Mavericks Scrimmage Recaps

Some NBA players opted out of playing in Orlando because of either an injury, a personal or family problem or because they had contracted COVID-19. For Dallas Willie Cauley-Stein opted out due to the fact that his partner will be having a child in the near future. Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson will also not be playing in the NBA restart. The former Villanova guard suffered a shoulder injury after being fouled hard earlier this season. Courtney Lee is also one of the players that will miss out on playing in Orlando due to a calf injury that he suffered while working out during the NBA hiatus.

Game 1: Los Angeles Lakers

In the first game back the Mavericks were faced with a tough task playing the western conference leaders, the Los Angeles Lakers. In the first scrimmage game for each team they only played 10 minute quarters but that did not stop both teams from putting up over 100 points. The Mavericks upset LA in this game 108 to 104. Mavericks guard Seth Curry was a main reason Dallas got the win in this game going six for six from three point range and scoring 23 points in only 16 minutes of play. Fan favorite center Boban Marjonavic also played a great game with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Mavericks star Luka Doncic had 14 points, five rebounds and six assists in the 17 minutes he played. For the Lakers Lebron James and Anthony Davis both scored 12 points in 15 minutes they each played. 

Game 2: Indiana Pacers

Game two of the restart did not go as well as the first game verse the Lakers did with the Pacers winning 118-111. Dallas ended the first quarter up by 11 points but could not keep the lead very long, at halftime the Pacers had taken a 1 point lead. In the third quarter Indiana largened their lead and then kept the lead in the fourth quarter.

For Dallas Luka Doncic led the way in scoring with 20 points in the 25 minutes he played. Center Maxi Kleber also played well with 18 points. Kristaps Porzingis did miss out on this game because he missed the daily testing that day so was unable to participate in the game. If Porzingis did play in this game you might have seen a different outcome. Indiana was led by T.J. Warren’s 20 point 7 rebound performance. Victor Oladipo had 16 points and Malcolm Brogdan had 17 points, six assists and seven rebounds to also help Indiana claim a victory over Dallas. This game put the Mavericks scrimmage record to one and one while making the Pacers two and zero.

Game 3: Philadelphia 76ers

Dallas started the final scrimmage game off pretty well holding the 76ers to only 13 points in the first quarter, while scoring 24 points in the quarter. Kristaps Porzingis led the Mavericks with 13 points in the first quarter. At halftime the Mavericks had a nine point lead with Luka Doncic scoring nine points in the second quarter. In the third quarter Philadelphia scored 41 points and took an 80 to 74 lead. Throughout the final quarter Dallas cut the lead down until they took back their lead with one minute remaining in the game. With 18 second left, Mike Scott tied the game up for Philadelphia. With the game tied JJ Barea had the opportunity to hit a game winner but airballed the shot to send the game to overtime. Throughout overtime the game was very close but Dallas ended up pulling away with a 118-115 victory.

Luka Doncic led the scoring for Dallas with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Kristaps Porzingis also put up good numbers with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Tobias Harris scored 28 points leading the scoring for Philadelphia. Philadelphia’s all star Joel Embiid missed out on the final scrimmage with right calf tightness.

What’s Next?

After finishing the scrimmages with a record of two and one, the Mavericks will play against the Houston Rockets on Friday at 9pm EST on ESPN. That game will be the first of eight seeding games that Dallas will play in before the start of the NBA playoffs.

*Featured Image courtesy of Sky Sports*