Monday, October 20, 2014

Rapid Reaction: Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks 108, Memphis Grizzlies 103     

     For it being the last time the Dallas home crowd would get to see their team in the preseason, Mavs put on quite a show. All of the starters were in double digits (Nelson 11, Ellis 14, Parsons 11, Dirk 10, Chandler 14), as well as Al-Farouq Aminu (10) and Richard Jefferson (13). Mavs proved today that they have the potential to be an offensive juggernaut and keep pace with anybody in the league.

Starting lineup unveiled, impressive- For the first time, the Dallas Mavericks had all of their projected starters available and healthy at home. Jameer Nelson ran the point, Monta Ellis and Chandler Parsons manned the wings, Dirk posted up at power forward and Tyson Chandler was the anchor in the middle. They played very impressively together and built a lead the Mavs would not relinquish.

Dirk Management- An interesting little nugget came in the second quarter with seven minutes remaining. All of the starters were in the game, except for Dirk who was replaced by Al-Farouq Aminu. Aminu had a solid effort, as did the others around him. This could be a sign as the Mavs try to manage Nowitzki’s minutes in his 17th season to allow him to have fresh legs throughout the season.

Name of the Day: Chandler- Both Chandler’s had quite a game, often times feeding off each other. Chandler Parsons had three big 3-pointers and five assists. Of those five assists, one was an alley-oop to Tyson Chandler and another was an inside feed to Tyson. Tyson Chandler also had a few electrifying slams of his own and a solid defensive effort.

Gal Mekel shows up, Point Guard intrigue goes up- Gal Mekel played early, and played well. He was also a part of a small lineup that featured him and fellow point guard Devin Harris both on the floor at the same time, with Mekel seeming to play more of a shooting guard role. With Raymond Felton recovering from a high ankle sprain and Mekel play at a high level, it will be interesting which makes the roster, if both don’t. Jameer Nelson and Devin Harris are virtually locks for the final roster.

Richard Jefferson ELECTRIFYING- Plenty of players had exciting plays, but nobody sent the crowd in frenzy the way Jefferson did. He played aggressive and attacked the rim early, hit a three pointer, and then finished with a monstrous dunk on fast break that led to the AAC erupting.


Fun Fact: The Dallas mavericks had 57 points at the half and only four of them came from Dirk Nowitzki. That tells you how scary deep and good this Mavs roster is, offensively at least.

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