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Official Game Thread: Mavericks at Hawks

lethalweapon3

By lethalweapon3
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lethalweapon3 Grand Master

lethalweapon3

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BazemoreTopGolfSamples-21-copy-1024x684.

“Never fear… BazeClaus is here!”

 

((On holiday travel, so this prematurely-scribbled version will have to do! Cheers! ~lw3))

Are our Atlanta Hawks in a gifting mood? If so, then this evening, they’ll be happy to spread good tidings and cheer to their visitors, the Dallas Mavericks (7:30 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL).

The Hawks (7-25) wrapped up a home win just last week for Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies, a gift that keeps on giving for both teams on Atlanta’s floor tonight. Thanks largely to the Hawks, this is the second-straight weekend where the worst NBA teams from each conference tip off against one another.

Having dropped their season opener to the visiting Hawks, 117-111 back in October, Dallas (9-24) will do all it can to even up the season series, and give the legendary Dirk Nowitzki a win in (maybe? at long last?) his final visit to Philips Arena. Victory for the Mavs, who flew in from last night’s game in Miami, will require Dennis Smith, Jr. to be the superior Dennis on the hardwood.

Much like Atlanta’s John Collins, Smith (14.4 PPG and 4.1 APG, 5th and 3rd among rookies, respectively) has been a surefire source for crowd-energizing highlight plays. But as one might expect, other aspects of his game, like shooting (39.8 FG%, 30.7 3FG%, 67.3 FT%), ball security, and defense have yet to round out.

Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle is in no hurry with his rookie point guard, especially when he can rely on sound offensive play by J.J. Barea (48.5 2FG%, team-high 5.5 APG off-bench), Devin Harris (83.1 FT%, 12.6 TO%), and even scoring-minded Yogi Ferrell in relief. Smith’s playing time would have eroded even further were shooter Seth Curry (tibia stress fracture, out all season, until at least January) available to sop up backcourt minutes.

For Carlisle, the mandate from the Shark Tank is straightforward. Circulate and showcase as many veterans not named Dirk in his lineups, in hopes of enticing draft-pick offers suitable to accelerate the post-Nowitzki rebuild. That includes vets like Wesley Matthews (39.1 3FG%), who’s guaranteed for $18 million next season, and more palatable expiring contract holders like Harris and the hot-dogging Nerlens Noel (inactive since Nov. 22).

Improved maneuverability ought to help Dallas (no second-round trips since winning the NBA Finals in 2011) in the long run, and maybe help them catch up with Phoenix (six picks in the upcoming 2018 draft rounds, to Dallas’ two) and Atlanta in the Tankathon Power Rankings. Leading-scorer Harrison Barnes (44.1 FG%, lowest since 2013-14; up to $49 million over the next two seasons), whose iso-play seems to suck the life out of their offense, seems to be the only real immovable object on the roster.

The Hawks ought to find, in the Mavs (NBA-low 17.3 team O-Reb%), a reprieve from getting gashed on the defensive glass. Among current starters, only Barnes (1.2 O-Rebs per game) and Dirk’s fellow Wurzburger, German rookie Maxi “Priest” Kleber (1.1) even want to get close to the offensive rim. Despite being granted 19 minutes (16 points, 11 boards) in the season-opener, Noel now seems to have a jump on his teammates in getting to the cookies and milk at the media table.

Now halfway toward the Tragic Number in the Eastern Conference’s playoff chase, it won’t be easy for Atlanta to give this game away. Coach Bud will have to invoke the spirit of the Georgia Lottery’s Scrooge toward his colleague at the other end of the floor. “Coach Rick, this L, I want you to have it… NO! I’ve failed myself!”

Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Festivus, and Happy Holidays to you and yours. And, Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

 

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marco102 Grand Master

marco102

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8 minutes ago, Peoriabird said:

I guess Delaney is Bud's defensive stopper.

When Delaney's playing well, I want him to get tons of playing time, maybe some team will take the bait and trade for him.   Also, that's probably why you are seeing a lot of funky rotations. Bud's showcasing players before the deadline.  I will hate to see Ersan and Belinelli go, but I don't think they will be with the team after January.

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Peoriabird Grand Master

Peoriabird

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6 minutes ago, marco102 said:

When Delaney's playing well, I want him to get tons of playing time, maybe some team will take the bait and trade for him.   Also, that's probably why you are seeing a lot of funky rotations. Bud's showcasing players before the deadline.  I will hate to see Ersan and Belinelli go, but I don't think they will be with the team after January.

Delaney played well tonight?  What would you get in return for Delaney, Ersan or Belinelli in a trade?

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marco102 Grand Master

marco102

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6 minutes ago, Peoriabird said:

Delaney played well tonight?  What would you get in return for Ersan and Belinelli in a trade?

He didn't stink up the joint tonight and he was excellent last night. 

Ersan and Belinelli may get you first round picks from a contender that need shooters.  Ersan has been playing lights out lately and is shooting 40% from three and decent rebounding. Kyle Korver netted a first for doing less than Ersan is currently doing. . Plus Ersan is an expiring contract.

Same goes for Belinelli.

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Peoriabird Grand Master

Peoriabird

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1 hour ago, marco102 said:

He didn't stink up the joint tonight and he was excellent last night. 

Ersan and Belinelli may get you first round picks from a contender that need shooters.  Ersan has been playing lights out lately and is shooting 40% from three and decent rebounding. Kyle Korver netted a first for doing less than Ersan is currently doing. . Plus Ersan is an expiring contract.

Same goes for Belinelli.

Hawks got him on an expiring contract for Splitter.  He is averaging near career lows so why would he net more this year?

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marco102 Grand Master

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2 minutes ago, Peoriabird said:

Hawks got him on an expiring contract for Splitter.  He is averaging career lows so why would he net more this year?

Who is averaging career lows?  If you are referring to Ersan he surely is not.  In December, since he's been healthy, he's averaging 13.9 pts, 50% Shooting, 47% from 3.  For the season 10.2 is not is career low and he's shooting 39% from three.

If you are referring to Belinelli, he's cooled off in December but is sill putting up 11 pts off the bench.

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