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.
Mavericks Struggle Against Rockets: Offensive Woes and Injury Concerns Mount, Bigger Issue?
Jan 1, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (7) and center Alperen Sengun (28) attempt to steal the ball from Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina/Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Dallas Mavericks faced a tough loss against the Houston Rockets, highlighting some ongoing challenges for our team. Despite the Rockets missing key defenders like Amen Thompson and Tari Eason, they managed to stifle the Mavs’ offense effectively.
Kyrie Irving’s performance was particularly concerning. In 37 minutes of play, he only managed 16 points and 2 assists. The Rockets’ defensive strategy of double-teaming and trapping Irving proved successful, forcing other players to step up – a challenge the Mavs couldn’t overcome.
Dallas’ turnover issues were glaring, with 20 turnovers leading to 22 points for the Rockets. This has been a recurring problem, and it’s something the Mavs need to address urgently. The Rockets capitalized on these mistakes, turning their early 10-point lead into a 12-point deficit in the second quarter.
Injury Woes Continue
Adding to their struggles, P.J. Washington suffered a right knee sprain – the same injury that sidelined him earlier this season. This setback is particularly concerning given Washington’s importance to the Mavs. They’re now 1-6 in games where he doesn’t start, underscoring his value to the lineup.
The constant stream of injuries has been a major hurdle this season. They’ve rarely had their full roster available, which has hindered Dallas’ ability to build chemistry and consistency. While we know this team has great potential when healthy, these setbacks are testing their resilience.
Looking Ahead
Despite these challenges, it’s important to remember that the Mavs have shown flashes of brilliance when our key players are on the court together. The return of Dereck Lively II was a bright spot, contributing significantly in his limited minutes.
As they navigate this rough patch, they’ll need to focus on minimizing turnovers, adapting our offensive strategies when key players are heavily defended, and maintaining their defensive intensity. The upcoming games against Cleveland, Memphis, and the Lakers will be crucial in getting back on track.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Mavericks’ performance against the Rockets, tune into the Locked On Mavericks podcast for this and much more.
The Orlando Magic are giving a one-fingered salute to the universe
Dec 26, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) dunks during the second half against the Miami Heat at Kia Center. | Mike Watters/Imagn Images
The Orlando Magic will never stop.
Injuries have piled up like rush hour traffic near the Disney parks. Orlando’s three best offensive players — Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Mo Wagner — are all out, the first two with rare torn oblique injuries and the latter for the season with a torn ACL. They should be dead and buried, with the funeral service concluded long ago.
Instead, the Magic keep raging, sticking out their middle fingers to the basketball gods who seem determined to throw every obstacle imaginable in their path. They’re 3-3 in the six games since the elder Wagner’s injury (including the win in which he went down in the first quarter), pairing a defense that gets more ferocious after each blow with an offense that has cobbled together just enough points to keep things interesting.
Jalen Suggs has become the de facto number-one option, a role he is ill-suited for. Suggs is shooting 41% from the field and 31% from deep, but you’d never know fromthe 37% usage (a monstrous figure) he’s posted in the last six games. The Magic’s offense looks best when someone else can help him out. Rookie Tristan da Silva has been the unlikely second banana many nights — he’s had five games in his last eight of at least 15 points after only notching one such performance in his first 23. Consistency, unfortunately, is hard to find; da Silva also had two games in his last three where he scored exactly zero points.
But there are still plenty of reasons for concern.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Analysis Discover how Kyrie Irving uses a unique mental trick to enhance his game performance. (Mavs Moneyball)
Injury NBA fans are increasingly anxious about Luka Doncic’s absence as the Mavericks drop their third consecutive game. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Implications of Jaden Ivey’s Injury
Jan 1, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) grabs his leg as he falls to the court after being injured against the Orlando Magic in the fourth quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel/Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The start of 2025 in the NBA has been nothing short of chaotic, with injuries taking centre stage. Jaden Ivey’s injury is particularly concerning, as it appears to be quite serious. The Detroit Pistons guard was having a strong game with 22 points and five three-pointers before the unfortunate incident. The severity of the injury suggests that Ivey might be sidelined for the remainder of the season, which is a significant blow to the Pistons and fantasy managers alike.
Fantasy Implications of Ivey’s Injury
With Ivey potentially out for the season, the Pistons will need to adjust their lineup. Ausar Thompson is likely to see an increase in minutes and responsibilities. Thompson’s ability to contribute across various categories makes him a valuable pickup in fantasy leagues. While his shooting may be inconsistent, his defensive stats and hustle play could provide a much-needed boost to fantasy rosters.
Malik Beasley might also see an uptick in playing time, although his recent performances have been less than stellar. Beasley is primarily a points and threes contributor, and his role could expand in Ivey’s absence. For those in deeper leagues, Marcus Sasser could become a viable option, especially if Cade Cunningham faces any setbacks.
Click the button below to see who’s rising and falling on the Bulls and Wizards.
The Dallas Mavericks set New Year’s resolutions for 2025, aiming to level up and win an NBA title. What do Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and the Mavs need to do to achieve their goals?
The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Sacramento Kings in a game without Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson. How did the shorthanded Mavs perform against the struggling Kings in this NBA matchup?
With Dorian Finney-Smith headed to Los Angeles, who should the Mavs target for trades? Isaac Harris is back to talk about the trade of Dorian Finney-Smith and how a potential Mavs trade target changes the Mavs trade options. He talks about other names on the market that may or may not fit the Mavs, plus two new names he is watching on the trade market for the Mavs.
