The Dallas Mavericks lost again at home in overtime, this time to the Golden State Warriors on Monday night, 137-131. Moses Moody led the Warriors with 23 points. Cooper Flagg scored a game high 32 points but also turned the ball over seven times.
Fans in the American Airlines Center were treated to a display of high-caliber offense from both teams in the opening period. Dallas came out attacking early, while Golden State looked dead on arrival. Following a quick timeout, the Warriors rattled off a run
that put them past the Mavericks, only for Cooper Flagg to lead the Mavericks to another run to take the lead. Both teams had flames coming off them from three-point range, with Dallas hitting eight of 10 in the frame and the Warriors hitting eight of 13 . That slight shooting advantage carried Golden State to a 34-31 lead after 12 minutes of action.
Dallas took firm control in the second quarter, despite both teams still shooting lights out from everywhere. Turnovers bit the Warriors. Their complicated offense might result in good looks, but it also results in lots of turnovers and Dallas took full advantage, building up a 15-point lead late in the period. Golden State chipped the lead down to six points only to embarass themselves in the final minute, allowing Dallas to chip in two more buckets and carry a 73-63 lead into the half.
A reversal of fortune occred for the Mavericks in the third quarter. After managing to keep the Warriors at bay for most of the period, the Warriors tranferred their turnover bug to Dallas midway through the third. After being up 89-78 with 5:30 to go in the period, Dallas gave up a 20-9 run to Golden State and the game was tied 98 all heading into the final quarter.
Cooper Flagg started the final frame in disasterous fashion: three turnovers in a row. Dallas gave up 11 points in quick succession and the Mavericks looked on the ropes with nearly 11 minutes of game to go. The two teams would exchange buckets throughout the frame. After Kristaps Porzingis scored a basket to make it 122-114 with four minutes left, Dallas head coach Jason Kidd called a timeout (perhaps to admonish Flagg for bypassing an open three). The next possession Flagg buried a three, the Warriors turned it over bringing it up the court, and Max Christie scored a lay up making it a three point game. A pair of Flagg free throws with 1:43 left would bring Dallas within two. Max Christie would tie it at 126 with an awesome three following Porzingis splitting a trip to the line. Neither team could capitalize so the game went to overtime.
The Warriors jumped out to a quick seven point lead in overtime and just like the overtime against the Clippers, Dallas seemed out of gas. The Mavericks, being the Mavericks we all know, of course didn’t die outright, and cut the lead enough to make the game exciting. Sadly, Moses Moody went down very late after a clean steal and looked to suffer a major knee injury.
Cooper’s got to shoot these open threes
This is a minor quibble, but it has to be said: Cooper’s got to take what the defense gives him a few more times per game. I get that Flagg probably didn’t regularly shoot threes in games until last season at Duke. If you followed his games, he didn’t shoot the ball well, then after the new year during his freshman season, all of a sudden he was outstanding from distance. The transition to NBA threes hasn’t been easy, but his shot looks good.
Defense are sagging off and he has to make them pay. He shot 2 of 4 tonight and passed up a few open looks by either moving the ball, dribbling into long twos, or driving when there wasn’t space.
It probably feels bizarre, being urged to take a shot at volume that hasn’t been part of your diet for your entire life. But he has to start. He will make them. I believe that.
Neither team could hold on to the ball or protect their own basket after turnovers
These two teams combined for 47 turnovers and 59 points conceded off of turnovers. It was exciting to watch but pretty sloppy and embarassing if you like cleaner basketball.
Hope Moses Moody is okay
I don’t remember seeing an injury that gruesome in open court before. The camera lingered on his knee for too long and I don’t suggest seeking that out. Here’s to hoping he’s okay.
