RSS Mavericks Team Notes

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks vs. Heat preview: 3 things Dallas needs to get a third win in a row

Have the Dallas Mavericks (7-15) leveled up since the team’s last meeting with the Miami Heat (14-7) — or were the last two games merely blips on the radar?

The injury-riddled, try-hard Mavericks pushed a Heat team without the services of Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic and Norman Powell, and with Tyler Herro playing in his first game of the season following ankle surgery in September, to the brink last week but eventually fell 106-102 at the Kaseya Center. So what can this version of the Mavs, with a suddenly emergent rookie point guard in Ryan Nembhard and Cooper Flagg in full bloom, do differently this second time around to get their second straight win over a quality opponent on Wednesday when the Heat come to American Airlines Center?

Let’s dive in.

Continue to cut down turnovers​

The Mavericks turned the ball over 16 times in last week’s loss at the Heat. That’s about the team’s average, and it puts them in the bottom third of the NBA (23rd of 30 teams) in the ball security department. And that, my friends, is progress. Less than two weeks ago, Dallas was circling the drain, tied for a league-worst turnover-per-game average.

In the three games since their last meeting with Miami, Dallas has turned the ball over just 25 times, and it hasn’t just been cleaner play for clean play’s sake. The Mavs have now won back-to-back games for the first time all season, as Nembhard has taken over starting point guard duties and pleasantly surprised us all in the process.

There are several things, like injury and roster construction, that are at least somewhat beyond the control of the individual players on the floor on a night-to-night basis. What they can control more is taking care of the basketball when it comes their way, and in the admittedly small sample size of a quarter of the 2025-26 season, cutting down turnovers has directly correlated with wins.

Health trending in the right direction​

As of Tuesday’s 4:30 p.m. injury report, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, both of whom are nursing ankle issues, are the only two Mavericks listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Heat. It can only be taken as a good sign that Anthony Davis isn’t listed on the report at all after banging his hand on the rim while jumping to receive a pass from Naji Marshall in the second quarter of Monday’s 131-121 win against the Denver Nuggets. The medical staff checked out Davis’ hand on the bench before he returned to the game late in the second, then scored nine of his game-high 32 points in the fourth.

Davis was not available for last week’s loss in Miami, but on the Heat’s side, neither was Powell, Wiggins or Jovic. Having Davis back, and hopefully getting one or both of Washington and Gafford back in the rotation, would represent a huge roster upgrade for the Mavericks the second time around — and Dallas may need that extra firepower. Wiggins (17.5 points per game) and Jovic (7.8) are listed as available for Wednesday’s game, and Powell (25 points per game) is listed as questionable.

All the defense​

In his four games back on the floor this year, Herro is averaging 24.8 points per game. Powell scored 30 in his first game back from his recent ankle injury. Wiggins scored 31 in his first game back from a left hip flexor issue as well. The Heat can score at will from everywhere and will run you out of the gym if you let them.

It’s not just one-on-one matchups. Their system is built on sprinting out of everything — made baskets as well as misses and live-ball turnovers. The Heat replace the pick-and-roll with utter chaos, and under the direction of maestro Eric Spoelstra, it seems to be working. Miami is second in the NBA in points per game (124.3), they’re fifth in rebounds per game (46.2, likely a product of turning every game possible into a track meet) and second in assists per game (30.3).

Everyone can run, and everyone can score, and they appear to be having a great time doing it, as the Heat are currently tied for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference. With both teams availing themselves of a fuller clip than they did the last time they met, Wednesday night will be a truer test of how Dallas stacks up against one of the hottest commodities out East.

How to watch​

The Mavericks host the Heat at 7:30 p.m. CST Wednesday at American Airlines Center. The game will be televised locally on KFAA Channel 29 and various regional affiliates, and it can also be streamed on MavsTV and NBA League Pass.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...owell-tyler-herro-anthony-davis-ryan-nembhard

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

MMBets: Mavericks try to cool off red-hot Heat in Dallas

The Dallas Mavericks return home for a rematch with the Miami Heat, hoping to extend their win streak to three. Dallas nearly stole the last meeting in Miami, falling 106–102 despite missing Anthony Davis and relying on a hobbled rotation.

Now, with Davis back in the mix and Ryan Nembhard stepping into his own as a confident floor general, the Mavericks are showing signs of cohesion. Cooper Flagg continues his upward trajectory, and Klay Thompson is flashing vintage spurts — but Miami, simply put, is a different beast.

The Heat are running arguably the wildest offense in the league. They average just 12 screens per 100 possessions — dead last by a mile — and opt instead for non-stop movement, cuts, flare-outs, and early-shot-clock aggression. It’s systemized chaos. Spoelstra has turned this roster into a sprint-and-sling machine that thrives off pace and misdirection. They’re currently second in the league in both points and assists per game, and it feels earned.

Tyler Herro (24.8 PPG), Norman Powell (25.0 PPG), and Andrew Wiggins (17.5 PPG) are all in rhythm coming off injury returns, and Miami just posted 124+ in three straight contests. It’s a lot for a short-handed Dallas team to contain — especially if Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington (both GTD with ankle issues) don’t suit up.

Let’s scan the lines in search of value.

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Fixture: Miami Heat (14–7, 6–4 away) at Dallas Mavericks (7–15, 4–5 home)
Tipoff: December 3 | American Airlines Center | 7:30 p.m. CST
TV: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV, NBA League Pass
DraftKings Line as of 5:00am CST: MIA -4.5 | O/U 240.5 | ML: MIA -175 / DAL +145

---

Injury Report Highlights:

Miami Heat:

• Terry Rozier: OUT (knee) — est. return Dec 18
• Keshad Johnson, Norman Powell, Pelle Larsson: GTD

Dallas Mavericks:

• Dereck Lively II: OUT (ankle) — est. return Dec 5
• Dante Exum: OUT (shoulder)
• Kyrie Irving: OUT (heel) — est. return Jan 1
• Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington: GTD (ankle)

---

Game Sides​

Spread: Heat -4.5 at Mavericks
Lean: Heat -4.5

• Dallas has put together two gritty wins, but Miami is not Denver.
• Nembhard was left open repeatedly by a lax Nuggets defense — Spoelstra’s scheme won’t allow that.
• Miami is clicking offensively and playing fast. Their rim pressure and early-clock threes are likely to overwhelm a Mavs defense missing its core bigs.

Total: 240.5
Lean: Over 240.5

• This is the highest line of the Mavs’ season and it still might not be high enough.
• Miami leads the league in pace-adjusted efficiency and has scored 124+ in 3 straight.
• If Flagg and Thompson stay hot, Dallas should do enough to help clear this number — especially in a potential 4th-quarter chase game.

---

Player Props​

Tyler Herro over 21.5 points (-111)
Herro’s played four games since returning from ankle surgery — averaging 24.8 PPG. The Mavs have no stopper at the point of attack, and he should get plenty of clean looks curling off movement and exploiting mismatches in transition.

Anthony Davis over 11.5 rebounds (+102)
Davis dropped 32 points in the last game and is averaging nearly 10 RPG on the season. With Lively out and Gafford questionable, AD could feast on the glass against a Miami squad that sends multiple cutters but often concedes weak-side rebounding.

Norman Powell over 2.5 threes (-142)
It’s juiced, but for good reason — Powell’s hit 3+ triples in every game since returning. With the Mavs rotating slower forwards like PJ and Max Christie, Powell should get his shots off.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...ericks-try-to-cool-off-red-hot-heat-in-dallas

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Player Grades – Recapping the Mavericks vs. the Heat

The Dallas Mavericks took on the Miami Heat for the second time in about as many weeks. Looking to extend their first win streak of the season, the Mavericks did exactly that with a 118-108 win.

Let’s get to the grades!

Ryan Nembhard: A​

15 PTS / 5 REB / 13 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 34 MIN​

This game was not the career night he had the other day, but what this guy is doing is majorly impressive. Nembhard had a double-double before the third quarter buzzer sounded and once again played a terrific overall game, shooting 6-for-10 including a perfect 3-for-3 from deep, while dropping dimes with another ridiculous assist-to-turnover ratio (13:1). He is the first rookie in NBA history with a slash line of 43 points, 23 assists and one turnover over a two-game span.

Max Christie: B​

10 PTS / 2 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 32 MIN​

Christie was quietly effective on 3-for-6 shooting (2-for-4 from deep) and hit both of his free throws. His game doesn’t jump off the page, but he was solid overall and contributed to the win on both sides of the ball, garnering a team-best plus/minus of 18.

Cooper Flagg: A​

22 PTS / 6 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 31 MIN​

Flagg got off to a red hot start, finishing 9-for-13, but somehow committed three fouls in his first 12 minutes of action. He didn’t commit another foul for the remainder of the game. His only other blemish was three turnovers. A turnaround jumper from the stripe, followed by a block, followed by a layup with under two minutes remaining in the game, basically sealed the deal. Flagg is very impressive and has shown tremendous growth, proving again he can be a go-to player for the Mavs.

Naji Marshall: B+​

18 PTS / 5 REB / 4 AST / 2 STL / 1 BLK – 36 MIN​

Marshall had a real nice game, with excellent shooting (8-for-12) boosting his grade. He led the team in minutes played and did a lot of intangibles. He calmly drained an important three late in the fourth quarter.

Anthony Davis: B​

17 PTS / 17 REB / 4 AST / 1 STL / 3 BLK – 28 MIN​

Davis had a solid double-double and really cleaned the glass, but he shot inefficiently overall. Worse still, he got roasted by Kel’el Ware, who would love nothing more than to play the Mavs 82 games per year. Four turnovers did not help the cause. Credit for a big rejection against Ware in the closing minutes, and acknowledgment for the injured finger that likely affected the shooting efficiency, and credit for a couple of big shots when they mattered.

