The Mavericks were 2-3 this past week and dropped to 13th place in the West. They lost by double-digits thrice, to Atlanta (124-112), Cleveland (138-105), and New Orleans (129-111), and beat Memphis (120-112) and Cleveland (130-120). Cooper Flagg led the team in scoring with 20 points per game.
Grade: B
The Mavericks got clobbered in Dallas by the Cavaliers, but the other four games were valiant showings. They won two of them, including a huge bounce-back in Cleveland, and lost two in the late stages. With
the loss to New Orleans, the Mavericks now own a share of the sixth-best odds for the number one pick (8.3 percent) and a 34.8 percent chance for a top-four selection. They are absolutely still trying, as much as a 23-win team can try, and the players have found ways to still get up for games as they did in Cleveland.
Daniel Gafford has looked great in the limited action that he has had. Despite playing just 52 minutes in two games, he tallied 36 points and 24 rebounds. Naji Marshall continues to defy modern basketball and had a near triple-double in New Orleans with 32 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Max Christie found his shot again and made almost 45 percent of the threes he took.
After playing eight-of-nine on the road, the Mavericks play three home games next week against the Hawks, Clippers, and Warriors.
Straight A’s: P.J. Washington
It only took three-or-so months, but Washington is playing good basketball like he was to begin the year. He has shot above 50 percent in two consecutive games for the first time since February 24, and just the second time since December 27. He made seven of his 12 threes in those games and was a big reason they beat the Cavaliers and got out to a hot start against the Pelicans. The better he plays, the better it is for Dallas going into the offseason. They need some confidence that he can be a piece if they decide to keep him, or evidence that he’s still a valuable asset if they decide a trade is necessary.
Currently Failing: The Unction
Tired legs win out this time of year, and that is certainly the case with the older players on the Mavericks. Klay Thompson played in just two of the five games this past week due to rest, and Khris Middleton shot 33 percent on his shots inside the arc. When Thompson last played, he shot 0-of-5 on threes in 16 minutes. Let’s hope the Mavericks have enough oxygen to get these two safely to April.
Extra Credit: Ethically Tanking
One of the main points of contention in NBA circles, and one that Adam Silver claims will be addressed this offseason, is tanking. What the Jazz have done this year, like resting starters for entire fourth quarters of close games, is egregious. Not new, but particularly egregious. And with Dallas only owning their pick this season before they lose control through 2030, there has been a running dialogue in Mavericks chats and forums about how they should be doing even more to lose. I vehemently disagree.
What the Jazz, and other teams through the years, have done damages culture. Telling key players they cannot finish winnable games in hopes the team gets a better chance to draft their replacement doesn’t leave a good feeling throughout the organization. It is grimy and underhanded, and, like we saw not even a year ago, there is karma involved in these things.
Much more important than losing a few games for a percentage point is learning how to win and committing to a winning culture. The Mavericks already have their franchise cornerstone. If all of these guys were not a part of the future, then maybe I would have a different opinion. But Cooper Flagg will be here. Max Christie will be here. Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington will likely be here. The Mavericks are 4-16 in their last 20 games; they don’t need to do any more losing. The few and far between wins are what are keeping these guys from caving to any sort of losing habits. Winning is fun, and that is how it should be. If guys are healthy, they should play and play to win. If they do their part, the chips will fall exactly where they need to be.
