The Mavericks used a big third quarter, winning the frame 32-16, to erase a big Nuggets lead and turn it into a 74-66 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Dallas scored 1.333 points per possession in the quarter, using some hot 3-point shooting and four offensive rebounds to pile up points quickly despite shooting just 46.2 percent from the floor.
[wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dsj-lefty.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]
[wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dsj-lefty-2.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]
Smith has also become a better player in transition, which has certainly been a well-chronicled development in this article series. This play was particularly nice.
[wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dsj-transition-leap.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]
There’s no question Smith is explosive, but now he’s becoming better at timing his leaps. He also used his body as a shield a couple different times to create separation or fend off a potential shot-blocker. Those traits in combination are very, very dangerous.
The Mavs (16-34) will play the Miami Heat (27-21) on Monday at American Airlines Center at 7:30 p.m. Central.
Share and comment