D’Angelo Russell: B​

10 PTS / 3 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 15 MIN​

Russell found his shot (4-for-7 and 2-for-4 from deep) and put together a solid game, highlighted by canning two consecutive shots from deep (one of the circus variety) to bolster a Mavs’ lead that had dwindled a bit at the time. Those shots really can’t be understated. Playing alongside another ball-handling guard seems to be helping Russell and it’s nice to see him willing to play that role.

Klay Thompson: B+​

17 PTS / 3 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 26 MIN​

Thompson coming off the bench appears to be working. Since moving to the second unit, Thompson has produced at a level similar to what we saw last year when he started full-time. He came ready to shoot (five attempts in his first five minutes) and his aim was true from deep, though his shots from inside the arc were less effective (6-for-17 overall, 5-for-12 from three). He gave the team a nice boost and helped them grab the lead in the second quarter.

Daniel Gafford: N/A​

2 PTS / 5 REB / 0 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 14 MIN​

Gafford came off the bench as he is still nursing a right ankle injury. In a disappointing turn of events, he re-injured that same ankle late in the third quarter and went to the locker room.

Final thoughts​

Despite Daniel Gafford being available, the Mavericks somewhat surprisingly started Anthony Davis at center, thus giving them one of the more conventional starting lineups they’ve featured all season. Trailing in the opening minutes, the Mavs chipped away to take the lead, then blew things open for a bit. At one point they were up by 17 points and it dawned on me that we’ve not seen that much this season.

Dallas is now on a three game winning streak and looking like a solid team, as Nembhard has gotten minutes, Davis has returned from injury and Flagg has developed rapidly.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/nba-f...ks-vs-heat-cooper-flagg-ryan-nembhard-118-108

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

3 things after Dallas smothers Miami, wins 118-108

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat 118-108 Wednesday night in Dallas, led by Cooper Flagg’s 22-point and six-rebound effort, which included eight big fourth-quarter points as Miami was making a late push that got them to within four. And Cooper got to those 22 points without attempting a three-point shot, making it a point to move downhill towards the basket and also earning five free throws in the process.

Anthony Davis had 17 points to go with his 17 rebounds, and Klay Thompson stayed hot behind the arc, going 5-for-12 tonight.

Kel-el Ware was Miami’s leading scorer. He put in 22 points and 10 rebounds on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting night.

It almost feels like they’re doing it on purpose. On Wednesday night, just like they did on Monday against the Nuggets, the Mavs came out and fell into a quick, double-digit hole, only to flip the script and romp to a decisive victory.

While the Denver game had huge standout performances from Anthony Davis and the two rookies, Cooper Flagg and Ryan Nembhard, tonight’s game was an offensive assault from all angles. Seven different players scored in double digits.

Who’s going to stop Nembhard?​

After his “I’ve arrived” announcement game in Denver, there was a certain sense that, once teams were wise to the Dallas rookie, he wouldn’t be able to catch opposing defenses by surprise anymore. Well, if there’s a team that’s going to put that theory to the test, it wasn’t Miami.

Not only did Nembhard put up 15 points, but he also finished with another double-double. His ability to pilot the resurgent Dallas offense was apparent on account of his team-leading 13 assists. He also had five rebounds, just for good measure.

It would be hard to heap too much praise on the undrafted rookie with how he has seemed to be the catalyst for the Mavericks’ abrupt about-face offensively. Who knew having a solid point guard on the floor could yield such good results?

A smothering defensive effort​

Miami has been making waves this season for just how fast-paced their offense has been so far this season. Predictably, that high-speed mentality has meant they’ve been among the leaders in the NBA in fast-break points. They score the second-most in the league with 19.5 per game.

The Dallas defense didn’t just hold Miami to 14 points on the fastbreak; they also outscored them with 19 fastbreak points of their own. And it wasn’t just fastbreak defense. Miami has been the league’s second-highest-scoring team (behind the aforementioned Denver, who Dallas also just contained), and Dallas held them to 108 points, 16 below their season average of 124.

There were promising signs of defensive adjustability. Tyler Herro had 20 points in the first half and looked, by all accounts, like he was going to be the main issue for Dallas’ defenders. But the Mavs came out after halftime and held Herro scoreless the entire second half on 0-for-5 shooting.

Cooper Flagg is a clutch-time menace​

Dallas has played a disproportionate amount of clutch games so far this year – that is, games within five points during the final five minutes of the game. Their 17 coming into tonight is two more than any other team so far. If nothing else, it’s something of a silver lining that, even when their record was at its worst, they were never really getting blown out.

Well, all that clutch-time practice is already paying dividends for Cooper Flagg. There was a sequence late in the fourth with Miami looking to make it a one-possession game that went: Flagg turnaround jumper, Flagg blocked shot, Flagg driving layup. Dallas’ six-point lead ballooned back to double digits and effectively ended the comeback attempt from Miami.

Flagg has said that the physicality of the NBA has been the biggest adjustment. Well, he’s looking plenty adjusted. Flagg didn’t attempt a single three the entire game, and made nearly all of his shots either in or around the paint, often seeking contact and earning multiple foul calls.

His trajectory continues to point straight up, and he couldn’t have had a more impressive series of games as these two against Denver and Miami

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...ings-after-dallas-smothers-miami-wins-118-108

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Dereck Lively seeking “multiple opinions” on next steps for his injured right foot

According to the Dallas Mavericks’ public relations office, third-year center Dereck Lively II is seeking out multiple opinions on next steps concerning his injured right foot.

Lively last played in a November 21st game against the Pelicans. This season he’s played in just seven games after missing time in 2024-25 due to a fracture in his right ankle. When that fracture occurred is unclear; Lively missed several games with an ankle injury, then was reportedly put through a tough work out by former strength coach Keith Belton. The next day a CT scan revealed a stress fracture and Lively missed the next three months, returning for the final games of the regular season. Lively missed 27 games in his rookie campaign, due to both injuries and personal reasons.

The Mavericks have been cagey with this current injury by not disclosing what it is and have instead disclosed his symptoms. The main symptoms they note are “swelling” along with “discomfort”. Swelling and discomfort have a root cause, and they either do not know, which seems unlikely, or they haven’t chosen to share what the cause is. I am not sure how they’re able to get away with not sharing this information.

Given the general tomfoolery that’s surrounded the Mavericks the last year going back to trade of Luka Doncic and everything else to do with former General Manager Nico Harrison, Dallas would do well to perhaps act with some transparency. Let’s start with: what is the injury? Then they can proceed to explaining the timeline of when this started bothering Lively. Injuries are a constant in the NBA, fans understand that. But a curt press release that prompts more questions than answers isn’t the way.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...lively-injury-dallas-mavericks-right-foot-bad

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

MMBets Game of the Week: The Mavericks look to topple the mighty Thunder

The Mavericks are in Oklahoma City for a (Prime)time matchup with the Thunder. Dallas has won three in a row, and the Thunder have only lost a single game all year. This will be the Mavericks’ toughest test yet during their win streak, but if history tells us anything, they have a puncher’s chance. Cooper Flagg will look for a signature performance while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will try to continue his MVP campaign. This should be an excellent late-night snack.

Before getting into our picks, here is how we stand so far:

Last week’s results​

Tyler: -$209

David: +$489

Season to date​

Tyler: 9-11-0 (-$102)

David: 10-9-0 (+$269)

Last time out was excellent for me and not as good for Tyler. Here’s to two great weeks.

Game Details​

Fixture: Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder | NBA 2025-2026

Date and Time: Friday, December 5th, 2025; 8:40 PM CST

Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK.

Odds up to date as of 1:00 PM CST from FanDuel

Game Lines​

Spread Mavericks +15 (-108)

Total O/U 228.5 (-112/-108)

Moneyline Mavericks +700

Tyler’s Plays​

• Thunder -24.5 (+245)
• Under 228.5 points (-112)
• Jalen Williams over 29.5 PRA (-130)
• Ajay Mitchell over 15.5 points (-102)

I know everyone is very high on the Mavericks at the moment, and for good reason. These three wins have been great! However, none of them came against this juggernaut. Reality hits tonight. I think it’s like 125-95, so that means the under as well. Finally, I expect the secondary playmakers for OKC to have nice nights with Shai drawing so much attention. Expect big games from the newly healthy Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, the best player nobody is talking about in the NBA.

David’s Plays​

• Cooper Flagg to score 20+ points (+210)
• Mavericks +9.5 (+172)
• Shai Gelgeous-Alexander over 31.5 points (-122)
• Anthony Davis to get 25+ points (+190)

Dallas always plays the Thunder close. They have been their kryptonite for three years running, and the 15-point spread is just absurd. This will be a single-digit game. The Thunder are without Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alex Caruso. That is a lot of defense they are missing. Davis should dominate Chet Holmgren, and Flagg should get to his spots as he has been. SGA is a nightmare matchup for this Dallas defense and will bear the load for the Thunder.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...-thunder-cooper-flagg-shai-gilgeous-alexander

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Stats Rundown: 4 numbers to know from the Mavericks’ 132-111 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder

A promising start devolved into a familiar nightmare on Friday for the Dallas Mavericks (8-16) in a 132-111 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder (22-1) at Paycom Center. The Thunder defense clamped down on both Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis to extend Oklahoma City’s win streak to 14 and put the kibosh on the Mavs’ three-game win streak in the process.

Friday night’s game against the Thunder was always going to be a different kind of test, but Dallas failed to learn from their second-quarter mistakes and folded in the third as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10-of-12 from the field and took the fourth quarter off while the Thunder rolled over a Mavs team that was just never equipped to keep up.

