Dallas Mavericks Journal: Somedays you win, some you lose.
Is it ok if I bask in a moral victory for a second? Yes, the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in primetime Friday night. But for a team that has battled through various postponements due to COVID-19, and is still trying to incorporate its all-star big into the starting lineup, last night's result […]
Is it ok if I bask in a moral victory for a second?
Yes, the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in primetime Friday night. But for a team that has battled through various postponements due to COVID-19, and is still trying to incorporate its all-star big into the starting lineup, last night's result was just fine.
Dallas trailed for the majority of the game. Between Giannis Antetokounmpo (31 points) and Khris Middleton (25 points), there were moments when Dallas' typically stout defense (2nd in the NBA) couldn't buy a stop. But again, that's ok. Given the circumstances surrounding the game – Dallas' postponements, the incorporation of Kristaps Porzingis, and the lack of role player availability – the team's resilience impressed me.
Luka Doncic and every else that played last night simply refused to give up. And for a split second at the end of the game, it looked as though they could sneak out of Milwaukee with a win. That is the mark of a team that can reach the elusive mountain top Dallas fans are hoping for. Great teams find wins when they shouldn't. Dallas almost did that last night, showing me they are one step away from real contention.
Who stepped up:
Tim Hardaway Jr. continued scorching the nets last night. He finished the game with 22 points on 9-17 from the field and 4-9 from three. His early-season struggles are a distant memory. And in the last five games, he has been nothing short of spectacular. I can't count how many moments he had last night where I questioned the shot selection, but then the shot went in. You can't argue with results, right? And that is the nature of Hardaway Jr.'s game. He's a shot chucker: when he's on–he's on. This mold of Hardaway Jr. is the guy Dallas consistently needs going forward. If he is making shots, that is what makes Dallas' offense lethal. Every position on the floor can burn a team from behind the arc.
What to make of Porzingis:
Porzingis played 29 minutes in his second game back. He struggled with his efficiency shooting the ball (6-19 from the field) and he seemed out of rhythm, but that is to be expected. It will take time for him to get his legs under him again. However, that doesn't mean him being on the floor isn't valuable. He's still a 7 footer who can stretch the floor vertically and from behind the three-point line. He's a perfect pick and pop partner for Luka. And I am looking for him to have a better game next time out. His sensational play was a big reason the Mavs had a record-setting offense last season. To compete, Dallas needs Porzingis at his best.
In the end a moral is still no complete victory:
The moral victory from Friday night is Dallas' resilience as a team. Yet, a moral victory still isn't a real victory. There is no parade for playing hard, only a parade for winning.
The Mavs came into the game riding a win-streak and left with a loss. But it's a long NBA season, and things can change from one week to the next. To start the year Dallas looked terrible. Since Luka rested against Chicago, Dallas has looked good. Once Porzingis gets his legs under him, Dallas will be great. So it's not a matter of if, but instead, it's when all the puzzle pieces get put together. The immediate future for the Mavs is bright, but still, the team isn't where it wants to be. And that is ok. It will take time for everyone to get there, so for now, all we can do is appreciate each little step forward along the way.
Feature image via Nick Monroe/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports.
