Final: Mavs 122, Lakers 73
Box Score | Highlights
Behind the Box Score
The Mavs’ 34-point halftime lead was the third-biggest in franchise history, per Basketball-Reference. The 33 points the Lakers scored was the fewest total allowed by the club in the first half this season, and the 67 Dallas scored represented the highest total the team has tallied in any half in 2016-17.
Dirk Nowitzki hit a 3-pointer in the first half to move back into a tie with Cleveland’s J.R. Smith for 15th place on the all-time career made 3-pointers list. Smith is still active, of course, though he’s missed time this season due to injury, so it’s likely that those two will go back and forth in 15th for the rest of the season and into the future. Steph Curry is in 14th place, so it’s unlikely they’ll catch him any time soon at the rate he’s going.
The Mavericks have now defeated the Lakers 13 straight times. It’s the longest such streak Dallas has maintained against Los Angeles in the history of the series.
Harrison Barnes’ streak of 43 straight games in double-figures came to an end today, with Barnes tallying only six points on 3-of-12 shooting. It’s one of the longest streaks in NBA history for a player beginning his career with a new team, and the longest such run in Mavs franchise history. I don’t think Barnes will mind, much. He’s got a chance to start a new streak on Wednesday. (He’s also typically responded especially well after off shooting nights.)
Notebook
It’s a good thing when you build a lead strong enough to keep the starters’ minutes down in the fourth quarter. The Mavs haven’t had a coast-to-coast win like this one in a while. It was entertaining for the fans to watch and probably fun for the players, as well. After a close, thrilling OT game on Friday went to the Jazz, the Mavericks seemed to come out of the gates on fire today, a sign that the veterans on this team can bounce back from close, tough losses and play well the next time out. The Mavs will now look to carry over this momentum to Wednesday night when another storied NBA franchise, the Knicks, come to town.
Dirk Nowitzki put his 1-of-13 shooting night on Friday well behind him today, tallying 13 points on 5-of-11 from the field. The German usually doesn’t have two poor shooting nights in a row, so his bounce-back ought to have been expected. Every game he looks a hair faster, he moves a bit better, and his shot has a little more leg beneath it. Nowitzki appears to be returning to form after a sore Achilles slowed — and then sidelined — him to begin his 19th NBA season. The climb to 30,000 points continues.
Seth Curry can really play. He’s been on a month-long tear now, and today he continued his productive ways, putting up 14 points, two rebounds, and three assists. With J.J. Barea and now Wesley Matthews potentially out (read below for more on that), it means Curry could see even more action than he has as of late. With the way he’s playing, though, the Mavs can’t complain about Curry getting a bigger opportunity. Justin Anderson could see some more action, as well, as could Pierre Jackson, currently on a 10-day contract with the Mavs.
With J.J. Barea sidelined for potentially an extended period of time with a left calf strain — Rick Carlisle said it might have to wait until after the All-Star Game — the Mavs’ backcourt depth took a hit Friday night. To make matters worse, Wesley Matthews suffered a right hip strain in the second quarter of today’s game. Matthews earned his “Iron Man” nickname, so while the significance of his injury is unknown at this time, it’s safe to subtract a bit of time off simply because Matthews is such a tough dude. Stay tuned for updates on his status.
What’s Next
The Mavs (15-29) play the New York Knicks (19-26) on Wednesday at American Airlines Arena at 7:30 p.m. Central.
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