Here are four stats that paint the picture of a loss that was, in retrospect, inevitable.

7-of-11: Mavericks’ shooting start​

Could the Mavericks possibly do the unthinkable and pull off the massive upset in Oklahoma City? They made their case to start the game. Dallas hit seven of their first 11 shot attempts in the first six minutes at the Thunder. Ryan Nembhard rose up for a 3-pointer from the right corner off Flagg’s drive-and-desperation-dish to set the tone. He pulled up for a contested mid-range jumper from Naji Marshall to give the Mavs an 11-9 lead just four minutes into the game before finding Flagg on a back cut for a tall alley-oop a minute and change later.

The game got downright swampy when the second string came in to give the Mavs’ starters a breath, but Dallas weathered the storm by forcing four turnovers in the game’s first eight minutes. Brandon Williams got hot late in the first quarter, scoring a team-high seven points off the bench in the frame, before D’Angelo Russell stepped back for a 3-ball with two seconds left in the first to knot the game at 27-27.

Dallas shot 11-of-22 (50%) from the field and 3-of-10 (30%) from 3-point range to keep their heads above water after one.

2-of-10: Combined first-half shooting for Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis​

The Thunder methodically took control of the game in the second quarter, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored seven of his nine points in the frame at the free-throw line. He led all scorers with 17 points as the Thunder took a 63-48 lead into the break.

Meanwhile, Flagg and Davis found it much harder to manufacture offense for the Mavs. Flagg shot just 2-of-6 from the field and missed both his 3-point attempts. Flagg was at least aggressive going to the basket, going 6-of-6 at the line, even as he hesitated to shoot from the outside a couple of times after those first two misses. Davis only shot the ball four times in the first half, missing all four of those attempts and looking borderline soft at times in the process. His putback attempt on the Mavericks’ last possession of the first half was swatted away by Chet Holmgren and Dallas tucked their tails going into halftime, all of a sudden down by 15 points.

The Thunder went on a 20-8 scoring run over the last 5:20 of the second quarter to put the Mavs in their place. The rest of the Mavericks shot 15-of-30 from the floor in the first half.

Flagg and Davis both missed their first attempts of the second half, while Cason Wallace nailed a corner 3-pointer and Gilgeous-Alexander made two more at the line to extend the Oklahoma lead to 20 early in the third.

95: Consecutive games with 20-plus points for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander​

After hitting those two free throws early in the third to put him at 19 points, Gilgeous-Alexander diced through the lane and scored on a scooping lay-in to give the Thunder a 72-50 lead and bring his streak of consecutive games scoring 20 or more points to 95. He was getting everything he wanted against the Mavericks’ defense, which came into the game fifth in the NBA in defensive rating (111.5).

Wilt Chamberlain holds the all-time record for consecutive games of 20-plus points. He scored 20 or more in 126 straight from October 1961 through January 1963, so Gilgeous Alexander still needs 31 more in a row to move from second to first all-time with his ongoing streak.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 of his game-high 33 points in the third quarter as the Thunder outscored the Mavs 41-26 out of halftime. He grabbed five rebounds, dished six assists and sat the entire fourth quarter for the 12th time this season. It’s ridiculous how good Oklahoma City is.

23: Garbage-time points from Jaden Hardy​

Like clockwork, Jaden Hardy had it stuck on automatic for the Mavs with the outcome of the game already decided. He poured in 12 points in the last 5:45 of the third quarter, after the Thunder had already extended their lead to 30 points. Hardy pulled up for jumpers on back-to-back possessions late in the third to cut that lead to 94-70, but the damage had already been done.

Flagg finished the game with a halfway respectable 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Davis (1-of-9 shooting) finally connected on his first field goal of the game with 7:40 left to play. Hardy led the Mavericks with 23 points in the loss on 8-of-13 (5-of-9 from 3-point range) shooting, while Marshall chipped in 18 more.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...r-flagg-anthony-davis-shai-gilgeous-alexander

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

3 things to ponder as the Houston Rockets visit the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks (8-16, 5-9 Home) return home after a 132-111 road loss to the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavs will square off against the division-leading Houston Rockets (15-5, 8-3 Away) tonight at 7:30pm.

Another tall task​

The Mavericks were facing the real possibility that their 5-16 start would translate to 5-(imagine a much bigger number here) as they stared down a very rough schedule on paper. Gutsy wins versus the Clippers, Nuggets, and Heat have Dallas sitting 8-16 entering tonight’s tussle with Houston. While still miles away from the .500 mark, finding a way to protect their home floor against a Rockets squad that will likely be without Alperen Şengün (23 points | 9 rebounds | 7 assists | 50.5% FG) would certainly keep the glimmer of hope alive for those wishing the Mavericks keep their pieces and press on towards a potential postseason appearance. Houston leads the division for good reason and has formidable lineups even without its elite big man. With no players exceeding thirty minutes of playing time against the mighty Thunder, Dallas should have enough in the tank to make this one interesting into the fourth quarter.

Nembhard now a starter​

Starting the season buried on the bench, it felt like a matter of time before Ryan Nembhard got his shot at the starting lineup. Jason Kidd began the year forcing Cooper Flagg to begin his NBA career out of position, then pivoting to stretches of starting both D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Williams (now both playing with the second unit) before handing a shot at the job to Nembhard.

Before the season, the MavsMoneyBall player preview for Nembhard, I predicted the best case: “In the best case, he defines his lane so clearly that the front office never even considers cycling his two-way spot and near season’s end he finds his way onto a permanent roster spot much the way Brandon Williams did last season.”

Marc Stein reports that Nembhard has convinced the Mavericks to secure that permanent roster spot as soon as possible. Over his five games since joining the starting lineup, Nembhard is averaging 15.6 points. 6.8 assists, and most importantly – exactly one lonely turnover per game. The Mavericks have risen to 23rd in the league with 15.7 turnovers per game on the strength of 11.7 in the last three games. Nembhard is keeping the Mavs organized, shooting when open without hesitation, and making the right reads to his teammates.

The Rockets’ Amen Thompson looms as quite the challenge for Nembhard in this contest. Putting together another solid night against the second-best defense in the league would be another stepping stone for the Maverick rookie.

Trade season looming​

Whether you believe the Mavericks’ season still has a pulse or if you are already looking forward to the 2026 NBA Draft, there is something we can all agree on—the next three games are crucial. Even though the NBA trade deadline is on February 6th 2026, it is December 15th that marks the de facto start of the trade season. Ideas chambered in the proverbial holster often must rely on including players that signed in the offseason and thus cannot be traded until the December 15th 2025 line is crossed.

It is unclear how the Dallas Mavericks view their season and their future, yet they are about to answer those questions loudly with how they approach the trade market. Staying healthy tonight against Houston, Friday’s game against Brooklyn, and the matchup with Utah on the 15th will mean—at the very least—no additional injuries to the roster. While there is no guarantee that any trades will pop off immediately, keeping players healthy is paramount for the Mavs’ brain trust as they explore options.

Where to watch​

KFAA-TV, Mavs.com, League Pass. Tipoff is set for 7:30pm CST.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...he-houston-rockets-visit-the-dallas-mavericks

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Player Grades: Recapping the Mavericks’ 122-109 win over the Houston Rockets

The Dallas Mavericks (9-16) were on the second night of a back-to-back, taking on the Houston Rockets (15-6) before a five-day layoff while NBA Cup games take place. Aiming to head into their break on a high note, the Mavs took it to the Rockets with a 122-109 victory.

Let’s get to the grades!

Ryan Nembhard: B+​

11 PTS / 1 REB / 7 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 23 MIN​

Nembhard had two turnovers, which is noteworthy purely because that paltry total is somehow a lot for him. He once again had a solid game, hitting 5-for-7 from the field (including his only 3-point attempt). It wasn’t his best night, but there was really nothing to complain about. He’s showing that his early success was not a fluke. We’ve got a real NBA point guard on our hands, folks.

Naji Marshall: B+​

15 PTS / 2 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 28 MIN​

Marshall is on a heater lately and continued his strong play with a 6-for-8 on Saturday. He didn’t have gaudy rebounding or assist totals, but once again his intangibles were off the chart. Marshall played sticky defense to help him to a higher grade than his stat line alone would indicate.

Cooper Flagg: B+​

19 PTS / 5 REB / 3 AST / 2 STL / 2 BLK – 36 MIN​

Flagg had a solid, well-balanced game, putting up numbers in all categories and making a couple of big shots in the waning minutes to help Dallas seal the deal. He joined P.J. Washington in putting down a couple of ferocious slams and bringing the energy Dallas has needed for quite some time. His confidence certainly has a positive impact on the home crowd, and it’s apparent his teammates feed off it as well.

P.J. Washington: A-​

14 PTS / 7 REB / 1 AST / 5 STL / 1 BLK – 26 MIN​

Washington never fails to remind me that he is a very important piece to this team, every time he comes back from an injury. He shot a solid 6-for-13, with the majority of his misses coming from beyond the arc (2-for-7). However, he hit a critically important 3-ball from his special spot in the corner during the fourth quarter when the Rockets were trying to claw back into the game. He provided fans with a personal slam dunk contest as well, which got the crowd into it and deflated the Rockets a bit. His impressive five steals helped boost his grade, as did his team-high plus/minus of +24.

