Mavericks Notch Their Fourth Win Of The Season & Halt Red-Hot Thunder
Photo Credit – Dallas Sports Fanatic
Dallas Texas- The Dallas Mavericks secured their fourth win this season as they topped the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-96. Snapping their seven-game winning streak in the process.
At the end of the first quarter, the Dallas Mavericks took a 23- 22 lead headed into the second quarter. JJ Barea led all scorers with 11 points off the bench but picked up two quick personal fouls, while Paul George poured in eight points and snagged four rebounds. Maximilian Kleber made his presence felt early on the defensive side of ball blocking a couple shots at the rim. He would finish with three blocks in totaled.
Thunder back up point guard Dennis Schroder gave Dennis Smith Jr. & the Mavericks fits in the first quarter. Schroder shot 50 percent on 3 of 6 attempts heading in the two quarters. He would finish with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The big man in the middle Steven Adams started off slow in the first quarter just tallying four points and four rebounds. Adams would finish with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
In the second quarter, the Dallas Mavericks jumped out to a 12 point lead in the second quarter and never looked back. Luka Doncic continued his scoring output this season as the 19-year-old, notching 22 points to lead all scorers while dishing out eight assists, and capturing six rebounds. He would exit the game Saturday night with a leg injury, but he would return.
“It’s going to be sore tomorrow,” said Doncic. “I’ll just get treatment. … It’s a part of the game.”
His coach Rick Carlisle was concerned after the game as he addressed the media. No wants to see their players go down with an injury.
“You always do,” Carlisle said. “You never want to see one of your guys go down. It’s very scary.”
Point guard Devon Harris made his return to court after nursing a hamstring strain injury that he suffered in the season opener.
At morning practice before the game, Harris discussed how the time off was very therapeutic and added that he possibly could pursue coaching, after his playing career is over.
During the last three weeks, the 15th year veteran watched his team struggle through the first ten games. He also watched as his head coach Rick Carlisle try to figure out the approach to deal with the early struggle. Harris said he observed the ten games that he was sidelined from a coach and player perspective.
“I’ve kind of been forced to in our situation, just trying to help get everybody on the same page, what I see as a player, what I see that the coaches want and try to mend that together,” the veteran guard said Saturday morning. “I see what drives Coach crazy sometimes, but I also see the players’ frustrations. It’s been an interesting ten games.”
Harris chipped in six points, three assists, and three rebounds during 12 minutes of play against the Thunder.
“It’s good to be back with my guys. Nothing special just tried to get in the paint, create shots for others. Energy is what I’m trying to bring. I’m just glad we got the win. That’s all I care about.”Harris told The Dallas Morning News.
As for the Thunder, former Dallas Maverick Nerlens Noel made his return to Dallas after opting to sign with Oklahoma City on a one year deal reportedly worth $3.5 million this past off-season.
” It was cool… It is just another game to me preparation is the same, Noel told me.
Noel was Dennis Smith Jr.’s teammate last season and shared some of the things that Dennis has improved in the off-season.
“Dennis is Special. He is one of my good friends. He has definitely developed and it is going to help his over all game.
He also shared his first impression of Luka’s game:
“He has a great feel for the game.”
His teammate also a former Maverick Raymond Felton stated that Luka is ” Very good and he will do great moving forward.”
“Really good player, and good pace. He is at his own pace. When having someone that is on his pace you never want to speed that up. We knew that he was a good player coming in,” Steven Adams told me.
“He is a young player that is playing great thus far,” Dennis Schröder told Travis “Sneaker Reporter” Singleton
Tweet
About the Author
Landon Buford Washington State Graduate Past Interviews include Grammy Award Winner Kenny G, David Banner, WNBA President Lisa Borders, What's Trending's CEO Shira Lazar, Ice Cube, NBC's Chicago PD LaRoyce Hawkins, Family Matters Darius McCrary, En Vogues Maxine Jones, Team USA Track & Field Member Norris Frederick, James Kyson, WNBA Great Lauren Jackson, and more.
Related Posts
Travis’ Fran Healy On The New “10 Songs” Album, Life During COVID-19, Future Band Plans & More →
Tom Boy Rebrands as Solo Act on New Track “Thunder” →
Dwight Powell underwent surgery →
