Nick Angstadt here, the host of the daily Locked On Mavericks podcast, with your daily Locked On Mavericks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Mavericks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
How Luka Doncic & the Mavs Checked Every Box in Win vs “Pelicans”
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) motions to his teammates as forward Naji Marshall (13) |Jerome Miron/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Mavericks Dominate Pelicans: A Night of High Scores and Key Returns
The Dallas Mavericks secured a commanding victory over the “New Orleans Pelicans,” showcasing their offensive prowess and strategic depth. With Luka Doncic back in action, the Mavericks delivered a 132-91 win, marking their highest-scoring quarter of the season with 44 points in the first quarter. This performance was not just a testament to their offensive capabilities but also highlighted the importance of point differential in the NBA Cup standings.
Luka Doncic’s Impactful Return
Luka Doncic’s return was a significant boost for the Mavericks. After sitting out a game against the Thunder, Doncic came back strong, contributing 26 points and five assists in under 30 minutes. His presence on the court was felt immediately, setting the tone with early steals and scores. Doncic’s ability to control the game and his improved physical condition were evident, suggesting that the brief rest may have been beneficial. His performance is crucial as the Mavericks aim to maintain their momentum for the NBA Season.
Klay Thompson Finds His Rhythm
Klay Thompson’s performance was another highlight of the game. Thompson, who has been in a shooting slump, found his rhythm, scoring 15 points and hitting five three-pointers. The Mavericks made a concerted effort to get Thompson involved early, and it paid off. His ability to stretch the floor and provide scoring from beyond the arc is vital for the Mavericks’ offensive strategy. Thompson’s resurgence is a promising sign for the team as they navigate the challenges of the NBA Cup.
The Pelicans, plagued by injuries, struggled to keep up with the Mavericks’ pace. Missing key players like Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum, the Pelicans relied heavily on Brandon Ingram, who faced constant defensive pressure. The Mavericks’ defense capitalized on this, forcing turnovers and limiting the Pelicans’ scoring opportunities.
The Mavericks’ defensive strategy was also on display, with players like Dereck Lively and P.J. Washington providing a solid backbone. Their ability to switch and cover the floor allowed the Mavericks to dominate defensively, particularly against a Pelicans team that lacked spacing and ball movement.
The victory not only boosts the Mavericks’ standing in the NBA Cup but also serves as a confidence builder as they continue to integrate new players and refine their strategies. With Doncic and Thompson performing at a high level, the Mavericks are well-positioned to make a strong push in the tournament.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Mavericks’ strategies and performances, tune into the Locked On Mavericks podcast for this and much more.
The streak had to end sometime. Even the 2015-2016 Warriors only (“only”) got to 24 wins to start their season. Ironically, they’d go on to lose the title to the Cavs that season.
That Cleveland lost to the Celtics, in TD Garden, without Isaac Okoro and with Darius Garland shooting 3-21 — well only the first half of that stings. If Garland made two more of those field goals the Cavs would’ve taken the game, and Okoro, out with an ankle sprain, will be back.
This game was a tester for the Cavs. Beyond a match against the defending champs and a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview, it was an opportunity to see how the team responded to pressure, unfavourable conditions and expectation. NBA basketball is about winning, we all know this refrain well, but that the Cavs scoring dried up in crucial stretches while the team also fell into bad habits of turning the ball over in momentum-leeching moments, and they still managed multiple runs to come back within two, speaks pretty well to this group’s ability to respond.
What makes the Celtics so good, and a bit like a dream-crushing machine, is their ability to capitalize on and invert what usually brings their opponents wins. In the Cavs case, it’s their speed. Not just pure speed without aim, but their ability to push the pace within their offensive possessions because not one player tends to move in isolation from anyone else. Their lightning quick passing, their flashing cuts and counter-cuts, it’s all predicated on ball movement capitalizing on intuitive communication. A sixth sense of understanding where their teammates are on the floor at any given moment.
Boston was able to jam that up. Not entirely upend it, but chase with pace of their own enough that Garland at times appeared to be the pursued and not the pursuer. Where Garland rushed an offensive possession, where he went in for a fastbreak ISO drive to wrest the pace of the game back into his team’s hands, he bungled it. He’d botch an easy layup and go careening past the baseline, having to expend more energy to get back down the floor in the transition already underway. And the more he botched it, the faster he went. The Celtics saw this and upped the pressure on him, taking advantage of forced turnovers by draining three after three and all but eliminating a huge component of what’s made the Cavs so formidable — their rebounding.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis How the Cavaliers’ offseason plan has turned them into the top team in the league so far this year. (ESPN)
Milestone Russell Westbrook becomes the first player in NBA history to record 200 triple-doubles. (CBS Sports)
Must Read The NBA’s three-point revolution has gotten extreme, begging the question: How many is too many?(The Washington Post)
Replay The Mavericks dominated the Pelicans 132-91 in their NBA Cup matchup. Check out the player grades to see how Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving performed. (Mavs Moneyball)
Stat The Mavericks’ 132-91 victory showcased key numbers, including Luka Dončić's efficiency. Explore the six key stats that defined the game. (Mavs Moneyball)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Can Dalton Knecht Keep Up This Run?
Nov 19, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) react after scoring a three point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images|Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Dalton Knecht has recently become a focal point in NBA fantasy discussions, thanks to his electrifying performances on the court. In a standout game, Knecht scored 37 points, including nine three-pointers, with an impressive 75% shooting accuracy. This remarkable display has fantasy managers buzzing, as Knecht’s shooting streak positions him as a valuable asset in leagues.
Knecht’s Shooting Streak: A Fantasy Goldmine
Over the past four games, Knecht has been on a tear, shooting 22 of 33 from beyond the arc, equating to a 67% success rate. Such efficiency is rare and highlights his potential as a sharpshooter. For fantasy managers, Knecht is a must-add player, especially given his current role in the Lakers’ starting lineup. However, while his shooting spree is impressive, it’s important to manage expectations, as maintaining such a high percentage is challenging over the long term.
Injury Updates and Their Impact on Fantasy Rosters
Knecht’s rise comes at a time when injuries are shaking up NBA rosters. Norman Powell’s hamstring injury, for instance, has left a gap in the Clippers’ lineup. With Powell likely sidelined for at least a week, players like Kris Dunn and Amir Coffey might see increased roles, offering potential value for fantasy managers seeking replacements.
Click the button below to get updates on Zach Edey’s ankle injury, and how Bradley Beal’s calf continues to cause problems for fantasy managers
The Dallas Mavericks secured a significant victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, showcasing their potential even without Luka Doncic. This episode explores the dynamics of the Mavs’ gameplay, focusing on key players like Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and the overall NBA landscape.
Join Nick Angstadt and his co-host as they break down the game, discussing the impact of players like Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, and Naji Marshall. The episode delves into the strategies that led to the Mavs’ success and highlights the challenges faced the Thunder. Tune in to hear insights on how the Dallas Mavericks managed to pull off this impressive win.
The Dallas Mavericks secured a victory against the San Antonio Spurs, showcasing the talents of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Despite a slow start, the Mavs managed to pull through, with notable performances from Daniel Gafford and a strong third quarter. The episode also touches on the impact of NBA stars like Klay Thompson and the dynamics of the Mavericks’ rotation.
