DALLAS, TEXAS — Well that was short lived. After snapping their 6 game losing streak on the road, the Mavericks lost to the Warriors at home 147-116, and it all came down to who would step up on defense at the right time.
The first quarter between the Mavericks and Warriors was a stalemate with both teams converting the same percentage of their shots from the field. Kristaps knocked down two first quarter three pointers to start the game and Luka Doncic led the way, scoring 13 points on 5 out of his 7 first quarter shot attempts. Dallas knocked down 48% of their shots from the field and had one of their best starts in the first quarter this season despite trailing the Warriors 36-34.
To start the second quarter the Mavericks had a slow start but quickly turned that into an offensive explosion knocking down 55% of their shots. They had a solid effort off the bench from Jalen Brunson and Tim Hardaway Jr who converted on 70% of their shots with 6 of those shots coming from three. The Mavericks converted 15 of their shots from beyond the arc for the entire first half marking their highest scoring half from three this season. Dallas went into the half with a two point 76-74 lead with both teams combining for 150 points.
After having two solid offensive quarters the Mavericks offensive attack began to stall. Dallas’s defensive struggles began to catch up which led to the Warriors gaining ground and developed a 14 point lead to end the quarter. After starting out hot from the floor the Mavericks were only able to connect on 36% of their shots from the field in the third quarter, while the Warriors knocked down 70% of their shots.
In the fourth quarter the Mavericks offense didn’t improve. Dallas only knocked 28% of their shots and the Warriors knocked down 72% of their shots. This was the first time this season the Mavericks shot less than 30% from the field in the third and the fourth quarter. It was just a bizarre inconsistent showing from the Mavericks on offense. Dallas would go on to lose to the Warriors by 30 points handing the Mavericks their first 30 point loss of the season.
It was an up and down affair all night for the Mavericks on all accounts. They started out hot, but like charcoal that’s been sitting in the pit too long they cooled down overtime. The inconsistencies on offense is one thing, but the biggest question about this Mavericks team is their lack of defense in this game and how easy was for the Warriors to turn a 2 point Maverick lead into a 30 point victory.
Dallas will get another shot to beat Golden State this Saturday at home and hopefully they bring the intensity on the defensive end.
