Club Maverick
Buy Tickets
Tickets
Team
Schedule
Shop
Media
MavsTV
Community
Game Night
Mavs Academy
Faq
Interactive

Final: Raptors 122, Mavs 115

Box Score | Highlights

Behind the Box Score

The Mavs took a 60-54 lead into the halftime break. It was just the sixth time this season Toronto has allowed at least 60 points through two quarters in 34 home games.

Dirk Nowitzki became just the eighth player in NBA history to make 11,000 field goals in a career. The next inactive player ahead of him on the list is Shaquille O’Neal in sixth place at 11,330. (LeBron James is in seventh place and is therefore still climbing the chart as well.) Should Nowitzki return for season No. 21, he’d likely pass O’Neal so long as he plays a healthy load of games like he has so far this season.

Notebook

  • Harrison Barnes continued playing very good basketball in this one, finishing with a team-leading 27 points on 20 shots. He’s been in a nice groove these last couple games and has done it by getting to the rim, no matter the defender. Barnes was averaging more than seven free throw attempts per game in his last 10 before tonight, and while he didn’t get to seven attempts in this contest, he was still able to put consistent pressure on the defense by putting the ball on the floor and making things happen. His late turnover when the game was tied at 106 hurt, no question about it, but he was still able to put together a brilliant performance to keep his team in it down the stretch as the Raptors launched a comeback on their home floor.

  • I was stunned to learn that Doug McDermott’s career-high for assists in a game heading into this one was just four. He’s been a reserve player for much of his career, but what makes it pretty surprising is seeing just how good a passer he is. He made a couple sweet finds tonight coming off of screens, where you can really see just how much opposing defenders respect his jump shot. First there was a lob pass to Nerlens Noel.

    [wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/mcdermott-to-nerlens.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

    And then McDimes found Dirk Nowitzki for a long 2-pointer. (How many players will defenders leave Dirk open for?)

    [wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/mcdermott-to-dirk.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

    Finally in the fourth quarter, McDermott found a cutting Jameel Warney for a layup with a perfectly placed bounce pass.

    [wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/mcdermott-to-warney.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

    That one was pure skill, as defenders weren’t overplaying his jumper. In fact, that pass didn’t really even come out of a set play; it’s hard to tell based on when the gif starts, but this was almost a broken-play situation for Dallas. McDermott and Warney were basically improvising at this point but were still able to connect and create an easy layup.

  • Nerlens Noel was perhaps more active tonight than he’s been in any game since his return, and he’s had some really nice games since coming back. Tonight, though, he played like a man possessed on the defensive end, racking up five steals and three blocks while adding six points, six rebounds, and three assists. Noel has always had high steal numbers among his fellow centers, but what sets him apart is his ability to poke the ball away from defenders on the perimeter and also be able to stuff their shot on the inside. He’s got a rare combination of quick hands and tremendous shot-blocking instinct. Once he learns to harness his powers, he could become one of the most fearsome multi-talented defenders in the NBA. Remember, he’s only 23 years old.

  • Dorian Finney-Smith destroyed the rim tonight.

    [wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FINNEY-SMITH.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

    Dennis Smith Jr. has had some beauties, but this one might be the dunk of the season. Finney-Smith took on the tallest defender on the floor and won. An incredible display of explosiveness, athleticism, and complete confidence. Not only was this cool, but it also gives you real reason to believe that Finney-Smith’s injury worries are a thing of the past. He’s played well since coming back from his lengthy absence.

    What’s Next

    The Mavs (22-47) will play the Brooklyn Nets (21-47) on Friday at the Barclays Center at 6:30 p.m. Central.

    • Share and comment

    More Mavs News