Naji Marshall brought out the whole package for the Dallas Mavericks during Monday’s 134-127 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
The five-year veteran forward scored a season-high 20 points. He also collected five rebounds and distributed a season-high six assists.
“I was just getting more and more comfortable,” said Marshall, who was on the court for a season-high 34 minutes. “Guys put me in the right position to be at my best. I was playing with energy.”
The scoring total by Marshall is his best since Jan. 7, 2023, when he tallied 24 points against the Mavs while he was with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Marshall entered Monday’s game 0-of-9 from behind the three-point line this season. He nailed both of his three-point attempts against the Pacers, and looked upward after making his first triple.
“I worked so hard, man, and it just finally went in,” Marshall said. “Thank you, God.”
Last year with the Pelicans, Marshall shot a career-high 38.7 percent from downtown. He was hoping that would transfer over into this season.
“I work on my game every day,” Marshall said. “I go to the gym in the morning and at nighttime. I had my best career shooting from three last year, so I’m building on that.
“My shots weren’t falling early, but that’s OK. We’ve got a long season ahead of us. So, go back and work on it, work on my game tomorrow and be ready to play 
(Wednesday against Chicago).”
Overall against the Pacers, Marshall was an exceptional 8-of-9 from the field. Coach Jason Kidd said: “I thought Marshall did a great job coming off the bench and giving us a spark.”
Kidd thought so highly of Marshall’s play that he had him on the floor to start the second half. And there were many times when it was Marshall who was bringing the ball up the court and initiating the offense.
“(I was) bringing energy on the defensive end, crashing the glass,” he said. “I don’t have to request the pass or run hard to get it. I can just push it right there.”
As far as those slow starts that have become commonplace with the Mavs this season, Marshall said: “I think we just got to bring it. It’s up to us. I think we just got to not talk about it, but do it.
“Like I said, it’s seven games (into the season). We’re still getting acquainted and figuring things out. As we see, that’s what we got to nip in the bud early in the season right about now.”
Here are the takeaways from the seven-point loss to the Pacers.
HOME SWEET HOME FOR TURNER: Pacers center Myles Turner seems to have something extra special in his bag whenever he plays the Mavs. In two games against Dallas last season, Turner was 17-of-29 from the field and scored 53 points to go along with12 rebounds. On Monday, the 2014 Euless Trinity High School graduate had 30 points and 11 boards, and was 10-of-17 from the field, including 5-of-8 from beyond the three-point arc.
PACERS PICKED UP THE PACE: No one will ever accuse the Pacers of walking the ball up the court. Or of getting whistled for an eight-second backcourt violation. They don’t roll like that. In the Pacers’ world it is as if they’re on the Indianapolis Speedway, hellbent on trying to break another record for the fastest whatever. On Monday, Indiana kept beating the Mavs up the floor and finding themselves with one layup after another. The Pacers outscored the Mavs in the paint, 76-58.
NO MORE SLUMP FOR HALIBURTON: Whatever shooting slump the masses thought Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was in, well that’s apparently over. Haliburton tallied a season-high 25 points, dispensed a season-high tying 12 assists and picked up two steals in the victory over the Mavs. More importantly, he was an impressive 10-of-16 from the field. That’s the most field goals he’s made in a game this season, while the 62.5 shooting percentage is his highest of the season.
X: @DwainPrice
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