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.
Missed Goaltending Call Costs Dallas Mavericks a Win
Jan 15, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson looks down after loosing the ball later in the fourth quarter to the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
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
Jan 4, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) greets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) before a game at Frost Bank Center. | Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
I only get to write this column once per week, so while we’re still technically a game or two short of the halfway marker for most teams, I’m here with some second-quarter awards anyway!
These are honors for the second quarter and second quarter only; they aren’t predictive. Word count limitations mean I have no margin for a longer introduction. You get it.
Interior Defensive Player of the Quarter
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
When it comes to analyzing defense, it isn’t fair to lump wings and guards with bigs; it’s like comparing a sports car to a heavy-duty pickup truck when you can only buy one vehicle. Instead, I split Defensive Player of the Quarter into interior and perimeter editions.
My Interior Defensive Player of the Quarter won’t shock: it’s Victor Wembanyama. I could throw a bunch of advanced analytics at you to prove the case, but instead, I’d ask that you join me in prayer: Holy mother of basketballs, protect your children from the harm Wembanyama inflicts upon them.
Ok, fine, here’s one fun, if basic, number. In the season’s second quarter, Wemby had an outrageous 69 blocks. That’s 30 more than second-place Myles Turner, despite the fact that Turner played in three more games. Let’s not waste time here.
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.
Trade As the trade deadline approaches, the Mavs are evaluating both dream and realistic targets to bolster their roster. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis The 2021 NBA re-draft sees a shift in player valuations, with Franz Wagner and Evan Mobley challenging Cade Cunningham for the top spot. Assess the new rankings and implications for the Mavericks. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Nick Richards Traded to Phoenix Suns: Fantasy Basketball Impact and Analysis
Jan 12, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns have acquired center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets in a trade that sent shockwaves through the NBA. While not a blockbuster deal, this move has significant implications for fantasy basketball managers.
In exchange for Richards, the Hornets received Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, while the Suns also got a second-round pick in return. At first glance, it might seem like the Suns got a steal, but let’s take a closer look at what this means for Richards’ fantasy value.
Richards has been averaging 21 minutes per game this season, putting up 9 points and 7.5 rebounds with 1.2 blocks. These numbers have him ranked 205th in category leagues, which is far from impressive. However, the change of scenery could potentially boost his value.
The Dallas Mavericks suffered a controversial loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in a game marred by a missed goaltending call. How did the Mavs respond without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and what impact did the officiating have on the NBA game’s outcome?
The Dallas Mavericks are searching for their next elite defender to complement Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Can the Mavs find a hidden gem like they did with Derrick Jones Jr. last season to bolster their NBA championship aspirations?
The Dallas Mavericks suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Denver Nuggets despite building a 19-point lead. How did the Mavs, playing without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, manage to compete against a healthy Nuggets squad featuring Nikola Jokic?
