Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. said the team was “lacking energy” during Saturday’s 118-108 loss to the New Orleans
Pelicans.
So, how do the Mavs make sure that doesn’t happen again when they have a rematch with the Pelicans on Monday at 1:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center?
“Communicating on defense,” Jones said. “Whenever we see a loose ball, (just) getting those 50/50 balls.
“Crash the glass (and) get as many defensive rebounds as we can so they don’t get offensive rebounds. That’s pretty much it. Hustle plays, basically.”
The Mavs have been playing with various injuries to numerous key players at various times. Jones just hope their tank is full of energy when they play the last of this seven-game home stand on Monday.
“I mean yeah, we have been lacking energy, we have been lacking a little bit of effort,” Jones said. “It’s things we just talk about and take it to the drawing board.
“You got to talk it out and just put it to action. You can’t just keep talking. You got to put it into action, go out there and play the game like it’s our last.”
*This is the finale of a season-high seven-game home stand for the Mavs. The Mavs are 4-2 so far. After Monday’s game, the Mavs head to California for a two-game road trip that starts with Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers and ends with Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
*For the Pelicans, they’re 3-1 on this road trip which concludes Monday. New Orleans will start a four-game home stand Wednesday against Charlotte, and it continues on Friday against Phoenix, Jan. 23 against Utah and ends on Jan. 26 against Oklahoma City.
*Luka Dončić (right ankle sprain) is listed as doubtful for Monday’s game, Dereck Lively II (left ankle sprain) and Dante Exum (right plantar sprain) are out, Derrick Jones Jr. (right calf contusion) is doubtful, and Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation) is probable.
*Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (right quad contusion), Brandon Ingram (Achilles), CJ McCollum (ankle), and Trey Murphy III (knee) are all listed as probable.
*Mavs center Dwight Powell had nine rebounds, a game-high eight assists and three steals during Saturday’s game against the Pelicans. The eight
assists ties a career-high Powell set at Minnesota on May 16, 2021, and the three steals ties a season-high he recorded on the road against Portland on Dec. 8.
*Pelicans rookie Jordan Hawkins poured in a game-high 34 points and also picked up two steals in Saturday’s game against the Mavs. That’s the most points for a New Orleans rookie since Zion Williams tallied 35 points during a 122-114 home loss against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 1, 2020.
*In Saturday’s game against New Orleans, Mavs forward Derrick Jones Jr. scored a season-high tying 24 points. He now has five gam
es with 20 or more points this season. That’s the most 20-point games Jones has ever had in one season in his career. His previous high in his career was two, which occurred during the 2019-20 season when he was playing for the Miami Heat.
*New Orleans center Jonas Valanciunas scored 14 points, grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, distributed a team-high seven assists and blocked a game-high two shots in Saturday’s win over the Mavs.
*After scoring 32 points Thursday against the New York Knicks, Tim Hardaway Jr. followed that up with 24 points against the Pelicans. That’s the second time this season Hardaway has scored at least 20 points in consecutive games. He scored 20 points during a 125-112 road win over Portland on Dec. 8, and in the very next game he poured in 32 points on Dec. 12 during a 127-125 victory at home against the Los Angeles Lakers.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (24-16) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (23-17)
When: 1:30 p.m., Monday
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: BSSW
Radio: 97.1 FM The Freak; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)
X: @DwainPrice
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