Here are my 5 takeaways from the Dallas Mavericks’ 140-136 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night at American Airlines Center:
1. SMITH WITH THE GAME-WINNER: Dennis Smith Jr. shook off a rough start Saturday and wound up being the hero at the end. With the score knotted at 134, Smith nailed a 21-footer with just 6.1 seconds left to put the Mavs ahead for keeps. He also was fouled on the play and made that free throw and three other free throws to help seal the victory for the Mavs in their home opener. Smith had six points and three fouls in the first half, but came to life in the second half and finished the game with 19 points, six assists and only one turnover in 26 minutes. Smith also was 6-of-8 from 2-point range and 1-of-6 from 3-point territory. More than anything, Smith often maneuvered around the basket for more than his share of contested layups.
2. THE CROWD WAS ON-POINT: The sellout crowd at American Airlines Center probably went home unable to talk after all that screaming they did Saturday night. The crowd was loud and proud and very much into the game. It sounded like the old days at Reunion Arena – and the young days at AAC – when Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley and Steve Nash were mere babies and trying to lead the Mavs to basketball prominence. The fans even serenaded Timberwolves forward Jimmy Butler, who didn’t play in the game due to “precautionary rest,” because this was Minnesota’s third game in four days. That mattered not to the fans, who shouted “Jim-my But-ler, Jim-my But-ler,” every time one of the Timberwolves attempted a free throw.
3. DWIGHT POWELL STRIKES AGAIN: After scoring a team-high 16 points – on 6-of-8 shots — and grabbing five rebounds in only 17 minutes during Wednesday’s season-opener against the Phoenix Suns, Powell was even more prolific against the Timberwolves. The five-year veteran finished Saturday’s game with 19 points – he was 6-of-7 from the floor – and six rebounds in just 17 minutes. The Mavs got off to another ugly start, falling behind 24-9 with 6:34 remaining in the first quarter. But Powell led the Mavs’ bench brigade, scoring eight points in the first quarter and three more in the second quarter as the Mavs and Timberwolves ended the first half tied at 69 apiece. The Mavs benefitted from Powell’s activity at both ends of the court.
4. DOUBLE-DOUBLE IS DEANDRE’S THING: Once again, center DeAndre Jordan proved that he will indeed be a major factor this season no matter whether he’s playing on offense or on defense. Jordan was all over the place Saturday as he filled up the stat sheet and completed the night with 22 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and two steals. Four of Jordan’s blocks came in the third quarter when the Mavs held Minnesota to 7-of-18 shooting. And two of those blocks were on shots attempted by Taj Gibson. In fact, when Karl-Anthony Towns wheeled and tossed up a hook shot over Dorian Finney-Smith, Jordan appeared out of nowhere and blocked the shot, much to the chagrin of Towns. By the way, Jordan had 11 points and 12 rebounds in the opener against Phoenix.
5. LIVING DOWNTOWN SOMETIMES AIN’T EASY: We knew this day would come, and here has arrived. Believe it or not, the Mavs attempted more 3-point shots against Minnesota than 2-point shots. The Mavs were 32-of-48 from 2-point range for 66.6 percent, and 17-of-50 from 3-point range for 34 percent. The 50 attempts from downtown are the most Dallas has ever attempted in a game. And it would be no surprise if they break that record at some point this season since the plan is to push the ball more, dribble less and fire up as many shots as possible. Nine of the 10 Mavs who played made at least one 3-pointer. The only Mavs player who didn’t make a 3-pointer was — you guessed it — center DeAndre Jordan. But Jordan is only 1-of-11 on three’s in his entire 11-year career.
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