Anthony Davis: A​

29 PTS / 8 REB / 2 AST / 2 STL / 1 BLK – 30 MIN​

Davis is puzzling sometimes. How a player can look so disinterested and play so poorly, then 24 hours later go 14-for-19 from the field is befuddling. Davis looked like a different player on Saturday after Friday night’s 1-for-9 stinker against the Thunder, hitting nearly everything while also contributing a little something to each of the five primary statistical categories. Zero turnovers relative to how often he had the ball was also a nice showing.

Brandon Williams: A-​

20 PTS / 1 REB / 5 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK – 23 MIN​

Williams found his shot tonight, going 8-for-12 from the floor en route to tying his season-high in scoring. He didn’t turn it over a single time as he found teammates for a solid assist total and played his typically high-energy brand of basketball.

Final Thoughts​

Don’t look now, but the Mavericks are fun! The early-season games where they looked like five strangers that couldn’t pass the ball now feel like a distant memory. The pall of the Nico Harrison era was not immediately lifted after his departure, but lately things are different. The Mavs are still dealing with injuries, but they seem to have a vibe about them that has brought emotion back to the fan base. The guys all seem to genuinely pull for each other and for the most part, everyone is engaged. Even after Davis laid a stinker at the Thunder, he came out and got to work on Saturday against the Rockets. D’Angelo Russell easily could have pouted about his benching subsequent off-ball role, but instead he seems to be doing what is asked of him without complaint. Dare we say the vibes are good.

Tonight, 16-for-22 third quarter shooting propelled the Mavs to a win. The Rockets had won 10 of 12 games coming into tonight and the Mavs not only hung with them, but outscored them big in a second half run that resulted in a 13-point win.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...2-109-cooper-flagg-anthony-davis-kevin-durant

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Stats Rundown: 5 numbers to know from the Mavericks’ 122-109 win over the Houston Rockets

The Dallas Mavericks (9-16) picked up their fourth win in five games on Saturday, toppling the Houston Rockets (15-6) 122-109 behind a full-throttle second-half surge at American Airlines Center. Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 29 points on 14-of-19 shooting, eight rebounds and two steals in the win. Brandon Williams chipped in a new season-high scoring mark of 20 points off the bench to go along with five assists, while Cooper Flagg added 19 points, five boards, two steals and two blocks in one of the most exciting wins of the 2025-26 season.

Every member of the Mavericks’ starting five scored in double figures in the win over Houston, who were led by Kevin Durant’s 27 points in the loss. Jabari Smith Jr. added 22.

No matter what happens with this team going forward, Saturday night’s win was one the Mavs can hang their hat on. They played with joy. They played with verve. They played with wit and grit, outscoring the Rockets 74-58 in the paint.

Here are five more stats that loomed large over one of the Mavs’ best performances of 2025.

16-of-22: Mavericks’ combined shooting start over team’s last two games​

Friday night saw the Mavericks start their 132-111 loss at the Oklahoma City Thunder 7-of-11 from the field. They were even better on Saturday night to start the game against the Rockets, making eight field goals in a row after missing their first shot attempt. The 9-of-11 shooting start against Houston was the team’s best start to a game all season.

Davis, who went 1-for-9 from the field on Friday, started the game off by air-balling a fading turnaround attempt in the lane, but made his next four, recording eight points in the game’s first 5:17. After finding little-to-no room to work on Friday against the defense of Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams, Davis was decidedly more aggressive to start the game against the Rockets, who were without Alperen Sengun (illness) and Steven Adams (ankle).

Davis helped the Mavs sprint out to an early 19-8 lead in the game’s first five-plus minutes and led Dallas with eight points and three boards in the first quarter. Houston responded with a 14-4 run as the Mavericks’ subs trickled into the game, and the Mavs took a 29-26 lead after one. Durant led all scorers with 13 first-quarter points on 6-of-8 shooting for the Rockets.

13-3: Mavericks’ second-quarter scoring run​

Williams and Cormac Karl “Max” Christie fueled a 13-3 Mavericks’ run late in the second quarter after the Rockets spent the first six minutes of the quarter wrestling back the lead. Christie nailed a nasty banking 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock and was fouled on his follow-through by Smith with 4:58 left in the first half. He sunk the free throw to complete the four-point play to tie the game at 44-44.

Flagg scored on a run-out off a P.J. Washington steal to put the Mavs back in front before Williams scored the game’s next seven points on a 3-pointer of his own, a high-flying dunk when the Rockets’ defense broke down and a fading jumper the next time down to give the Mavs a 53-47 advantage.

Washington committed a bad foul on Durant’s 3-point attempt on the final possession of the first half, and Durant converted all three free throws. The Mavs would have carried the lead into halftime without that blemish, but after the free throws, the game was tied at the break, 57-57. Durant, once again, led all scorers at the half with 20 points for Houston.

19/6: First-half production for the Mavericks’ point guards​

Williams’ second-quarter heater gave the backup point guard 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting in the first half to lead Dallas. It was his highest-scoring half of the season. Starter Ryan Nembhard played the quiet distributor throughout the first half, scoring six points to go along with six assists before the break.

What’s even better — the pair combined for zero first-half turnovers. This is what the Mavericks need from their backcourt while Kyrie Irving is on the shelf. They need a steady hand steering the thing, and that’s what Nembhard, in particular, has brought to the team in the last six games.

Since moving into the starting lineup, Nembhard had turned the ball over just five times in five games going into Saturday. In those five games, the Mavericks have turned the ball over just 10.5 times per game, a far cry from their 16.6 per game average before Nembhard became the starter. With each passing game, that correlation is starting to feel less and less like a coincidence.

“We’re just picking up the intensity on both ends of the floor,” Williams said in his televised post-game interview after picking up a season-high 20 points in the win over Houston.

Dallas turned the ball over just six times in the first half against the Rockets.

14-0: Dallas’ third-quarter run​

Naji drills the LONG 3 at the buzzer!!
97-84 after 3Q pic.twitter.com/CmT70sa6EY

— MavsHighlights (@MavsHighlights) December 7, 2025

The Mavericks’ recent three-game winning streak, which was halted with Friday’s loss at the juggernaut that is the Thunder, may have raised some eyebrows. But at few, if at any, points did it feel like any sort of turnaround was really going to happen. I mean, really really happen. It was nice to see, it was fun, but at every point, beleaguered Mavs fans everywhere had to be wondering, is this real?

For me, the first time all season I said to myself, “The Mavericks deserve to win this game and have good things happen” came in the third quarter on Saturday against the Rockets. They were playing with a swagger heretofore unseen this season — like they deserved to beat a good team.

After falling down 68-65 on a wide open Clint Capela dunk with 7:24 left in the third, Dallas ran off 14 unanswered points on their way to out-gunning the Rockets 37-20 in what might have been the best quarter the team has played all year. They were forcing turnovers and converting fast-break opportunities at will. They made all 13 of their third-quarter paint attempts.

After taking a 79-68 lead on Washington’s steal and runaway slam with 4:33 left in the third to complete the 14-0 spurt, the Mavs weren’t done. No, not by a long shot. They kept getting to the bucket. Davis scored on two more drives to give him 25 points through three quarters, and Williams scored on another. Washington battled on the offensive glass to tip in Williams’ miss with 1:40 left in the frame, then the AAC erupted when Naji Marshall nailed a long 3-pointer near the top of the key to put an exclamation mark on the quarter and give the Mavs a 94-77 lead headed to the fourth.

What was a 14-0 run extended into a 29-9 full-body catharsis over the last seven-plus minutes of the third quarter. It was inspired. It was beautiful. And, yes, our little Mavs deserved every bit of it.

34-14: Dallas’ points-off-turnovers advantage​

COOPER SLAM!!! pic.twitter.com/wyWHLTa1FI

— MavsHighlights (@MavsHighlights) December 7, 2025

The Mavericks recorded 17 combined steals and blocked shots on the night, and used those opportunities to steal a win against the Rockets with both teams playing on the second night their respective back-to-back sets. They forced 20 Houston turnovers and outscored the Rockets 28-8 on the fast break as a direct result.

Washington had five steals in his first game back after missing four games with that freak ankle injury he sustained in pre-game warmups before Dallas’ 114-110 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers. The Mavs mauled the Rockets off turnovers, outscoring Houston 34-14 in that department on their way to the 13-point win.

“Super excited to be back out there with my guys,” Washington said in his postgame presser. “It’s been a long four games. Just trying to be active on the defensive end and make it as hard as possible for [Durant] to get a touch.”

Durant scored just seven points in the second half on Saturday, in no small part to Washington’s active hands on defense.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...ckets-cooper-flagg-kevin-durant-anthony-davis

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

3 observations after the Mavericks explode past the Houston Rockets, 122-109

The Dallas Mavericks (9-16) bounced back in a big way Saturday night, throttling the Houston Rockets (15-6) at home, 122-109. Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 29 points, eight rebounds, two assists, to go along with two steals and a block. Kevin Durant led all Houston scorers with 27 points.

Dallas played as aggressive a start to a game as they’ve played all season. With Ryan Nembhard pushing the pace and Davis and Cooper Flagg finishing plays, Dallas jumped out to a 19-8 lead. Kevin Durant plays basketball for Houston, however, and rallied back with nine straight Rockets points. Houston took the lead briefly, but a PJ Washington strip and dunk gave Dallas a 29-26 cushion after one.

The pace for both teams continued into the second quarter but Dallas maintained the lead throughout. Turnovers and foul trouble bit Houston throughout the frame and they were unable to wrestle control of the game, even if they did take the lead midway through the frame. A pair of late mistakes from the Dallas defense allowed the Rockets to tie it up at 57 just before halftime.

