Mavericks 114 Warriors 91: Game 32 Recap

The Lead
Mavericks dominate the Curry-less Warriors for their fourth straight win, as they hand Golden State only their second loss of the season.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Barea, 23
Rebounds: Pachulia, 15
Assists: Barea, 6
+-: Nowitzki, Parsons, +24
Warriors
Points: Clark, 21
Rebounds: Bogut, 10
Assists: Green, Livingston, 4
+-: Speights, -3

Game Balls
J.J. Barea
23 points, 6 assists, 9-12 FG, 5-7 3PT
Zaza Pachulia
14 points, 15 rebounds, 5-8 FG, 4-4 FT

X-Factor
Wesley Matthews
13 points, 5-9 FG, 3-4 3PT, held Klay Thompson to 4-15 FG

Play of the Game
Late in the second quarter Dirk blows by Brandon Rush and puts down a two-handed slam that gave the Mavs a 57-40 lead.

Stat of the Game
After taking a 11-10 lead with 6:35 left in the first quarter, the Mavs would lead for the remainder of the game and led by at least 17 the entire second half.

Of Note

• The Warriors were without reigning MVP Stephen Curry who missed his first game of the season due to a bruised left lower leg. 
• In the four games he has started in place of the injured Deron Williams, J.J. Barea has averaged 21.8 points and 6.8 assists while shooting 63% from the field and 69% on threes.
• In the last three games Wesley Matthews had held top shooting guards Jimmy Butler, Khris Middleton and Klay Thompson to a combined 14-39 from the field.
• Despite the loss the Warriors still have the league's best ever record after 31 games at 29-2.
• The Mavs snapped a 7 game losing streak to the Warriors.
• During their four game winning streak the Mavs have shot 56-116 (.483%) on three point attempts.

Quote of Note
 "I've been able to help my team a lot the past couple days, especially early in games I bring a lot of energy. It's great man. They got confidence in me; they keep finding me; they set screens for me. It's awesome to be out there with them."
J.J. Barea

Tweet of the Night
 

look, no curry. whatever. mavs are lighting up a team with klay, Livingston, DRAYMOND GREEN, andrew bogut and Iggy as defenders. that's fire

— Mavs Moneyball (@mavsmoneyball) December 31, 2015

Next Up
The Mavericks (19-13) head out for a brief trip to Miami on  New Year's Day to face the Heat (18-13).

Mavericks vs. Warriors: Game 32 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (18-13) vs. Golden State Warriors (29-1)
Wed. Dec. 30, 7:30 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Warriors by 8 1/2

2014-15 Matchups
Dec. 13 at Dallas
Warriors 105 Mavs 98
Feb. 4 at Oakland
Warriors 128 Mavs 114
Mar. 6 at Oakland
Warriors 104 Mavs 89
Apr. 4 at Dallas
Warriors 123 Mavs 110

All-Time Series
Mavs 78 Warriors 66


Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 105.4 (9th)
Def. Rating: 104.7 (15th)
Point Differential: +0.7
Warriors
Offense: 114.2 (1st)
Defense: 100.8 (3rd)
Point Differential: +13.4

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: J.J. Barea
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Zaza Pachulia
Warriors
PG: Stephen Curry or Shaun Livingston
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Brandon Rush
PF: Draymond Green
C: Andrew Bogut

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 17.1
RPG: Pachulia, 10.4
APG: Williams, 5.8
PER: Nowitzki, 20.9
Warriors
PPG: Curry, 30.5
RPG: Green, 9.0
APG: Green, 7.0
PER: Curry, 32.0


Of Note

• Deron Williams' status remains uncertain as he continues to rehab his strained hamstring.
• For the Warriors, reigning MVP Stephen Curry will be a game-time decision with a left lower leg injury.
• Harrison Barnes (sprained ankle) and Leandro Barbosa (sprained shoulder) are out for Golden State.
• The Warriors 29-1 record is the best for any team after 30 games in NBA history.
• The Mavs have dropped 7 straight to the Warriors, including getting swept in all 4 games last season.
• In the last two seasons only four players have made 10 threes in a game. Three will be on the floor in this game (Matthews, Curry, Thompson).
  

Mavericks 103 Bucks 93: Game 31 Recap

The Lead
The Mavs never trail despite a Bucks fourth quarter rally, as the Mavs ability to take care of the ball proves decisive.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Matthews, 22
Rebounds: Pachulia, 8
Assists: Barea, 5
+-: Matthews, +23
Bucks
Points: Bayless, 19
Rebounds: Monroe, 11
Assists: Bayless, 7
+-: O' Bryant, +12

Game Ball
Wesley Matthews
22 points, 6-10 FG, 5-7 3PT, 5-6 FT

X-Factor
Zaza Pachulia
17 points, 8 rebounds, 6-12 FG

Plays of the Game
After Milwaukee tied the game at 89 with 4:49 left, Wesley Matthews hit  threes on back-to-back possesions to give the Mavs a lead they would not relinquish.

