Mavs coach Jason Kidd couldn't help but have a touch of humor before the game : “In Pop's absence, they all start shooting a lot further. He has to come back quickly but, more seriously, we know that Victor Wembanyama is very skillful and that no one can block his shot”.
Except that the Spurs, back to back in Dallas after an inaugural defeat in the “NBA Cup” against the Lakers at homepreferred, for the first time this season, to leave the French star to rest, following a knee shock with Anthony Davis. The Alamo City protégés, also deprived of Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan, were able to count on the return of Tre Jones to business (19 minutes, 3 points) but that was not enough to resist the Mavs down the stretch ( defeat 110-93).
A fatal second half for Spurs
Long in contact with the last finalists of the Western Conference, the Spurs – although in the lead in the second quarter – ended up paying for their lack of skill at the end of the match (28/88 on shots, or 31.8% success) . “I loved the fight and the energy that we were able to put in from the start. We played with rhythm but the 3rd quarter was fatal because we were unable to continue our efforts »underlines Mitch Johnson, who also appreciated the contribution of Zach Collins (20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks in 26 minutes).
Kyrie Irving (22 points on 9/15 shots, 8 rebounds and 6 assists in 28 minutes) and Daniel Gafford (22 points on 9/10 shots, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks in 18 minutes) ensured upon returning from the locker room, even relegating their Texan neighbors to 26 points at the start of the 4th quarter.
“We had to force them to drive and prevent them from scoring 3-pointers (11/40): that was really what we had to do to not give them second chances”comments Daniel Gafford after the meeting.
Despite Sandro Mamukelashvili's 14 points, the Spurs were never able to catch up and conceded their eighth defeat of the season in fourteen games while the Mavs returned to victory after four defeats in a row. “It’s as if we no longer have the weight of the world on our shoulders”says Daniel Gafford. “We found a way to overcome these obstacles together, as a team. »
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Dallas dominates in the paint. The Mavs took advantage of the absence of the Spurs' control tower, Victor Wembanyama, to score 56 points of their 110 points in the paint (compared to 32 for the Spurs).
– The Mavericks are breathing. Four consecutive defeats, botched ends to the match, Luka Doncic's defense under fire… The atmosphere was gloomy in Dallas in recent days, but the reigning finalists were able to reassure themselves with this controlled victory against the Spurs, in this lopsided Texas derby.
– Sidy Cissoko picks up the crumbs. Taking advantage of a squad decimated by injuries, the Frenchman enjoyed his most playing time of the season, without however taking advantage of it. In six minutes, the native of Saint-Maurice grabbed two rebounds, took a single shot and missed his two free throws…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
