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.
Why to Hold, Not Fold, on the Dallas Mavericks
Jan 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) celebrates during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Dallas Mavericks are at a crossroads halfway through the NBA season. After a tough loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, marred by a controversial non-call, it’s time to assess where the team stands and what lies ahead.
The NBA’s Last Two-Minute Report confirmed what Mavs fans already knew – the block by Trey Murphy on Spencer Dinwiddie’s shot should have been called a goaltend. While this validation doesn’t change the outcome, it adds to the frustration of a season plagued by injuries and close losses.
Despite the setbacks, there’s reason for optimism. The Mavericks’ core players – Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively, and PJ Washington – are not out for the season. This is crucial, as these four are the pillars around which the team’s success is built. The vibes within the team remain positive, with no reports of internal strife or discontent.
Looking at the Western Conference, outside of the Oklahoma City Thunder, no team seems particularly intimidating. If the Mavericks can get healthy, they have a legitimate shot at making noise in the playoffs.
It’s important to remember that this team is built around Luka Doncic’s unique talents. The supporting cast was assembled to complement his heliocentric style of play. When Doncic and Irving are out, it’s unfair to expect role players to suddenly become primary playmakers and scorers.
As we enter the second half of the season, I’m in a “hold” pattern with my expectations for the Mavericks. I’m not folding on this team’s potential, but I’m also not going all-in on championship predictions. The key will be getting healthy and finding rhythm before the playoffs.
The Mavericks have a tough test coming up against the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder. How they perform in this game could be a good indicator of where they stand among the West’s elite.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Mavericks’ midseason outlook, tune into the Locked On Mavericks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Mavericks Podcast:
• Analysis of the NBA’s Last Two-Minute Report system
• Comparison of the Mavericks’ supporting cast to other contenders
• Discussion on Jason Kidd’s coaching strengths and weaknesses
Jan 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives for a shot past Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. | Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the rest of the NBA season could just be various instances spent listening to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go WOOOO to varying decibels and degrees of excitement? It would be, to borrow from a master gone too soon, Lynchian.
If not that, then to watch the Thunder and Cavaliers play each other, over and over, until April 13th. I suspect we still wouldn’t have our fill of these two teams but don’t fret, we’d have a riveting seven game series. Each game a competitive and tight feast for the eyes.
To really get an understanding of how, though relentless pressuring and seamless switching, the Thunder have run away with the first overall defensive rating. That even against a team like Cleveland who pride themselves on the way they’re able to take care of the ball, and their communication skills, OKC can pluck the ball out of the hands of an opponent on a fastbreak, a drive, as if they were walking right up to a kid and taking candy from their hands.
Of course, this all makes it sound like watching these two teams in perpetuity is going to look heavily lopsided for the Thunder. The matchup last night was a wallop for the West, for sure, but Cleveland showed why they’ve been coolly leading the East and the entire league. Rainbow threes from Mitchell, light lobs over the heads of every Thunder player — just then upturned to watch — between Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, and fadeaway shots from the corner care of Max Strus.
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.
Preview What a difference 38 days can make. The Mavericks face off against the Thunder, and recent performances hint at significant changes in team dynamics. Read the full preview to see what’s in store. (Mavs Moneyball)
Must Read The Mavs can’t keep expecting Klay Thompson to be a superstar shooter. (The Smoking Cuban)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball News Roundup: The Tanking In Utah
Jan 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) looks on against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale/Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers are taking tanking to a whole new level. The Jazz have been sitting players like John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kessler for various reasons. While I understand the incentives for tanking, the odds of getting the number one pick are not high. The NBA has been cracking down on teams resting healthy players, but these two franchises seem to be pushing the boundaries.
As a fantasy analyst, I’ve been advising people to avoid high picks from these teams due to the risk of shutdowns and reduced playing time. It’s frustrating to see this level of blatant tanking, especially when it impacts fantasy basketball managers.
The Memphis Grizzlies are another team to watch, with Ja Morant constantly appearing on the injury report. While they’re not tanking like Utah and Portland, Morant’s frequent injuries are concerning for fantasy managers.
In other news, Donte DiVincenzo is out with a toe sprain for the Knicks, which could lead to increased minutes for Mike Conley. However, I wouldn’t rush to add Conley in most leagues.
The Dallas Mavericks secured a crucial victory against the OKC Thunder in a high-intensity matchup. Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, and the Mavs showcased their resilience and teamwork to overcome a tough opponent in the NBA.
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?
