Dallas avoided a second late game gut punch and got a win at home
After a tough loss to the Kings in their last game, the Dallas Mavericks bested the Jimmy Butler version of the Golden State Warriors, 111-107.
It was an impressive showing from a team still juggling their roster post-deadline, and, because of injuries, playing without any center to speak of. They were outrebounded by 11 and gave up 18 offensive boards, but still did enough to come away with a win.
40+: Minutes played AND points scored by Kyrie Irving
Irving has had some gems so far this season, but all too often it feels like they’ve come in losing efforts. Not tonight. His 42-point effort gave the Mavs just enough to hold off a fourth-quarter rally from Golden State and secure a narrow win at home.
The 32-year-old guard has been Dallas’ iron man this season, and especially since the deadline, Kyrie’s been putting in minutes. He’s averaging well over 40 minutes played per night since the deadline as Dallas tries to get healthy.
6: games in a row scoring 15 or more for Max Christie
Perhaps no player will have gone from unheard-of throw-in to fan favorite faster than Max Christie. His final game in a Laker jersey was the start of his current scoring streak, but the next five have all come as a Maverick, including tonight’s 17-point effort.
Christie got his first start tonight, likely a combination of settling into Dallas’ scheme and their need for warm bodies. Still, he hasn’t done anything to show that he’s not deserving of a spot in the starting lineup thus far. It would be hard to find a flaw in how the newly-22-year-old guard is playing.
33: Warriors second-chance points
As mentioned, Dallas is eagerly awaiting the return of, well, any center at this point. Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell are all sidelined, and the lack of size showed tonight. Despite historically bad shooting at the rim — like, worst in the NBA since 2013 — and a blood red shot chart, the Warriors punished Dallas on the boards, and thus in second-chance points. A revolving door of 6’7 wings is nice and all, but no one will complain about some size returning to the roster soon.
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