For the second consecutive game, the Dallas Mavericks(8-9) got off to a slow start, including Monday’s 117-113 home loss to the Denver Nuggets(10-7), and just like they did in their home loss to the Rockets on Saturday night, the Mavericks trailed Denver by double digits going into halftime.
However, the third quarter was much different for the Mavericks on Monday. They outscored the Nuggets by 14 in the quarter and had a lead going into the final period. Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle called that third quarter the team’s best quarter of the season.
“I thought the third quarter was one of our best quarters of the year; we moved the ball, we were very determined defensively, we were helping each other at both ends,” Carlisle said. “The first half was very poor; the ball didn’t move, we were distracted, we didn’t help each other defensively. It was very disappointing. But the guys made a great adjustment in the third quarter. The fourth quarter we just didn’t play well enough. We made some mistakes, but instead of giving up 38 and 32, respectively, we gave up 25 and could only score 19. The second half was a much better picture of the kind of team that we want to be and need to be.”
In that third quarter, Denver’s Jamal Murray appeared to hit Tim Hardaway Jr. in the groin area intentionally. Ultimately, Murray was issued a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected. After the ejection, the Mavericks went on a 10-0 run to take a two-point lead.
But, according to Luka Doncic, who recorded a triple-double with 35 points, 11 rebounds, 16 assists and 4 steals on Monday, Murray’s ejection did not have an impact on the team’s performance.
“I don’t think the ejection was something that fired us up,” Doncic said. “We just continued to play, and we continued to fight for every possession. We have to be better on defense for sure, and that is our key to winning games.”
The fourth quarter was about Michael Porter Jr., who scored 11 of his 30 points in the quarter, including eight points in the game’s final four minutes. Porter was playing his third game after missing multiple weeks due to the league’s health and safety protocols.
“One of the reasons that I am on the team is to put the ball in the hoop,” Porter Jr. said. “So, if we are having trouble scoring, I definitely try to make myself more available and be more aggressive. That is definitely something that I try to do.”
Nuggets JaMychal Green added this about Porter Jr.: “He didn’t skip a beat. I don’t know if he has a gym at his own house or what, but it seems like he hasn’t missed a game. He came back and has been playing big for us. We are excited to have him back.”
Dallas fought hard in the second half, but they have to find ways to get off to better starts. Dallas will get back at it Wednesday night against the red-hot Jazz, who have won eight straight.
Notes:
After the game, Hardaway Jr. discussed the incident with Murray:
“Just playing the game,” Hardaway Jr. said. “I guess he was just frustrated they didn’t call the foul. So, I was trying to do the best I can to deny the ball. The rest speaks for itself. I mean, it happens in games. It sucks, but it doesn’t even matter we lost.”
-Doncic tied John Havlicek for the 13th-most triple-doubles in NBA history with the 31st of his career on Monday night.
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