The Association: Dallas Mavericks

[LopaKa]

this has been great so far bro, i'll be following! Will be interesting to see if the AI Mark Cuban can reel in some talent in free agency.

[vtcha]

Dallas get their first victory of the season after a second half barrage

November 26, 2016 | by NBA News

---

The Lakers started out red hot in the first half with a commanding 8 point lead while shooting 56% from the field. Lakers center, Timofey Mozgov had his fingerprints all over the game, recording 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 5 blocks, and a monstrous putback dunk on Andrew Bogut late in the fourth quarter, in what looked to have shifted the momentum for a second.

On the other spectrum, Dirk Nowitzki led the way with 22 points though it was a night to forget for Harrison Barnes, who came into this averaging 20.5 PPG, but struggled for much of the game, finishing with only 11 points (4-13 FG). Fortunately, it was Dallas' bench that picked up the slack, with Dwight Powell and J.J. Barea providing a huge spark in the second half that propelled the Mavericks back into the game. Powell had an impressive 17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 swats, while Barea dished out 8 assist and played down the stretch after an unfortunate injury sustained by Deron Williams, who landed awkwardly after a missed three point attempt.

Dallas will now fly to Tinseltown to face the L.A. Clippers. Deron Williams is expected to be available for the game despite the injury he suffered. "Yeah, my ankle feels really swollen right now but I think with a few days of rest, it'll be alright" Williams told reporters after the game.

Box Score

Spoiler

[vtcha]

DALLAS (AP) -- Dallas Mavericks point guard, Deron Williams, suffered a ruptured left Achilles after Saturday night's victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Williams left the game late in the fourth quarter and even told reporters that he felt fine afterwards. However, after an MRI further revealed complications in his left ankle and team doctors have already ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

"It's definitely a huge blow for us and what we want to accomplish this season", Rick Carlisle addressed the media today. "We just have to pick back up the pieces and go from there."

With the Mavericks scheduled to face the Clippers in a few weeks, Carlisle has yet to confirm Williams' replacement as the starting point guard.

[vtcha]

Griffin, Clippers crush Mavericks

December 17, 2016 | by NBA News

---

Blake Griffin was in full flight on Saturday night as he and the Clippers cruised past the Dallas Mavericks, 115-98. Griffin led the way with 35 points, 16 rebounds and 4 steals. Despite only shooting 5 free throw attempts for the game, the Clippers handled the ball very impressively, with only 5 turnovers in total.

On the other hand, Dallas' disastrous season continues. After losing their starting point guard, Deron Williams for the season with a ruptured Achilles, veteran Devin Harris was inserted as his replacement. The Clippers picked the Mavs clean, scoring 20 points off the Mavs' 16 turnovers. Harrison Barnes (25 points) was Dallas' lone bright spot with the rest of the starters struggling mightily with their shots.

Dallas will now head back home (and the drawing board) as they kick-start the New Year against division rivals, the Houston Rockets, on January 7.

Box Score

Spoiler

[vtcha]

Rockets win in thrilling Texas showdown

January 7, 2017 | by NBA News

---

In a nail-biting finish, the Houston Rockets edged past the Dallas Mavericks, 106-105 at the American Airlines Center on Saturday night.

Dallas did an admirable job containing James Harden to just 20 points. But it was Patrick Beverly that stole the show as he scored 16 points, along with 8 assists an a pair of steals, to help the team to victory.

The Dallas starters fared much better than their previous game, with Dirk Nowitzki posting 24 points and Wesley Matthews contributing 15 points. Max-contract man, Harrison Barnes, continues his scoring streak, notching up 29 points. Barnes has now scored back-to-back 20+ points and is proving to be a reliable first-option despite that array of criticism in the offseason. Uncharacteristically, Barnes did shoot 5-11 from the charity stripe and one could only imagine what could've been had he hit a few more.

Box Score

Spoiler

[vtcha]

INDEPENDENCE, Dallas (AP) -- After an illustrious career spanning for almost two decades, Dallas Maverick forward, and future Hall of Famer, Dirk Nowitzki has decided to call it quits at the conclusion of the 2016-17 NBA season.

Nowitzki made the announcement late last night on his Twitter account.

Dallas' last game in the regular season will be played against the OKC Thunder on April 6, and with the Mavs currently 1-4 in the standings and Playoff aspirations drifting further and further, it could very well be the last dance for Nowitzki.

[trekfan]

Ouch, Deron gone and now Dirk's calling it a career after the season. I think it's time to accept fate -- as much as I would like to see Dirk ride off into the sunset on a playoff squad, the Mavs have been more competitive than they had any right to be the last few years.

Still got time to turn it around, only 1-4, but to set up for the future, losing would benefit you much more.

[vtcha]

Quote: Originally Posted by trekfan

Ouch, Deron gone and now Dirk's calling it a career after the season. I think it's time to accept fate -- as much as I would like to see Dirk ride off into the sunset on a playoff squad, the Mavs have been more competitive than they had any right to be the last few years. Still got time to turn it around, only 1-4, but to set up for the future, losing would benefit you much more.

I definitely want to keep the Playoff hopes alive for Dirk's sake but it will be a tough road ahead, especially with the lack of playmakers around.

Might even look to shake things up before the trade deadline if the wheels fall off completely.