LOS ANGELES – One way for the Mavericks to get their fair share of rebounds is to find a way to keep rookie center Dereck Lively II on the floor.
During Monday’s come-from-behind 125-120 electrifying victory over New Orleans, the Pelicans’ impressive front line of Zion Williamson (one), Brandon Ingram (five) and Jonas Valanciunas (six) combined to grab a total of 12 rebounds. On the flip side, Lively muscled his way inside for 12 rebounds – by himself.
And in a much deeper dive, the aforementioned New Orleans trio collectively finished the game with four offensive rebounds. However, not only did Lively collect seven offensive rebounds, the entire Pelicans’ squad picked up just eight offensive rebounds.
In other words, Lively was the chairman of the boards against one of the most effective front lines in the NBA.
“He was huge, especially late (in the) game,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “I believe that they got a couple of offensive rebounds and that led to kick out for threes that were momentum changers.”
Green was referring to two offensive rebounds Lively nabbed that resulted into a pair of three-point baskets by Tim Hardaway Jr. and put the Mavs ahead for keeps at 112-111 with 4:16 remaining in the game.
“It shifted the momentum for sure,” Green said. “That’s what (Lively) does. He can come into the game and impact the game with his screening, his dive ability, and then with his rebounding. That’s what he did (Monday).
“He rebounded the ball and came up with timely rebounds. And then to have the awareness to catch the ball and kick it back out, that changed the game for us.”
The Mavs are hoping Lively will be at his rebounding best again on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. when they square off against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypton.com Arena.
*This is the opener of a brief two-game trip for the Mavs. It concludes with Friday’s game in San Francisco against the Golden State Warriors before the Mavs return home to host the Boston Celtics on Monday.
*For the Lakers, this is the second game of a four-game home stand. The home stand started with Monday’s 112-105 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder behind 27 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and two steals from Anthony Davis. The Lakers will entertain Brooklyn on Friday and Portland on Sunday before “traveling” across the hall for a “road” game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
*Mavs guard Luka Doncic (right ankle sprain) is questionable for Wednesday’s game. Forward Dante Exum (right plantar sprain) will miss Wednesday’s game, while Dereck Lively II (calf) and Grant Williams (right ankle sprain) are listed as probable.
*The Lakers are led by Anthony Davis (25.1 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg), LeBron James (24.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 7.5 apg), D’Angelo Russell (15.4 ppg, 6.1 apg) and Austin Reaves 15.1 ppg, 5.2 apg).
*Luka Doncic (33.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 9.1 apg) leads the Mavs, followed by Kyrie Irving (25.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.4 apg), Tim Hardaway Jr. (18.3 ppg) and Derrick Jones Jr. (10.6 ppg).
*The Mavs are 2-0 against the Lakers this season. Behind 30 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists from Luka Doncic, the Mavs beat the Lakers in LA, 104-101, on Nov. 22. The Mavs also clipped the Lakers in Dallas, 127-125, on Dec. 12 behind 33 points, six rebounds and 17 assists from Doncic.
DALLAS MAVERICKS (24-17) at LOS ANGELES LAKERS (20-21)
When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
TV: BSSW, ABC
Radio: 97.1 FM The Freak; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)
X: @DwainPrice
Share and comment