The Dallas Mavericks suffered a gut-wrenching 119-116 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in a game marred by a controversial no-call in the final seconds. With the Mavericks down by one and time running out, Spencer Dinwiddie drove to the basket for a potential game-winning layup. The shot was blocked by a Pelicans defender, but replays clearly showed the ball had already hit the backboard – a textbook goaltending violation.
Despite the obvious infraction, the referees made no call, and the Mavericks were unable to challenge the play due to the lack of a whistle. The no-call effectively ended the game, leaving the Mavericks and their fans stunned and frustrated.
Head coach Jason Kidd didn’t mince words in his post-game comments, stating, “They didn’t see it. That’s the explanation. They didn’t see it. They didn’t do their job.” Kidd went on to say, “I think the referees were scared to death to do anything, so they did nothing.”
Late-Game Execution Woes
While the missed call was undoubtedly the most glaring issue, the Mavericks’ late-game execution left much to be desired. With a seven-point lead and just over five minutes remaining, the offense became stagnant, relying heavily on isolation plays and contested jumpers.
Dinwiddie, in particular, struggled to create quality looks down the stretch, often dribbling out the shot clock before settling for difficult shots. The lack of ball movement and failure to involve Daniel Gafford, who had a monster game with 27 points and 12 rebounds, was particularly puzzling.
Gafford’s Breakout Performance
Despite the disappointing outcome, Gafford’s dominant performance was a bright spot for the Mavericks. The big man showcased his athleticism and finishing ability, converting 12 of 13 field goal attempts. His energy and activity around the rim provided a much-needed spark for a Mavericks team playing without stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Mavericks’ loss to the Pelicans, tune into the Locked On Mavericks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Mavericks Podcast:
• Jaden Hardy’s impressive first-half performance
• The Mavericks’ defensive struggles against a short-handed Pelicans team
• Upcoming challenging stretch in the Mavericks’ schedule