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The two teams traded baskets for the first half of the third quarter. Amen Thompson picked up his fourth foul, which would portend serious problems to come for Houston. After the Rockets took a 68-65 lead on a goofy backcourt turnover around the seven-minute mark, the Dallas defense came alive. The Mavericks rattled off a 14-0 run on the back of four Houston turnovers in rapid succession. The Mavericks scored on something close to 12 straight possessions and built up a 17-point lead to take into the final frame. Dallas led 94-77 after three periods of play.

The Maverick lead grew to as many as 22 before Dallas took their collective foot off the gas. Houston took advantage of the lull from Dallas, forced a number of turnovers, and chipped the lead back to 11 by the five minute mark. Brandon Williams made one of the best fast break steals I remember seeing, effectively ending any chance Houston had of making a comeback. In the end, Dallas won their fourth game in five tries, this time beating the Houston Rockets, 122-109.

You saw the vision in the third quarter​

With all disrespect due to our dearly departed former general manager, the third quarter stretch where the defensive whirling dervish of Flagg, Washington and Davis forced the Rockets into a bundle of turnovers all in succession. The trio finished with nine steals and four blocks.

Flagg is just proposterous on defense. He just appears in the right place — and that’s a skill, mind you. After a bad game against the Thunder, where he got caught flat-footed often and gave up baskets he usually doesn’t, he roamed the defensive end of the floor with great presence against the Rockets, treating fans to multiple examples of his next-level anticipation. He’s just good at this.

Washington showed himself last year to be a strong and willing defender, and when paired with Davis and Flagg, his best abilities are amplified. He has trust that his teammates will have his back and help if he gets beat. It’s also a joy to watch him finish in transition.

Davis is a former all-multiverse defender. He can’t guard in space anymore, but that is what it is. His paint defense and rim protection remain fantastic. Great anticipation and reputation force opposing offensive players to overthink regular plays.

Downhill Davis makes all the difference​

Compared to Friday night’s massive disappointment (2 points, 1-of-9 shooting), Davis lived in the paint and at the rim on Saturday. When he’s forceful on offense, it changes the effectiveness of everything the Mavericks want to do on that end of the floor. His aggressiveness begets more aggressiveness. It’s really quite something to behold when he goes at the rim. Davis might not have the hops of a 19-year-old Flagg (or the Davis of yesteryear), but he’s still huge and athletic and hard to stop. Houston didn’t have a reasonable answer all game long without Alperen Sengun (illness) and Steven Adams (ankle).

He’s a natural five, and while I’d like to see the Mavericks healthy, at least we don’t have to pay lip service to him wanting to play power forward.

Protecting the ball​

During these last give games where the Mavericks are 4-1, they are turning the ball over just 11 times a game. That’s down in a massive way compared to early in the season where they were averaging north of 15 in every contest. Simply not giving it away gives Dallas an edge they didn’t have earlier on this year, and while it’s difficult to say if they can keep this kind of ball-security intact for the rest of the season, it’s been the defining factor in this stretch of games. That has led to the best basketball we’ve seen from this bunch this season.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...vis-cooper-flagg-ryan-nembhard-dallas-houston

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Roundtable: Favorite part of the season so far

This week’s question was direct: What’s been your favorite part of the season through the first 20 or so games?

Chris: Flagg’s development.

We’re not even a third of the way the season and he’s already shown he’s picking up on the differences of the NBA, particularly the physicality.

• First 10 games: 13.9 PPG, 6.6 REB, 3.0 AST
• Last 15 games: 18.3 PPG, 6.7 REB, 3.5 AST

Some of his improvement is also due to the end of the “point guard experiment.” The Mavericks are putting him at his natural position as a wing and he’s getting to his spots. I would like to see him take more shots, but it’s easy to forget his foremost talents are on the defensive side, which is what he was known for in his high school and college days.

But it can’t go without saying, that mid-range jumper around the free throw line is beautiful and not many wings have the strength or length to consistently challenge that shot.

He’s been working on his game and it shows. Once that 3-point shot starts falling, the league is in trouble.

Tyler: It’s the rookies. For everyone who got concerned about Flagg early in the season, I hope you’ve all calmed down and realized that he is simply a slow starter. It only happened at Montverde, and at Duke, and now here. He’s fine! And Ryan Nembhard, who I’m sure most of you are tired of hearing us say “I told you so” on. But hey, we told you so.

David: Number one is Nico Harrison getting fired. I know that is a bit of a lazy answer but it truly changed my entire outlook on the season. And Jason Kidd started playing better lineups after the firing! A close second is the emergence of Ryan Nembhard. I campaigned for him to start back in June and now to see him flourish in that role is very cool.

Bryan: Flagg, Christie and Nembhard. Cooper Flagg has been as advertised since moving back to forward full time. His confidence as an on-ball scorer in the clutch has grown and his comfort as an off-ball threat has as well. Max Christie exceeded my expectations for his season by the 5th game of the year as he’s been our most reliable knockdown shooter/POA defender until Klay’s recent return to form on offense. Ryan Nembhard, while a guy I was particularly stoked to add to this roster pre-draft, has truly been a revelation. He’s every bit the floor general he was billed as in college and a scorer willing to take what defenses give him in attempts to bottle up his higher profile teammates. Watching lineups featuring these three has been a joy that I hope to keep experiencing for years to come yet.

Brent: The best thing about this season is the drama. You can have so many justifiable opinions of this team. Want 1000 words on why the season should go the way of Tankathon? Easy? Want just as many on it how things are trending upward? Equally doable.

This fanbase is not accustomed to irrelevant basketball and the yearning to see how much hay can be made this year is understandable amid the brightest stretch of the season. Yet ask yourself this—is the pursuit of maximum upside this season and an early playoff exit worth 8-12 spots lower in the final controlled first-round draft pick of the decade for the Mavericks?

Michael: My favorite part so far has been the general vibe change of late. That encompasses a number of things, but namely Cooper Flagg’s rapid development and Ryan Nembhard’s emergence. The team was utterly dysfunctional at the start of the season with a bizarre lineup, curious players taking on primary roles, and Flagg not getting necessary touches.

Suddenly, Flagg is the go-to guy in the clutch and Nembhard is running the team well above what you would expect from a rookie two-way player. The fact this is translating into wins and the team looks to be genuinely pulling for each other is nicer still. The dysfunctional group of guys without a true point guard has given way to an actual team that seems to genuinely pull for each other’s success. Dare I say it, but the Mavs are fun for the first time in almost a year, largely because of a soon-to-be 19 year old and a two-way player who has become a starter on an NBA roster.

Of course, there is a give-and-take here. It’s never good to breed underachievement into a team with an overt tanking effort, but this team would certainly benefit greatly from a high draft pick this summer. The latter seemed to be a guaranteed over the first month of the season, but not it appears the Mavs will be good enough to be bad. With any luck, the Mavs can find the balance of remaining fun while still securing a high draft pick this year and possibly pulling off a trade for draft capital in the future. Until whatever plays out, actually plays out, it’s awesome to see Flagg growing by significant increments while the team once again elicits some emotion for the first time in a while.

Kirk: I’ve really enjoyed how hard the Mavericks have played this season. Josh started pointing it out last February, but I was in such a funk I didn’t care. But seeing how they compete night after night has been nice. I watch as many games as I can and I watch the whole game if I can. That means that a competitive basketball game makes it watchable. So for that I’m grateful.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/general/53557/roundtable-favorite-part-of-the-season-so-far

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

The inherent peril in feeling feelings and forming expectations as a Mavericks fan

As a fan of the Dallas Mavericks (9-16 and bless their pointed little heads), one of two lines of thought may be running through your head right about now, as the team has beaten three legitimately good teams among four wins in its last five games.

Is it okay to feel feelings about this team again?

And, what should my expectations be for this team going forward?

No one should gate-keep anyone else’s fandom, of course. There is a certain joy and catharsis in watching a team that showed us through a quarter of the season that they were the peers of bottom-feeders like the New Orleans Pelicans, the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers turn it around to show the likes of the Denver Nuggets, the Miami Heat and the Houston Rockets who’s boss for a night.

Feel it. Revel in it while it lasts, by all means.

But take caution against letting it further cloud your vision of the road ahead. That road is cloudy enough as it is. Four wins in five games does not a playoff team make — especially not one built around an injury-prone big man and two rookies while the team waits in hope that a 33-year-old Kyrie Irving can save it from irrelevance with whatever stretch he is able to play coming off knee surgery later this season.

If you’re letting visions of the six seed in the West dance through your head at this point, you’d do just as well waiting up on Christmas Eve for a dude with a big bushy beard and a sack full of toys to come down your chimney. Last year’s Western Conference six-seed, the Minnesota Timberwolves, carried a 49-33 record into the playoffs. To get to 49 wins this year, the Mavericks would have to go 40-17 the rest of the way, starting on Friday, when Dallas hosts the Brooklyn Nets at American Airlines Center. That ain’t happening.

That’s to say nothing about the team’s potential posture come trade deadline time. The Chicago Bulls have reportedly considered trading for Anthony Davis amid rumors swirling about the oft-injured veteran’s future with the Mavericks. Even more recently, though, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on a recent episode of his Hoop Collective podcast that, “what I have heard, what people are saying Anthony Davis’s trade value is right now, not because of him as a player, to be clear, not because he’s diminished as a player, but because of the idea of paying an injury prone 30, mid-30s guy, 50, $60 million in the apron era is unpalatable.”

Let us not take for granted the potential tussle for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s services, though, which may erupt this season. Any losers in that bidding war could talk themselves into Davis trade as a sort of consolation prize.

