The Dallas Mavericks opened preseason with a statement, throttling the Oklahoma City Thunder, 106-89. Max Christie was the high scorer for a Dallas team that had just four players in double figures. Brooks Barnhizer, a player who looks exactly how you’d expect, led the Thunder in scoring with 16.
The Mavericks came out fast and furious early, looking to impose their sheer size against a Thunder team resting many of their best players. Despite some ugly offense early in the contest, Dallas wore Oklahoma
City down as the first quarter wore on. The D’Angelo Russell-Anthony Davis connection was obvious early as the two connected for a Davis dunk and a Davis three. The trickle of Thunder fouls resulted in a late period march to the line for Dallas (11-11 from the line in the period) and the Mavericks found themselves up 29-20 after one.
Rookie Cooper Flagg found his shot in the second quarter, entering the game around the 7:30 mark. He proceeded to score with ease, driving the ball coast to coast, hitting two threes, and sinking a pair of free throws. The Mavericks kept pressing their size advantage, attacking the Thunder and stacked seven more free throws in the frame. Dallas pushed the lead all the way up to 32, which they carried with them into the half, up 66-40.
The second half was played largely by the back half of the bench and training camp invitees. Early PJ Washington minutes and points paced the Mavericks, but after he exited the game, Jaden Hardy was the only Maverick player on the court who might see minutes this season. The offense got a little choppy down the stretch but the Mavericks carried a 82-66 lead into the final frame.
The Thunder bench just kept coming. Despite Dallas leading by 15 with 7:30 to go, Oklahoma City slowly and confidently ground the Dallas lead down to six points with under four to go. A Ryan Nembhard bucket gave Dallas some breathing room with 3:30 to go, but the Dallas offense looked packed up for the evening already. However, after an OKC timeout, the Thunder offense went cold and Dallas put the Thunder away with a purpose, winning 106-89.
The Mavericks are large
You’ll forgive the obvious, but that’s what stood out in the first half of this game with Dallas bludgeoning the Thunder and drawing many, many fouls. But if you want their size in action, cue the very first play of the game.
This is the sort of play you dream of when putting together a team this huge. Of course, Kidd has many line ups to work through, but any line up with bigs who can also put the ball on the floor has to make the coaching staff very, very happy.
Knocking down their free throws
Maybe it’s just a one-night thing, but for this night, the Mavericks connected on most of their freebies. Dallas was 24th in the NBA last season in terms of free throw percentage. Call it an preseason wish but here’s to hoping shooting coach Mike Pembernathy has worked some magic with these Mavericks.
The road to playing time for Max Christie is right there
A crisp and productive 15 minutes for Cormac resulted in 12 points (6 of 6 from the line!), three assists, a pair of boards, and a team high +18. Dallas needs someone else who can put the ball on the floor some and while he doesn’t need to be a point guard, someone else who can reliably attack off the dribble and make the right play would be welcome to this talented line up.
One more thing
These games are hard to write about. Limited action, zero stakes, and guys who likely won’t make the roster. Moussa Sisse and Jeramiah Robinson-Earl deserve mention, but I just couldn’t find a reasonable place.
