There have been tons of discussions locally and nationally about the Dallas Mavericks receiving Anthony Davis in last week’s
blockbuster trade which sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. But what about Max Christie – the other player the Mavs received in the deal?
It’s obviously very early to analyze the trade in its totality, but Christie appears to be the steal of that earth-shattering swap. Not only has the 6-5, 205-pound shooting guard hit the ground running by averaging 17.7 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and a gaudy 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from three-point land in his three games with the Mavs.
But, Christie has also proven to be a stalwart on the defensive end of the floor.
“He’s been great since we’ve gotten him,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “(We’re) putting him in different roles. He was playing well before the trade for the Lakers, so I think it’s just carried over.”
Christie was all over the place during Saturday’s 116-105 victory over the Houston Rockets. He finished that game with 23 points and was 5-of-10 from the field, 4-of-5 from downtown and 9-of-10 from the charity stripe.
What’s more, with the Rockets lurking, it was Christie who knocked down a cold-blooded three-pointer with 1:38 remaining to give the Mavs some much-
needed breathing room and a 109-100 lead. He also tallied seven of the final 10 points the Mavs scored.
“I was pretty comfortable,” said Christie, who is questionable for Monday’s game against Sacramento with a right shoulder strain. “That (game against the Rockets) was a lot of fun.
“The energy from the fan base was unbelievable from start to finish, so it was a lot of fun out there. We got a good win against a good Houston team, so I’m looking forward to trying to stack more wins like that.”
Since the two were in the starting lineup together with the Lakers, Davis obviously knows how productive Christie can be and how he commands respect from opposing head coaches.
“He’s playing really well,” Davis said. “I was talking to J-Kidd and he said he knew he was good, but what he’s been able to do in three games for us is phenomenal. I know what he can do and I’m glad that the Dallas fans have been able to see that.”
Christie has scored at least 15 points in each of his three games with the Mavs and has made at least five field goals in each of those games. In essence, he’s fit into the Mavs’ offensive scheme so seamlessly.
“I just think the offense is a little bit different (than the Lakers’ offense), obviously,” Christie said. “It’s very free-flowing. Guys are kind of just playing, and we’re playing off of each other really well.
“Everybody is kind of just playing to their game and using their game to their advantage. So, for me I’m just staying ready whenever I’m open – (shooting) threes or being able to attack the basket and get to the free throw line and finish layups.”
A second-round draft pick out of Michigan State three summers ago by the Lakers, Christie has proven that no stage is too big for him. A McDonald’s All-American and Illinois Player of the Year in high school out of Rolling Meadows, Ill, Christie played one year of college ball before 
becoming the 35th overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.
And in just three games with the Mavs, he’s shown that he’s a real keeper and the undisputed steal of last week’s trade.
“Max was great,” Kidd said of his performance against Houston. “For a 21-year old to have the maturity and the ability to step into a new situation, it just shows his character and who he is.”
Christie won’t be 21 years old for long. As of Monday, when the Mavs host the Sacramento Kings, that’s when he turns 22. And he already knows what he wants for his birthday.
“I’m looking forward to the next game,” Christie said. “The next game is on my birthday, so hopefully we can get a win. That’s all that matters.”
Here are the takeaways from the 11-point win over the Rockets.
DAVIS INTRODUCED HIMSELF RATHER QUICKLY: Power forward Anthony Davis didn’t waste time letting the Mavs’ fan
s and the city of Dallas know exactly who he is. A little over midway through the second quarter, Davis had already collected a double-double – 16 points and 10 rebounds. Davis exploded out of the gate and fired up the crowd in his Mavs’ debut while finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. He also was 10-of-18 from the field and 2-of-2 from three-point range in 31 workmanlike minutes.
SUPER BLOCK PARTY: A day before fans threw parties in preparation for the Super Bowl, the Mavs hosted a block party of their own. And a lot of their players got in on the fun. The Mavs finished the game against Houston with a franchise record 18 blocked shots. Daniel Gafford led the way with six blocks, Anthony Davis and P. J. Washington had three apiece, Kyrie Irving collected a pair of blocks, and Klay Thompson, Max Christie, Spencer Dinwiddie and Naji Marshall each had one block. The Mavs’ previous record for blocks in a game was 17 on Feb. 22, 2013.
BALL WAS HOPPING: It’s safe to say the basketball was hopping and the Mavs played at a much faster pace during Saturday’s game against the Rockets. Things went so well for the Mavs that they had 65 points at halftime. They likely would have gotten that many more points in the second half if not for a sprained right ankle suffered by P. J. Washington in the second quarter that finished his day, and a lower body injury suffered by Anthony Davis in the third quarter that sidelined him. The Mavs built a 21-point lead late in the second quarter because they pushed the pace and didn’t allow the Rockets to set up their defense. And instead of tossing up a bunch of three-pointers, the Mavs converted 22 of their 39 field goals from inside the paint, while also going 12-of-23 from behind the three-point line.
X: @DwainPrice
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