Whatever the case, Davis’ big games, coming off that calf strain that held him out for 14 games, against the Nuggets (32 points, 13 rebounds two blocked shots), the Heat (17 points, 17 rebounds, three blocked shots) and the Rockets (29 points, eight rebounds) have been foundational for Dallas’ recent string of success. The blueprint for beating good teams recently seems to be big nights for Davis and rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, plus a big night from anyone else on the roster. Under those circumstances and with no small amount of uncertainty regarding Davis’ future, the extent to which one is willing to start feeling feelings again about this team will vary.

But for many, still smarting from lingering disdain or malaise in the wake of The Trade That Is And Should Not Be, how ready are you to invest yourself 10 short months later? Is this cobbled-together version of the Mavericks your team? Does it belong to you in your bones like it once did? Do you hang on every possession?

For me, the correct posture is perked, but ever wary. I’m interested. You have my attention, Mavericks, due as much to the try-hard, never-say-die mentality that permeates this scrappy roster as to Flagg’s emerging dominance. Davis’ presence and impact on the roster remain a few items down the list of reasons why I’m willing to give the team credit and continue to creep closer to something bordering excitement about the 2025-26 Mavericks.

I don’t trust for one second that Davis will be healthy the rest of the year, nor do I have any degree of faith that the Mavericks can net a good haul for him at the trade deadline. If the Mavs are not sellers at the trade deadline, some middling level of ladder-climbing in the West seems like the most likely outcome this season — just enough to prevent Dallas from obtaining one of the best prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft, but not enough to make them a playoff contender in any way, shape or form. That middling success, if you can even call it that, would be the worst possible outcome for a team that owns a first-round pick in the vaunted 2026 draft, then likely won’t control its own again until 2031 (Dallas will swap its 2028 first-round pick with the Oklahoma City Thunder, owns the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2029 first-rounder and will swap the team’s 2030 first-round pick with the San Antonio Spurs).

Some of the other on-court outcomes of late seem unsustainable as well. The Mavericks are shooting 46% from 3-point range in their last four games after a 20-game stretch of being one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA. If we’re able to accept the idea that the Mavericks are going to be decent for a while, when does the log of shooting variance bonk them on the head again? It’s a matter of when, not if. All of these factors combine to lock a thinking man’s fandom in this preternatural holding pattern that is at once confusing, irritating and exhausting.

Perhaps it’s not fair to form expectations for this team until the trade-deadline dust settles. Perhaps forming any at all is a fool’s errand, given the franchise’s erratic nature over the last few years.

Maybe the Mavs will win four of their next five, too, and force the front office to seriously reconsider selling off any of the team’s aging parts. Maybe regression is inevitable. Maybe we should all just wait and see, and remember to breathe as we ride the seesaw of the 2025-26 season. Because while the Mavericks’ ceiling ultimately remains much lower than the apologists will have you believe, the floor has just been raised.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...anthony-davis-cooper-flagg-nba-trade-deadline

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Wurzburg’s next great basketball export is dominating college hoops

As we have officially hit the one-month mark of the college basketball season, contenders are separating and the race to be the number one pick in the 2026 NBA Draft is taking shape. Will the Dallas Mavericks find their way into that race? Perhaps so. But even if they can’t get all the way to the top, they can surely find a quality player with their lone first round pick.

Prospect of the week: Hannes Steinbach (F, Washington)​

Stats of the week: 26.5 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists per game​

If you’ll allow me to do a quick ’30 for 30’ impression… What if I told you there was a forward from Wurzburg, Germany that is lighting up college basketball. His name is Hannes Steinbach, and he is remarkable. Steinbach had his best stretch yet at Washington this week. In their two-point loss to UCLA, Steinbach had 29 points and ten boards on 92% shooting! In their win on the road against 24th ranked USC, Hannes had 24 points and 16 rebounds.

Freshman Hannes Steinbach vs No. 24 USC:

24 PTS
16 REBS

Big time performance to help @UW_MBB complete the comeback pic.twitter.com/U3pM9aQ87Z

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) December 7, 2025

Steinbach’s best skill is his offensive rebounding, where he is best in class. He’s collected 32 offensive boards in six games, which is remarkable for anyone, but especially for a true freshman. The combination of his length, skill and high effort make him a beast on the glass. The defense needs to get better, as UCLA was relentless in attacking him in the second half, but there is plenty to work with for anyone who is able to select him in the 2026 Draft.

Games of the week​

December 9th​

Villanova at 2 Michigan – 5:30p CT (FS1)​

Clemson vs 10 BYU (at Madison Square Garden) – 5:30p CT (ESPN)​

18 Florida vs 5 UConn – 8:00p CT (ESPN)​

This Michigan team has been destroying worlds over the last three weeks. Villanova is not bad by any stretch, so another blowout here would be very impressive. Finally, the Jimmy V Classic is being staged at MSG on Tuesday, with two quality matchups. AJ Dybantsa gets his first crack at playing on the world’s most iconic stage against a Clemson team that has taken a step back from last year’s peak. UConn and Florida is a great rematch from last year’s NCAA Tournament. Only problem for Florida is that Walter Clayton Jr. is not walking through that door this time around.

December 11th​

Iowa at 4 Iowa State – 7:00p CT (FS1)​

The famed CyHawk rivalry returns to Hilton Coliseum this year, and the fourth ranked Cyclones are coming off their best performance of the season in a 23-point win at previously first ranked Purdue. Milan Momcilovic has quite a bit to his game, including some Dirk-esque stuff on the baseline and in the midrange game. I continue to be impressed with Killyan Toure as well. The Clones are contenders if they can keep this level of play up through the year.

Milan Momcilovic making it look too easy @CycloneMBB pic.twitter.com/wTrA5MUQ8U

— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) December 6, 2025

December 12th​

Texas at 5 UConn – 7:00p CT (FOX)​

The Horns have been very hit or miss this season. After a 2-1 showing in Maui, they got their doors blown off by Virginia in Austin. The road doesn’t get any easier in Connecticut, as this Huskies squad has already been tested multiple times this season. The guard matchup here will be fun, as Solo Ball will face off against Jordan Pope and combo guard Dailyn Swain. Keep an eye inside as well, as Texas’ Matas Vokietaitis will be tested against a physical Husky frontcourt.

December 13th​

17 Arkansas vs 16 Texas Tech (at American Airlines Center) – 11:00a CT (ESPN2)​

Memphis at 11 Louisville – 2:30p CT (ESPN)​

23 Nebraska at 13 Illinois – 3:00p CT (Peacock)​

19 Kansas at NC State – 4:30p CT (ESPN)​

Indiana at Kentucky – 6:30p CT (ESPN)​

1 Arizona vs 12 Alabama (in Birmingham) – 8:30p CT (ESPN)​

25 UCLA vs 8 Gonzaga (in Seattle) – 10:30p CT (ESPN)​

If you find yourself not too busy on a Saturday, might I recommend a trip to the AAC to watch some quality college ball? Arkansas and Texas Tech will be a battle of athletes, as both teams simply try to out-athlete the other. Keep an eye on JT Toppin and Christian Anderson for Tech, and Darius Acuff for the Hogs.

Darryn Peterson 1st game back.. vs Missouri.

17 PTS (6-14 FG, 3-9 3PT)
3 REBS

He a top 2 lock?? pic.twitter.com/DcdlhCny6F

— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) December 7, 2025

Darryn Peterson is back for Kansas, and the NC State Wolfpack will be a good test for him. The pack can be stingy defensively, led by Tre Holloman and Darrion Williams. Kansas will need everything for this one.

Indiana and Kentucky is the miserable game of the week, as I am not sure there is a single person associated with either team that is happy at the moment.

Finally, our two night caps are just fantastic. Both games should be fast paced with plenty of offense. Arizona and Alabama will feature two elite prospects in Koa Peat and Labaron Philon. Both guys should have favorable matchups here, as well. In Seattle, the Zags will see solid guard play from UCLA, featuring Donovan Dent. It should be quality viewing into the night.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...w-nba-draft-dallas-mavericks-hannes-steinbach

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

To Stay or Not to Stay? Four Prime Landing Spots for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It’s that time of year when trade chatter starts to heat up. By mid-December, most teams start to have a good idea of who they are (or are not). Team executives start to mull around ideas of roster reshuffling and what they want their teams to look like post-trade deadline.

For the most part, mid-season trades rarely involve superstars. The Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis swap is an exception to this rule and was unprecedented on many levels. Most trades leading up to the February deadline involve role players. This season will most likely be the same, but with one major potential addition: Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks are going nowhere, sitting at 10-15 and 10th in the Eastern Conference. Since their 2021 championship season, the Bucks have won only one playoff series, and reports are emerging of Antetokounmpo’s potential unhappiness. In the coming weeks, the Bucks and Antetokounmpo will discuss his future and decide on a path forward. If that path involves trading him, Antetokounmpo will likely request a trade to a contender. Here are four teams that could shake up the title landscape and bring in the “Greek Freak.”

New York Knicks​

Let’s start with the obvious — the Knicks. It’s been widely speculated that Antetokounmpo’s wish list includes New York. Mega-stars don’t often stay in small markets for their entire career. Milwaukee is no stranger to a franchise player wanting out. Kareem Abdul-Jabaar left the after requesting a trade in the summer of 1975. He was sent to the Lakers, which officially started the “Showtime Era” in Los Angeles.

The major markets make sense: bigger metropolitan areas, more fans, more sponsorship and entertainment opportunities, and so much more. Antetokounmpo is in his 13th season, all with the Bucks. It may be time for a change of scenery, and the bright lights of New York make sense. Antetokounmpo is once again near the top of MVP discussions, averaging 28.9 points per game, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists, and the Knicks may want in on his stardom.

