Final: Mavs 130, Lakers 123

Box Score | Highlights

Behind the Box Score

Dennis Smith Jr. extended his streak of double-digit scoring games to 20 tonight, which ties Mavs great Mark Aguirre for the third-longest run by a rookie in franchise history. Next up on the list is Jamal Mashburn, who did so in 23 straight games during the 1993-94 campaign.

Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 22 points tonight, including his first dunk of the season. (!!!!)

[wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dirk-dunk.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

Dwight Powell has now scored at least 17 points in three of his last four games.

This was the fourth regulation game this season when both the Mavs and their opponent scored 120+ points. The last time that even happened three times in a season for Dallas was 1989-90. The Mavs’ 130 points were the most they’ve scored in a regulation game since April 1, 2015, at Oklahoma City.

Notebook

  • Dennis Smith Jr. kept his double-digit scoring streak alive, but tonight he took on much more of a facilitating role than we’re used to seeing. Lately he’s really worked to create shots for himself, but in this game he made it a point to move the ball. It resulted in a couple nice finds, including a rare lob.

    [wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dsj-to-maxi.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

    Soon after that, Smith passed to his German teammate with a little more pizzazz.

    [wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dsj-to-maxi-fancy.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

    It’s always difficult for a point guard to find the balance between hunting for shots and seeking out teammates, Smith is eventually going to find that balance. Some nights he’s going to do both at a high level. Some nights he might do one more than the other. It’s all part of the growing process for the 20-year-old rookie.

  • Harrison Barnes went through a long stretch in January when he wasn’t getting to the free throw line as often as he would’ve liked — during that 12-game span, he averaged only 2.2 free throw attempts per game. But tonight he got to the line seven times, tying for his most attempts in a game since all the way back on Nov. 29. Barnes got off to a strong start from deep and in the mid-range, and from then on was in attack mode, seeking out driving lanes whenever possible against overzealous closeouts.

  • Doug McDermott made his Mavs debut in this game, and he made some really nice plays considering this was his first time on the floor with his new teammates. His first points, for example, came on a fast break dunk. Later on, he attacked a hard closeout and threw down a dunk.

    [wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mcdermott-dunk.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

    Once the Lakers saw that, it was clear that they wouldn’t give him the red-carpet treatment the next time he wanted to get to the rim. So, when that happened, McDermott looked for the pass and found Dwight Powell for an alley-oop.

    [wp_hyena imageurl=’https://www.mavs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mcdermott-dunk.gif’ data_hyena='{“slate”:”300,0.10,15″,”player_fade_speed”:”500″,”control_opacity”:”0,0.9″,”fade_speed”:”250,250″,”style”:2}’]

    McDermott finished with eight points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal in his first game in Dallas.

    What’s Next

    The Mavs (18-38) will play the Houston Rockets (41-13) on Sunday at the Toyota Center at 6 p.m. Central.

  • Share and comment

    More Mavs News