Dennis Smith Jr. Explains His Incredible Game-Winner
Dennis Smith Jr. delivered the key bucket that led the Mavs to a victory in their home opener. He explains what gave him the confidence to take that shot and the rest of his 19-point night.
This is the type of possession that, despite the Mavs’ very good defensive rebound percentage, would too often have resulted in two (or more) points for the opponent last season. Dallas was a top-10 defensive rebound percentage team last season, but it seemed like if an opponent got one offensive rebound, they were going to score no matter what. Jordan represents a shift in that idea because he has quick second hops and doesn’t give up on the play. Sure, the Wolves could have scored a put-back lay-in, but the shot rimmed out. Typically Taj Gibson or someone else may have pulled down a board and earned another opportunity, but Jordan ended the possession then and there. He followed it up shortly after with another authoritative rebound.
Jordan’s third quarter stat line impresses (eight points, four blocks, two rebounds) but it doesn’t quite capture how physically dominant he was in the frame. He brings a unique brand of imposing toughness and athleticism that they’ve been missing in the middle since the Tyson Chandler days.
😎 pic.twitter.com/vJOYKM7Xvv
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) October 21, 2018
His most significant work, though, came in the fourth quarter, when a couple late buckets helped Dallas fend off a frenzied, Towns-led Wolves push to cut the lead down to one point. Doncic turned it over six times compared to just three assists, yet many of those giveaways are correctable mistakes, and seeing as it was only his second NBA game, I think it’s fair to give him a little time before we start expecting 25-plus points and a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
DENNIS! pic.twitter.com/vTnisKcqDu
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) October 21, 2018
Smith scored 19 points, which in a game like this comes across as a quiet night. But he took over the fourth quarter, scoring 10 points, adding four assists, and finishing a team-best +7. He shot 6 of 8 on 2-pointers, finishing a couple difficult shots at the rim in the process and even earning five free throws, though most of them came in the waning seconds of the game. Still, Smith played with purpose and poise in the fourth quarter in this game. Offense still flows through the point guard, even in today’s versatile playmaking NBA. When Smith is as effective as he was down the stretch, he alone can lift all the other boats right up with him.
The Mavs (1-1) will face the Chicago Bulls on Monday at American Airlines Center. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.
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