The Knicks were openly frustrated with Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive performance during last season’s playoff run, and his salary ($53.1M) matches up almost perfectly with Antetokounmpo’s ($54.1M). He would be the centerpiece in this trade. He’s an offensive powerhouse who causes matchup problems across the league while averaging 22.5 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.

THE TRADE:​

Bucks receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride, three first-round picks

Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo

It can be reasonably assumed Milwaukee will likely send Giannis’s brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo in any trade and Miles McBride makes sense for Milwaukee. He’s a young point guard who can shoot and facilitate. McBride has become a fan favorite of Knicks fans, with his high energy style and ability to contribute whether he starts or comes off the bench. This season, he’s averaging 11.6 points per game, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Milwaukee gets two good pieces and three first-round picks to kickstart a rebuild.

Los Angeles Lakers​

This scenario will feel all too familiar for Bucks fans, but a move sending Antetokounmpo to the Western Conference may make sense. Especially considering the centerpiece in the trade from the Lakers side would be Austin Reaves.

Reaves has been shot out of a cannon this season. He’s been an ideal running mate for Luka Doncic, propelling the Lakers to a 17-6 record, second in the West. Reaves is averaging 28.4 points per game this season, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. Reaves is only 27 and just entering his prime. Any deal for the Bucks’ superstar would almost have to contain Austin Reaves.

The good for the Lakers would be Luka Doncic is finally able to get a physically dominant front court powerhouse, far unlike anything he’s ever played with before. The Luka-Giannis duo would have defenses scrambling for answers.

THE TRADE:​

Bucks receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, two first round picks

Lakers Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo

The Lakers get the Antetokounmpo brothers and the Bucks get their next star in Austin Reaves to pair with Myles Turner. The Bucks also receive solid bench depth and upgrade their guard rotation. The Lakers would likely need to attach a pick or two to get the deal done. Ultimately, the Lakers get a chance to pair two MVP-caliber players together and the Bucks jumpstart their mini-rebuild centered around Austin Reaves.

San Antonio Spurs​

San Antonio will be at the table in Giannis discussions because of their deep bag of assets in both young players and draft compensation.

The Spurs, by many accounts, are ahead of schedule in their rebuild around Victor Wembanyama. They currently sit at fifth in the Western Conference at 16-7, but only a game out of second. A blockbuster trade for Antetokounmpo could propel them to a clear second right behind Oklahoma City. The twin towers of Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo would cause major problems for the other 29 teams in the NBA, especially the Thunder. Chet Holmgren has taken a leap this year for Oklahoma City, but they would still be vastly undersized vs this San Antonio frontcourt.

THE TRADE:​

Bucks receive: Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Kelly Olynyk, Keldon Johnson, three first-round picks

Spurs receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis

This deal has the Bucks getting a young, scoring guard in Devin Vassell (15.7 points per game, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists) and a two-way forward in Keldon Johnson (13.0 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists). The Bucks also receive two expiring contracts in Harrison Barnes and Kelly Olynyk that could free up additional cap space in the summer.

The Spurs receive the Antetokounmpo brothers along with Bobby Portis, who has been in trade discussions for the past three seasons. Portis, averaging 11.4 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, will provide additional support for the already loaded San Antonio front court. This deal enters the Spurs into championship contention right now.

Oklahoma City Thunder​

Oklahoma City, sitting at 23-1 and the clear favorite to win the NBA championship this season, might not feel it necessary to trade for Antetokounmpo. But the Thunder have to be listed as a possible landing spot solely because they have a treasure chest of assets.

The Thunder have 27 picks through the 2032 draft. At this point, it’s just monopoly money. The rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the league’s MVP along with fellow All-Star Jalen Williams has propelled Oklahoma City to dominance. Add in pieces like Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, and Isaiah Hartenstein (among others), and the Thunder are ridiculously loaded. Most of their core is young, so the Thunder don’t necessarily need all the upcoming draft picks. It wouldn’t take much to sway the Bucks into pulling the trigger.

THE TRADE:​

Bucks receive: Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe, Ousmane Dieng, four first-round picks

Thunder receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis

If the Thunder have a weakness, it’s their frontcourt. This trade solves Oklahoma City’s size issue and puts them as a clear title favorite for the foreseeable future. The Bucks get a solid big man in return in Isaiah Hartenstein, averaging 12.2 points per game, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. They also receive two young core pieces in Isaiah Joe (12.9 points per game, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists) and Ousmane Dieg (3.9 points, 1.7 rebounds). The final two pieces are Alex Caruso, who can add experience and mentorship for the young guys in Milwaukee, and the haul of four first-round picks.

This trade still feels unlikely, given the Thunder’s success, but they can do just about anything they want.

Ball in Milwaukee’s Court​

There are other suitors for Giannis, namely Atlanta and Toronto, but Milwaukee might prefer to send him West, so they don’t have to see him dominate quite as often. There’s also a good chance Milwaukee doesn’t trade him at all, at least not until the summer. But there will be plenty of chatter until then.

The Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes are just heating up and there will be many calls into the Bucks’ front office. If they do decide to trade him, they’ll have options at how they want to rebuild. One thing is for sure though. Wherever Giannis Antetokounmpo goes, will substantially shake up the NBA title race, and who knows? Any potential suitor that doesn’t end up with Antetokounmpo could very well talk themselves into the Dallas Mavericks’ bargain-basement version of Antetokounmpo: Anthony Davis.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...prime-landing-spots-for-giannis-antetokounmpo

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Report: Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II’s season is over

It appears the 2025-26 basketball season is over after just seven games for third-year Dallas Mavericks’ center Dereck Lively II.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported late Wednesday morning that Lively will undergo a season-ending procedure on his right foot “to address lingering discomfort.”

The phrase “lingering discomfort” is an apt one, not just for the sensation pulsing through Lively’s right foot, but also for the general Mavs’ fan experience in 2025.

After playing 55 games in his rookie season, that number has decreased in each of the last two. The big man out of Duke played just 36 games last year, and now it’s fair to question whether Lively’s body will let him make the impact his potential shows he can over the course of an NBA career. He has now played in just 98 of 185 possible games through three seasons, averaging 8.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game.

The Mavericks had previously announced on Tuesday, Dec. 2, that Lively was experiencing swelling and discomfort in his surgically repaired foot and would be reevaluated in seven to 10 days. Two days later, the team released a statement saying that Lively would seek opinions from multiple physicians on next steps concerning discomfort and swelling in his right foot.

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II will undergo season-ending right foot procedure to address lingering discomfort, sources tell me and Tim MacMahon. Lively, who played 7 games this season, is expected to make a full recovery. pic.twitter.com/OWWnqnS1lD

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 10, 2025

Lively previously had surgery on his right foot in July, to clean out bone spurs, which followed a stress fracture in his right ankle that he dealt with last season. That stress fracture was identified by team staff after Lively ramped up his training regimen in an attempt to come back from an earlier injury, which was misidentified as an ankle sprain.

So, yeah, it’d be easy to view Lively’s continued struggle to get on the court as one more little parting gift from the Nico Harrison administration.

Lively missed nine games earlier this season with a sprained right knee. He returned for four games, playing on a minutes restriction in each of those four. He sat on the second night of a back-to-back set, a 102-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, with right knee injury management listed on the team injury report. That changed to “right foot injury management” for the next game, a 106-102 loss to the Miami Heat, on Nov. 24.

It all leads one to believe that the Mavericks’ staff either didn’t know enough about the injury or was trying to obfuscate because of the previous medical staff’s gross incompetence. So, either incompetence or incompetence in a different flavor.

Lively plays with such joy when he’s healthy and fully mobile. He’s so exciting to watch. It’s such a shame this is how his season is ending.

Don’t lose sight of the fact that Lively has just one more year on his 4-year, $22-million rookie contract. It remains to be seen how much the Mavericks will offer the center when he hits restricted free agency. Could his injury history lead the team to let Lively walk after next season, after two different sets of medical staff under Harrison failed him?

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...eck-lively-to-have-season-ending-foot-surgery

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

SB Nation: Mavericks and tanking

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Dallas Mavericks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Read these questions closely!

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/general/53561/sb-nation-mavericks-and-tanking

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks vs. Nets Preview: 3 good signs for Dallas against Brooklyn after five nights off

The Dallas Mavericks (9-16), winners of four of their last five games, welcome the Brooklyn Nets (6-17) to American Airlines Center on Friday after a full five days off since their last game. The Nets come into Dallas on the same five nights’ rest after winning three of their last four, including Saturday’s 119-111 win over the lowly New Orleans Pelicans. Michael Porter Jr. had a game-high 35 points and nine rebounds in that win and comes into the game averaging nearly 26 points and eight boards a night.

Cam Thomas, the Nets’ second-leading scorer (21.4 points per game) this year, is out for Friday’s game with a left hamstring injury.

Three of the Mavs’ four wins in their last five games have come against some of the top teams in the NBA this year. After barely getting by the Los Angeles Clippers, 114-110, on Nov. 29, Dallas rattled off wins against the Miami Heat, the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets, with an understandable, if not also somewhat deflating, blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in between. Brooklyn’s latest three wins, on the other hand, have come against the 4-16 Charlotte Hornets, the 5-16 Chicago Bulls and the 6-17 Pelicans.

Even if you believe the Mavericks’ latest run of success has been fool’s gold, their four latest wins have been far more convincing than the Nets’ have. Here are three more good omens for the Mavs’ continued success as they welcome the Nets to town.

