The Mavericks’ biggest comeback of the season probably doesn’t happen without some timely contributions from Josh Green.
The second-year swingman from Australia was part of the bench crew that sparked the rally from 21 points behind Sunday night against Golden State as the Mavericks stole a 107-101 victory from the Warriors.
When Green started the fourth quarter, with a lineup that featured Dorian Finney-Smith as the center, something clicked. The Mavericks were down 93-74 early in the period. Then, they roared to life, scoring 19 of the next 20 points.
Green had six points in the span of one minute to get the Mavericks jump-started. Then he and Spencer Dinwiddie kept the ball rolling in a remarkable momentum switch in a game that had appeared to be a goner for the longest time for the Mavericks.
“He was a big spark,” coach Jason Kidd said of Green. “He was a big part of that energy, that group that was out there, being able to get to the basket, coming up with the 50-50 balls. His energy and defense was really, really good for us in that second half and he was part of that group that sparked us.”
For just over six minutes, it all happened with Luka Dončić on the bench. The Mavericks revved up the offense and got tougher on defense. And the Warriors couldn’t find a way to score.
Green’s allure coming into the league was his potential to be a 3-and-D specialist. But it’s clear many folks underestimated his athleticism and ability to create. He slithered through the Warriors’ top-rated defense for all three of his buckets. His penetration not only worked for him, but opened up space for Dinwiddie.
“Josh knows how to play the game, especially off the ball,” said Finney-Smith. “He knows when to cut, he’s a great passer and he did a great job on Steph when Reggie was out, so you got to take off your hat for that. That’s a tough job to do.”
It was the sort of showing that Kidd can put in the vault and hang onto, a potential weapon when playoff time comes around. Smaller lineups have some inherent complications (rebounding, for one), but the Mavericks needed a change of pace in a game that was very nearly out of control.
The small lineup gave it to them.
“The group without Luka on the floor was a positive,” Kidd said. “Spencer was big for us. That group when we went small with Dorian at the five really gave us a chance to win.”
Hardaway pitching in: While he is many weeks from being able to return from foot surgery, Tim Hardaway Jr. has been traveling with the team and doing whatever he can to help his teammates ant he coaching staff.
That includes being on the bench while wearing a walking boot and calling out opponents’ defenses or play sets.
“I think it’s important,” Kidd said. “Sometimes when you’re hurt to stay home (you get) disconnected from the team and I think it’s important for him to be connected with the team because it’s another set of eyes for us on the bench – he can be a coach.
“Even though he’s not in uniform, and he’s a little ways from being in uniform, I’ve heard him I’ve heard him in timeouts and during games. His voice, our guys respect him and he’s trying to help. That’s what a teammate does, doing everything possible to give us that advantage. We need that, especially because I don’t spend a lot of time that far down (the bench). So I’m in good hands if he’s helping.”
College visit: Kidd spent part of Saturday taking in the Cal-Stanford basketball game. He spent his college years at Cal.
He said that while the program isn’t where they want it to be at the moment, he’s seeing some very positive signs.
“Their defense was incredible last night,” Kidd said. “I thought it was a great turnout against Stanford. We’re not where we want to be right now, but . . . we’ll get there. Anytime you can beat Stanford, it’s always good.”
Kidd also stopped by the Cal baseball diamond to visit with a couple of old friends.
Something in reserve: The Golden State Warriors are one of the favorites in the Western Conference, along with Phoenix.
The Warriors are hoping they have a weapon returning soon that could be a major difference-maker down the stretch and in the playoffs.
Center James Wiseman was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2020. He missed most of his rookie season, including the final 19 games after suffering a meniscus tear in his right knee. He has spent all of this season recovering.
That rehab is close to ending. The 7-footer practiced last week with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G-League and was recalled on Sunday. Coach Steve Kerr said Wiseman will travel with the Warriors on their upcoming four-game road trip that goes through Dallas and also includes a make-up game against Denver that was postponed because of COVID-19 concerns.
The Warriors, Kerr said, are in no hurry to get Wiseman into games.
“The only thought is what’s going to happen today, is he going to scrimmage, how he’s feeling, what’s he doing in the weight room,” Kerr said. “And is he progressing. And the good news is over the last few weeks, he’s really progressed and ramped it up.
“As we get to see more and more of him and he gets closer to being able to play, we’ll give that (getting him integrated into the rotation) some thought.”
Wiseman averaged 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 21 minutes per game as a rookie.
The Warriors are hoping he can provide rim protection and athleticism, assets that they are short on without him.
Briefly: The Warriors were without Klay Thompson, who is dealing with a non-COVID-19 illness . . . The Mavericks had a short bench with Marquese Chriss (right knee), Trey Burke (left shoulder), Frank Ntilikina (right ankle), Tim Hardaway Jr. (left foot surgery) and Theo Pinson (finger fracture) all out.
Twitter: @ESefko
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