As the Mavericks moved to 2-1 with their 116-106 victory over Houston in the home opener, they did so with a feelgood night in front of a sold-out American Airlines Center.
Here’s our takeaways from that uplifting evening:
GETTING DEFENSIVE: The Mavericks were not doing great in any aspect of the game for the first half. That changed at the beginning of the third quarter. And it was clearly rooted in an upgraded defense. “There was a three or four-minute stretch there to start the third and we held them scoreless,” coach Jason Kidd said. “Everybody talks about offensive runs, but we’re talking about defensive runs – how many can we have in a game and how long can we maintain those. And that third quarter, I thought our defense was very good.” The Mavericks were down 60-57 at halftime, then scored the first 13 points of the third quarter and were never headed. The Rockets started the half with five turnovers and five missed shots in the first four minutes and they were done for. One word of advice, however: it will take more than a four-minute spurt of great defense when the Mavericks start seeing better teams down the line.
CENTERS BRINGING IT: If you look at the position liberally, the Mavericks have as many as six people on the roster who can play center. All of them have already done something to earn their keep. Against the Rockets, it was Boban Marjanović and Moses Brown, the only two Mavericks who had not played on the two-game trip to start the season, who showed up big. Boban provided big first-half minutes and finished with 11 points while Brown had three points and two big blocks in just three third-quarter minutes. Stacking them behind Kristaps Porzingis, Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber and Willie Cauley-Stein gives the Mavericks great depth on the front line.
STROKE OF GENIUS: The idea of playing all 15 players in the home opener was a bold stroke by Kidd. Had the Mavericks lost, it could have been a counterproductive talking point. But as it turned out, it was an awesome team-building moment. And it may pay dividends down the road. Kidd won’t be able to play everybody very often. But the players know now that it’s possible and a game like Tuesday may help keep everybody on their toes by being ready because you never know when Kidd might trot out another all-in sort of game.
SHOOTING EYES BLURRY: Thank goodness for Tim Hardaway Jr. Without him, the Mavericks’ 3-point shooting would be really depressing. As it is, it’s not exactly anything to be happy about. The five players who have started all three games are a combined 22-of-80 (27.5 percent). Take away Hardaway and the other four starters are 11-of-56 (19.6 percent). Fortunately, this is a three-game sample size and nothing to get worked up about yet. And at least the bench, led by Jalen Brunson and Maxi Kleber) is a much more respectable 17-of-48 (35.4 percent). As a whole: 30.5 percent.
COMING ALIVE: Reggie Bullock had his best game as a Maverick with 16 points that included 4-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. “That’s what I was brought here to do,” he said. “Make shots and play defense.” Next up, hopefully, is Sterling Brown, who has had a cold shooting start to his Mavericks’ career (1-of-10).
Twitter: @ESefko
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