Bad against bad, and good against bad​

The Mavs’ offense has found new life with Ryan Nembhard at starting point guard. They’re turning the ball over less and are running out to quick transition scoring opportunities as Cooper Flagg continues to bloom in his rookie season. Though they’re still 29th in the league in offensive rating (108.6), they look much better on offense in their last six games. It helps that the Nets bring to town with them just the 27th-best defensive rating (119.8) in the NBA. The new-look Mavs should have no problem scoring against the flimsy brand of defense the Nets have been playing this year.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn is equally bad on offense. The Nets rank just 23rd in the NBA in offensive rating (112.3), while the Mavs enter the game with the seventh-ranked defensive rating (112.3). If ever there was a tailor-made opponent for a struggling 9-16 team trying to keep its head above water, it’s these Brooklyn Nets without Thomas.

Gafford’s health progressing​

He may not ultimately be available for Friday’s game against the Nets, but Daniel Gafford is apparently making progress in his recovery from the ankle injury he re-aggravated in the win over the Heat last week. He was listed as doubtful to play against the Nets on Thursday’s 8:30 p.m. NBA injury report. The doubtful tag is an upgrade from his status for the last couple of games, and the additional “injury management” tag applied to his status bodes well in this case.

Both Gafford and Anthony Davis have been the subject of recent trade rumors. Davis, for his part, has been somewhere between solid and great in most of his games since returning from a calf injury that kept him out of 14 games earlier this season. Getting Gafford back soon would not only help the Mavs as they try to battle back from a lethargic start to the year — it would also help his perceived trade value, should the front office decide to tear it down and rebuild around Flagg and the Mavs’ young nucleus.

Flagg at full mast​

Both teams come into Friday’s game after five days off, but the rest may be particularly beneficial for Flagg, who has been listed on the team’s injury report for the past few games with a right thumb issue. He’s been playing in a splint in recent games and at times has favored driving to his left as a result. He’s ultimately played through whatever is ailing him, and he’s had some of his best games recently, including a 35-point, eight-rebound explosion against the Clippers, a 24-point, eight-rebound game against the Nuggets and a 22-point, six-rebound performance against the Heat, so credit to the youngster.

But he’s still just 18 (for 10 more days). He’s already played 24 games in less than two months, after playing 37 all season in his only year in the college ranks. The thumb is part of the wear and tear that comes with the relentless NBA schedule. Getting the kid a five-day breather by bowing out early in NBA Cup competition may be just what the thumb doctor ordered. It may also mean another big night against a vulnerable Nets defense on Friday.

How to watch​

Tipoff for the Mavericks’ game on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center. The game will air locally on KFAA Channel 29 and on several regional sister stations in the Mavericks’ viewing area. You can also watch the stream on MavsTV or on NBA League Pass.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...-cooper-flagg-anthony-davis-michael-porter-jr

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

MMBets Game of the Week: Dallas and Brooklyn look to stay hot

After a substantial stretch of having no games, the Dallas Mavericks are back in action tonight against the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets, who have also not played in almost a week, have actually won three out of their last four, with each of those wins coming by double digits. The Mavericks come in having won four of their last five, with each of their last three wins also coming by double digits.

It’s a battle between two middling teams who have gotten hot out of nowhere, so it’s time to throw the record books out and play ball! Before we get to the picks, lets recap last week’s game.

Last week’s results​

Oklahoma City 132, Dallas 111​

Tyler: 0-4 (-$400)

David: 1-3 (-$218)

Well, terribly sorry for our performance last week. In fairness to me, the Thunder (who I took -24.5) were up 30 with less than two minutes to go before allowing an 11-2 run to finish the game. That’s just nonsense. But alas, we can and we must be better!

Year to date:​

Tyler: 9-15 (-$502)

David: 11-12 (+$51)

Overall: 20-27 (-$451)

Being 2-10 in my last twelve picks is not a reality that I want to live in. The comeback starts now!

Game intangibles​

Brooklyn Nets (6-17) vs Dallas Mavericks (9-16)

Tipoff: 7:30p from the American Airlines Center in Dallas

How to watch: KFAA Channel 29 or NBA League Pass

Game odds as of 11:00a​

Odds provided by the FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Wager responsibly!​

Spread: Mavs -8.5 (-106)

Total: 221.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Brooklyn is +265 to pull the upset

David’s picks​

• Over 221.5 points (-110)
• Mavericks -8.5 (-106)
• Cooper Flagg to score 20+ points (+126)
• Terance Mann over 7.5 points (-106)

The Mavericks have had a full week off. They could either come out rusty or rested, and I am banking on the latter. Flagg has a great matchup as the nets can’t guard anyone and Dallas should kill this horrid Brooklyn squad. Terance Mann has played well against Dallas in his past, and he will be the forgotten piece on the Mavericks’ defense tonight, en route to a double digit performance.

Tyler’s picks​

• Anthony Davis to score 25+ points (+134)
• Brooklyn Nets +8.5 (-114)
• Cooper Flagg over 1.5 threes made (+176)
• Brandon Williams under 9.5 points (-128)

You should probably just fade me. After all, I am two for my last twelve. Unless I have used the time off to also work on my craft. I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...icks-game-preview-betting-fanduel-december-12

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Player Grades – Recapping the Mavericks’ 119-111 win over the Nets

The Dallas Mavericks returned from a five-day layoff on Friday to welcome the Brooklyn Nets to the American Airlines Center. Dallas continued their solid play and got themselves a 119-111 win, their fifth in the team’s last six games.

Let’s get to the grades!

Ryan Nembhard: D​

0 PTS / 2 REB / 5 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 21 MIN​

Nembhard’s magical run of efficient games came to an end against the Nets, at least for one night. He couldn’t find the bottom of the net while turning it over a shocking (based on his recent play) three times. He conceded minutes to Brandon Williams, who orchestrated the offense in the clutch.

Naji Marshall: B+​

17 PTS / 1 REB / 4 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 32 MIN​

Marshall looks like the coolest guy on the court at all times. He’s never rushed and never gets flustered. Marshall casually made a handful of impressive passes, including a nice one to Anthony Davis for an alley-oop slam. He cleverly slowed down on a fast break to draw a foul and a 3-point play in the third quarter. His variety of unconventional flip shots looked like a sure thing every time he put them up (6-for-9 from the floor). It as a very nice game during a very nice string of games.

Cooper Flagg: B+​

22 PTS / 5 REB / 8 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 34 MIN​

Flagg had a big first half before going quiet in the third quarter. It was almost as though he and Anthony Davis decided they’d spit the game down the middle. Flagg’s first half was an A+, but his second fell comparatively short. He didn’t play poorly in the second half; in fact, he responded well to more defensive attention by finding others and making the right play, as evidenced by his career-high assist total. Going 10-for-16 from the floor and avoiding any turnovers along the way were big pluses.

P.J. Washington: B​

13 PTS / 4 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 2 BLK – 25 MIN​

Washington was looking poised for a good night, but foul trouble saw him on the bench for long stretches. He did play a huge part in the closing minute, for better and worse. He drained two free throws, got a rebound off a Nets’ miss on the next play, was immediately fouled and then missed two free throws. Moments later, he tossed an inbounds pass right past Brandon Williams and out of bounds. Then he nailed two more free throws.

The closing minute was a microcosm of his night, with the good outweighing the bad overall. He also may have had the play of the game, recovering a blocked shot and initiating a fast break where he found Klay Thompson, who immediately fed him right back for an alley-oop. Washington then immediately intercepted the Nets’ inbound pass and dished to Thompson for a made three.

Anthony Davis: B​

24 PTS / 14 REB / 3 AST / 3 STL / 2 BLK – 33 MIN​

Davis did very little in the first half, then went off in the second half. While the preference would be a well-balanced game throughout, the final result was still pretty nice. His three turnovers and getting lit up by Michael Porter, Jr. on the perimeter on switches (which, in fairness, were disadvantageous to Davis by design) hurt his grade.

Max Christie: B+​

15 PTS / 6 REB / 3 AST / 2 STL / 2 BLK – 33 MIN​

Christie’s hot hand wore off as the night went on. He shot 5-for-13 overall, but still hit some big shots early in the game and connected on more threes than any other Maverick (four). His rebounding, assists, steals and blocks were all unexpected positives that filled out the stat sheet well. His pair of blocked shots (one of which looked like it came out of a video game) and awesome defense on a Michael Porter Jr. 3-point attempt late in the game also help his grade here.

Brandon Williams: B+​

9 PTS / 3 REB / 5 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 26 MIN​

Williams took the majority of the point guard minutes from the struggling Nembhard, and although his game wasn’t eye-popping, he played well and ran the offense effectively, putting pressure on the Nets’ defense with his speed and drives to the basket. He had a nice, if somewhat unassuming, game. He led the Mavs with a plus/minus of +14.

Klay Thompson: B​

12 PTS / 2 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 20 MIN​

4-for-9 overall and 3-for-7 from deep is a solid night for Thompson. It wasn’t his best game, but he made the most of limited minutes by knocking down shots and keeping the defense honest. He hit three 3-pointers, second only to Christie on the team. All three were needed in a game where the Mavs were outclassed from deep.

Final Thoughts​

The Mavs’ lack of perimeter defense showed itself again, following a nice stretch of games that saw them move into the league lead for defending the 3-ball. The Nets fired at will from deep on Friday, shooting 13-for-39 from 3-point range. Brooklyn shot better than 50% through three quarters. Had it not been for their hot hand going cold down the stretch, it’s difficult to envision things being as close or generally entertaining as they were. There were 20 lead changes and 10 ties before the fourth quarter began.

The game probably should not have been as close as it was, but getting outscored by 21 from beyond the arc tends to do that. The Mavs offset that deficiency with scoring in the paint, and in the end, outplayed Brooklyn in the clutch to close out another win.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...-cooper-flagg-anthony-davis-michael-porter-jr