Rewind

Dallas 101, Orlando 76

Seeking their 10th straight win at home, the Mavs welcomed an Orlando team led by Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic. Behind the stellar play of rookie point guard, Jalen Brunson, the Mavericks never let the Magic take control of the game.

Stat of the Game: Averaging over 20 points per game, Nikola Vucevic was held to just eight points.

Mavs Box: Harrison Barnes led the way with 19 points, but it was Jalen Brunson stepping into the starting lineup with 17 points that sparked the team. Luka Doncic finished with seven points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists.

Out: Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Smith Jr.

Read the full game recap here.

Dallas 114, Atlanta 107

In a draft night trade that landed Luka Doncic in Dallas, Trae Young was the player sent in return and he made his debut trip to Dallas. The Mavs also welcomed back Vince Carter to the AAC where they notched their 11th straight home win on the season.

Stat of the Game: Luka Doncic went 12 of 15 from the free throw line

Mavs Box: Harrison Barnes finished with 25 points while Doncic stuffed the stat line with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. J.J. Barea and Dorian Finney-Smith combined for 29 points off the bench.

Out: Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Smith Jr.

Read the full game recap here.

Dallas 89, Phoenix 99

On a second night of a back-to-back, Dallas traveled to Phoenix to face a Suns team without their leading scorer in Devin Booker. The Mavs could never find their rhythm despite the season debut of Dirk Nowitzki and the return of Dennis Smith Jr. to the lineup.

Stat of the Game: The Mavs went 5 of 33 from the 3-point line.

Mavs Box: Five players finished in double-figures with Harrison Barnes leading the way with 15 points. DeAndre Jordan finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

Out: J.J. Barea

Read the full game recap here.

Sacramento 120, Dallas 113

In the home debut of Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks found their 11 game home streak coming to an end. Taking a big step forward from last season, the Kings back court of Buddy Hield and De’Aaron Fox currently have their team fighting for a playoff spot.

Stat of the Game: Hield and Fox combined for 56 points on 23-of-42 shooting.

Mavs Box: It was Luka Doncic who led the team in scoring with 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting. DeAndre Jordan had eight points and 23 rebounds while Matthews and Brunson combined for 25 points.

Out: Dennis Smith Jr., J.J. Barea

Read the full game recap here.

Play of the Week

Trae Young and Luka Doncic will forever be linked due to the draft night trade between the two franchises. Fans debate while both franchises seem to be happy with the results. The first matchup in Dallas between the two took center stage and this drive by Young ignited the fans in Dallas.

Doncic helps off his defender and swats the shot of Young at the basket. It was a huge energy play for the Mavericks in their 10th win at home.

Player of the Week

Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic isn’t just one of the best scorers on the team, but this past week Doncic put an imprint on other areas of the game with his rebounding and passing.

In the first game of the week, Doncic was on triple-double alert as the Mavs pulled away from the Magic. With the starters being pulled from the game early, Doncic would finish with seven points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

In the matchup vs. the Hawks at home, Doncic finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. In the two losses against Phoenix and Sacramento, Doncic combined for 41 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists.

Quote of the Week

This was a pretty glaring quote from a head coach of a franchise that passed on Luka Doncic in the NBA Draft.

Moment of the Week

Dirk Nowitzki Makes His Debut

For the first time in NBA history, a player has played in 21 seasons for one franchise.

Due to an offseason ankle surgery, Dirk Nowitzki’s 21st season debut has been pushed back over the first part of the season. On the second night of a back-to-back, Nowitzki made his debut in Phoenix off the bench. In his first shot of the game (and season), Nowitzki knocks down a jump shot over Josh Jackson.

Social Check In

https://twitter.com/MavsCare/status/1074062873964490752

Must Read

DeAndre Jordan Has Found His Free Throw Zone by Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer

“DeAndre Jordan is in the zone. After years of being hacked by opponents to force the 45.5 percent career free throw shooter to the line, Jordan is shooting a career-best 75.8 percent on free throws during his first season with the Dallas Mavericks. In his warm-up before a game against the Lakers last week in Los Angeles, Mavs assistant coach Jamahl Mosley shouted “Free throw zone!” when it was time for Jordan to begin a rapid-fire shooting drill…”

Read the full story here.

Record

This Week: 2-2

Overall: 15-13

Fast Forward

12/18 Dallas @ Denver

12/20 Dallas @ Los Angeles Clippers

12/22 Dallas @ Warriors

12/23 Dallas @  Portland

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