 Assists / 0 Steals / 1 Block / 0 Turnovers (15 Minutes)
Powell’s fourth quarter dive out of bounds to save a possession was vintage. While he didn’t fill up the box score, I can’t help but give him bonus points for his endless professionalism — not that we grade on that per se, but he epitomizes the “next man up” mantra the Mavs preach and he filled in with an all-too thin roster to put in competent work with great hustle and intelligent play.
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