Final: Spurs 94, Mavs 87
Box Score | Highlights
Behind the Box Score
Dallas launched a huge 15-0 run in the third quarter, using some hot shooting and terrific team defense to turn a 12-point deficit into a Mavs lead. The Mavericks shot better than 50 percent in the frame while the Spurs shot under 40, with the points per possession advantage going to Dallas, 1.130 to 0.783.
The Mavs limited the Spurs to just 0.88 points per halfcourt possession in the first quarter, per Mavs analytics, but still trailed 21-17 at the end of the frame because of turnovers and second chances. Dallas gave it away five times in the frame and allowed the Spurs a total of eight points off of fast breaks and offensive rebounds. Conversely, Dallas scored five second-chance points but none on the fast break. In many ways, offensive execution can help your defense — avoiding giveaways limits fast breaks and increases your chances of scoring.
Notebook
Wesley Matthews has been scorching lately (which you already knew) and he continued his red-hot run tonight, scoring a game-high 26 points on 8-of-19 shooting, including knocking down five more 3-pointers. This little roll he’s been on isn’t so little anymore. And while it might be silly (and unfair) to think he’ll continue shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc for the rest of the season, this has certainly been a not-so-subtle way of putting his slow start out of memory. His per-game stats across the board are now right at or better than they were last season, and his shooting numbers have been incredible these last couple weeks. He’s been fun to watch.
The Spurs were without Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Pau Gasol tonight, which is plenty of firepower. But both Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge played for San Antonio, and the Mavs held them in check beautifully, especially through the first 40 minutes, containing the two stars to just 26 points combined on 7-of-24 shooting. The Dallas defense has done a very good job this season, even when taking into account the sheer volume of injuries the club has incurred. But between Matthews, Harrison Barnes, Andrew Bogut, and rookie Dorian Finney-Smith, the Mavericks still start four quality defensive players. The offense has lacked explosiveness at times, but the defense has been very good for large chunks of the season.
Devin Harris made his season debut tonight, after missing the first 16 games of the season with a foot injury stemming from a shoe issue in the final preseason game. He finished scoreless in just 11 minutes, reaching his minutes limit in the first half. Harris’ return helps to alleviate some of the depth concerns in the backcourt, as the Mavericks have been without him and J.J. Barea for much of the season, and Deron Williams has also been dealing with injuries and minutes restrictions for most of the campaign as well. Hopefully the other injured Mavs will be back into the mix soon. It’s unclear if Harris will play tomorrow night in Charlotte.
What’s Next
The Mavs (3-14) play the Charlotte Hornets (10-8) on Wednesday at American Airlines Center at 7:30 p.m. Central.
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