The Dallas Mavericks took on the Los Angeles Lakers in their last game before breaking for All-Star weekend. Both teams were missing star players (Cooper Flagg and Luka Doncic), but it was the Lakers who served up the Mavs a 124-104 loss.
Let’s get to the grades!
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Brandon Williams: B+
17 PTS / 5 REB / 7 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 29 MIN
Williams’ game somehow felt quiet despite a well-balanced output and solid shooting (6-for-11). He put up a high rebound total, especially relative to his position and minutes played, but also dished a team-high in assists which is not always his calling card. As the game wound down, he hurt himself with a bloated turnover total to somewhat offset his passing (four).
Max Christie: B+
19 PTS / 1 REB / 4 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 30 MIN
This was the Max Christie we love to see. He dug into his offensive bag with a few drives, some mid-range shots and of course the three-ball. Best of all, he did all of it well (7-for-12 overall; 2-for-4 from deep). Very nice game, but he fouled a bit too often and had the worst plus/minus for nearly the entire game.
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Naji Marshall: B+
19 PTS / 2 REB / 4 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK – 29 MIN
Marshall has really taken his game to another level. Yes, the Mavericks are playing their worst ball of the season, but remember that Marshall was an undrafted player who has now proven to be one of the best and most consistent players for Dallas. He once again did a little bit of everything and was the primary offensive force for the Mavs throughout the night. Marshall left early to nurse a foot strain.
P.J. Washington: B-
18 PTS / 4 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 34 MIN
Washington had a much better game tonight than he has in recent days. His numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page (what with some of the output coming in garbage time), but he chipped in everywhere and made his shots. Now he just needs to build on it and get back into the groove where he could have a big night more frequently.
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Daniel Gafford: C–
2 PTS / 6 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 28 MIN
I continue to remind myself that Gafford is doing a lot as the only clear cut center on the roster and that he is arguably best suited in a tandem where he plays 24-minutes or so. That said, I can’t help but feel like he could be doing a lot more. His turnover number was too high (two), he again committed too many fouls (three) and it’s puzzling that he can’t drop at or near a double-double. Defensively he was the first Maverick to register a block in this one, but it came in the fourth quarter (and required a coach’s challenge). His departure from the game due to right ankle soreness came a bit too late into the fourth quarter to spare his grade much.
Klay Thompson: C
9 PTS / 3 REB / 0 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 23 MIN
Thompson knocked down his shots well enough, but had more turnovers than a bakery with a ridiculous total of four.
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Marvin Bagley: B+
7 PTS / 4 REB / 0 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 20 MIN
I can’t quite figure why Bagley didn’t get more time relative to Gafford. Yes, the Lakers’ bigs have length, but to get only a fraction of the time Gafford logged seemed to be a miscue. He did get some burn in the latter part of the fourth quarter to semi-close out the game, but overall it left us wondering what kind of impact he may have had. In context of the overall game, he again did a nice job and looks to be somewhat rejuvenated since coming to Dallas.
Khris Middleton: C
8 PTS / 1 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 21 MIN
Middleton’s game was similar to Thompson’s, but instead of turning it over he missed shots (3-for-11). Still acclimating to a new setting, there wasn’t much in this one for Middleton.
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Final thoughts
The Mavericks’ inability to play defense, especially after being an upper-echelon defensive team earlier in the season, is becoming alarming. During this season-long nine-game losing streak, Dallas has gotten trounced on many more than one occasion. The bench was cleared with a few minutes left. Combined with the late start time and absence of Cooper Flagg, this was a wildly forgettable game.
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