Stat of the Game
The Mavs tied a franchise record with only 4 turnovers including 0 in the first half. They also outscored the Bucks 26-0 on points off turnovers.

Of Note

• Deron Williams missed his third straight game with a strained hamstring.
• Chandler Parsons returned to the starting lineup with Raymond Felton going to back to a reserve role.
• The Mavs were able to overcome a 3-15 shooting night from Dirk, which included him going only 1-7 on threes.
• Zaza Pachulia's 17 points and 8 rebounds were especially sweet coming against the team that traded him this summer to the Mavs after two years in Milwaukee.
• The Mavericks have won 6 straight against the Bucks.
• In his last two games Felton has scored 27 points on only 11 shot attempts. He is 7-11 from the field and 11-12 from the line.

Quote of Note
"It doesn't matter how thankful you are that they traded you to Dallas, to a good team and a better situation. This is a special game going against your old team. ... It's a personal challenge."
Zaza

Tweet of the Night

GOOD WIN #MFFL #MAVS pic.twitter.com/QSzZ4fY884

— PÎÊRRĘ (@JaValeMcGee34) December 29, 2015

Next Up
The Mavericks (18-13) get their biggest test of the season when they host Stephen Curry and the defending champion Golden State Warriors (29-1) on Wednesday.

Mavericks vs. Bucks: Game 31 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (17-13) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (12-19)
Mon. Dec. 28, 7:30 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 6 1/2
  
2014-15 Matchups
Dec. 3 at Milwaukee
Mavs 107 Bucks 105
Dec. 7 at Dallas
Mavs 125 Bucks 102

All-Time Series
Bucks 37 Mavs 30

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 105.2 (13th)
Def. Rating: 104.8 (15th)
Point Differential: +0.4
Bucks
Offense: 102.3 (25th)
Defense: 108.6 (28th)
Point Differential: -5.9


Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: J.J. Barea
SG: Raymond Felton
SF: Wesley Matthews
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Zaza Pachulia
Bucks
PG: Michael Carter-Williams
SG: Khris Middleton
SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
PF: Jabari Parker
C: Greg Monroe

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 17.4
RPG: Pachulia, 10.4
APG: Williams, 5.8
PER: Nowitzki, 21.5
Bucks
PPG: Monroe, 15.8
RPG: Monroe, 9.6
APG: Carter-Williams, 5.4
PER: Monroe, 22.3

Of Note

• Deron Williams, who has missed the last two games with a strained left hamstring, is still considered day-to-day and is listed as questionable to play.
• Bucks coach and former Maverick Jason Kidd is out right now following hip surgery. Former Maverick assistant coach Joe Prunty is coaching the team in the interim.
• Zaza Pachulia spent the previous two seasons in Milwaukee, including starting at center for last year's playoff team. Zaza's 16 double-doubles this season are more than the 15 he had all of last season.
• The Bucks are off to a disappointing start after last year's surprise season, but they did hand the Warriors there only loss on Dec. 12
• The Mavericks have a worse all-time winning percentage (.448%) against the Bucks than any Eastern Conference opponent. However they have won the last five games in the in the series.

Mavericks 118 Bulls 111: Game 30 Recap

The Lead
In a highly entertaining contest, the Mavs make the key plays late for their second straight thrilling victory.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Barea, 26
Rebounds: Pachulia, 12
Assists: Barea, Felton, Parsons, 5
+-: Nowitzki, +29
Bulls
Points: Rose, 25
Rebounds: Gasol, 9
Assists: Butler, 8
+-: McDermott, +9

Game Ball
J.J. Barea
26 points, 5 assists, 9-14 FG, 7-8 3PT

X-Factor
Raymond Felton
13 points, 5 assists, 8-8 FT

Play of the Game
With the Mavs holding a 2 point lead with just less than a minute left, Raymond Felton steals Derrick Rose pass that leads to a Wesley Matthews fast break layup off a Chandler Parsons feed.

Stat of the Game
The Mavericks had 30 second chance points, their most in a game since March 10, 2011.

Of Note

• Deron Williams missed his second straight game with his strained hamstring. Devin Harris returned from a 3 game absence due to his injured hamstring.
• Barea who had 26 points including a career high 7 three pointers, has a total of 58 points and 16 assists in his last two games. He has shot 22-34 from the floor and 12-15 on threes in those games.
• Parsons tied a season high with 20 points. He has now scored at least 16 in 3 out of the last 6 games, all Mavericks wins.
• The win was the Mavs' first over an East team at home after four prior losses.
• Felton was a perfect 6-6 from the line in the final 1:07 of the game.
• Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 25 points, his third highest total of the season, but commited a key second violation on an inbound play with 11 seconds left and the Mavs up by 3.

