Dallas Mavericks edge past LA Clippers in thrilling 110-104 victory: 3 key insights from the win
In a riveting turn of events, the Dallas Mavericks snagged a win against the LA Clippers during Kyrie Irving's debut with the team. On Wednesday evening, the Mavericks triumphed with a score of 110-104, showcasing a stellar performance despite Luka Doncic's absence.
The Mavericks kicked off the game on a hot streak, sinking nine out of thirteen three-point shots in the first quarter, amassing a whopping 41 points in the opening 12 minutes. However, the Clippers managed to tighten their defense, forcing the Mavericks to cough up the ball eight times in the second quarter. Despite building a 19-point lead, Dallas only held an eight-point advantage going into halftime.
In the second half, the Clippers consistently chipped away at the Mavericks' lead, but Dallas consistently responded with timely baskets to maintain their advantage. Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock, and Theo Pinson all drained key shots, keeping the Mavericks ahead. However, the team continued to turnover the ball (seven more in the third quarter), allowing the Clippers to stay in contention. The Mavericks managed to hit enough shots in the fourth quarter to secure the win, as the Clippers offense faltered.
Three Observations from the Game:
Kyrie Irving Fits Seamlessly in the Lineup
Irving put up 24 points and had five assists, showcasing a smooth fit on the court. The Mavs are already set up to accommodate a star player scoring off isolations, and Irving seamlessly filled in for the injured Luka Doncic. However, Irvy appeared cautious at times, search for his role within the Dallas offense. He could've scored more but instead opted for the smart play. Head coach Jason Kidd was careful with Irving's minutes, as well. There will be an adjustment period when Doncic returns, so it'll likely be a few games before we see Irving really shine against opponents.
Reggie Bullock Steps Up, but Slumps Later
Bullock started off red-hot, sinking his first five three-point attempts. It seemed like he was in for a night reminiscent of Tim Hardaway Jr.'s 28-point performances. However, it wasn't to be. Bullock finished 1-of-7 on three-pointers for the remainder of the game, finishing with 18 points on 6-of-12 from deep. With the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith, Bullock needs to step up and become a consistent three-point threat and border defender. He can't struggle from three-point range like he did earlier in the season. Early in the game, it seemed like he was ready to replace Finney-Smith and more. But it's nice to see his shot is dropping at an acceptable rate.
The Mavericks Need to Find a Balance Between Running and Turnovers
I've often argued that the Mavericks should pick up the pace more, not a little. Irving pushes the ball harder than Doncic, who prefers a slow-and-steady approach. If the Mavericks running more comes at the expense of turning the ball over like tonight, however, maybe they should just keep their speed slow. The Mavericks torched the Clippers from deep (49 percent on threes), but the turnovers kept LA in the game. There's probably a middle ground between the careless running and the painfully slow Mavericks pace the team will find in the next few months.
During the match, Reggie Bullock showed promise with five successful three-point shots in the initial quarter, but his shooting accuracy dropped significantly afterward, finishing the game 6-of-12 from beyond the arc.
The Mavericks, with Kyrie Irving joining the team, displayed a marked improvement in their three-point shooting, sinking nine out of thirteen attempts in the first quarter alone. However, their tendency to turnover the ball, particularly in the second and third quarters, vitalized the Clippers' chances of victory.