Quote of Note
"Two weeks from now you’re going to see a guy that looks even better than he looks now, and he looks damn good now."
Rick Carlisle on Parsons

Tweet of the Night

Told Dirk he was 16 points closer to Wilt. "Kareem," he replied, deadpan.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 27, 2015

Next Up
The Mavericks (17-13) stay at home to face the Jason Kidd-less Milwaukee Bucks (12-19) on Monday.

Mavericks vs. Bulls: Game 30 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (16-13) vs. Chicago Bulls (16-11)
Sat. Dec. 26, 7:30 at the AAAC
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 3

2014-15 Matchups
Dec. 2 at Chicago
Mavs 132 Bulls 129 (2OT)
Jan. 23 at Dallas
Bulls 102 Mavs 98

All-Time Series
Mavs 34 Bulls 34

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 104.5 (15th)
Def. Rating: 104.3 (15th)
Point Differential: +0.2
Bulls
Offense: 101.4 (27th)
Defense: 100.2 (3rd)
Point Differential: +1.2

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: J.J. Barea
SG: Raymond Felton
SF: Wesley Matthews
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Zaza Pachulia
Bullls
PG: Derrick Rose
SG: Jimmy Butler
SF: Nikola Mirotic
PF: Taj Gibson
C: Pau Gasol


Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 17.5
RPG: Pachulia, 10.4
APG: Williams, 5.8
PER: Nowitzki, 21.7
Bulls
PPG: Butler, 21.5
RPG: Gasol, 10.9
APG: Rose, 5.2
PER: Gasol, 21.8

Of Note

• Deron Williams will miss his second straight game with a strained hamstring. Devin Harris is listed as questionable with his hamstring injury.
• Joakim Noah is out for the Bulls with an injured shoulder.
• The Mavs are still looking for their first home win against an East team, as they are 0-4 on the season. They have won 5 games against the East on the road.
• The Bulls had lost three in a row before winning in Oklahoma City yesterday in what was probably their best performance of the season. 
• In the Mavs last three wins, Chandler Parsons has averaged 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists. 

Mavericks 119 Nets 118 (OT): Game 29 Recap

The Lead
Dirk drops the game-winner in the same game he passes Shaq for 6th in NBA history in scoring.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Barea, 32
Rebounds: Parsons, 7
Assists: Barea, 11
+-: Nowitzki, Barea, +16
Nets
Points: Young, 29
Rebounds: Young, 10
Assists: Jack, 8
+-: Bogdanovic, +16

Game Balls
Dirk Nowitzki
22 points, 7-13 FG, 3-5 3PT, 6th all-time NBA scorer
J.J. Barea
32 points, 11 assists, 13-20 FG, 5-7 3PT

X-Factor
Chandler Parsons
11 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 5-7 FG

Play of the Game
With 9:51 left in the second quarter, Dirk hit a jumper over Andrea Bargnani that moved him past Shaquille O' Neal for 6th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

Stat of the Game
J.J. Barea's 32 points were a career high. His previous high of 29 came on New Year's Day 2011 in Milwaukee. Barea also had a game high 11 assists.

Of Note

• Former Net Deron Williams missed the game due to the strained hamstring he suffered in the game in Toronto. Devin Harris also sat out with a hamstring injury.
• The Mavericks led at halftime by 11 points thanks to 71% shooting from the field, which included going 10-13 on threes.
• Unfortunately, the Mavs were dominated in the third period and fell behind by as much as 11 early in the fourth.
• A Barea three point play with 12.4 seconds left in regulation gave the Mavs a three point lead, but the Nets tied it when Thaddeus Young hit only his second three of the season.
• With the Mavs trailing by one with 19 seconds left in OT, Dirk made the game-winning layup on a up-and-under move on Joe Johnson. 
• Dirk finished the game with 28,609 career points. Next up is Wilt Chamberlain in fifth place with 31,419 career points. 

Quote of Note
"That's what I play for, is to compete at the highest level for this franchise, for this team," Obviously No. 6 in the bigger picture is a lot bigger than this win in Brooklyn in December, but when you're out there you don't think about that. You want to get this win bad and fight out there against a talented team."
Dirk

Tweet of the Night

6

— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) December 24, 2015

Next Up
The Mavericks (16-13) begin a three game homestand to finish out 2015 on Saturday, when they welcome the Chicago Bulls (15-11) to the AAC.