Tanking Mavs Clinch Playoff Elimination Using Loss vs. Bulls
DALLAS — Before the Dallas Mavericks squared off against the Chicago Bulls in their Friday night matchup, it was explained to reporters by coach Jason Kidd that management has opted to sit key players. As they sat 11th in the Western Conference standings, management chose to throw in the towel. The Mavs ultimately lost 115-112, officially clinching playoff elimination.
It was announced hours before tipoff that Kyrie Irving (right foot injury recovery), Josh Green (rest), Tim Hardaway Jr. (left ankle soreness), Maxi Kleber (right hamstring injury recovery) and Christian Wood (rest) all were ruled out.
"We want to have the opportunity to find a way to get in. We were going to play until told otherwise," Kidd said. "And today is the day that we've been told that we're going to do something different."
While Luka Doncic wasn't outright ruled out, he was supposed to play for only the first quarter, then his night would be over. He stayed on the floor for a small portion of the second quarter, likely for the purpose of fouling to create a dead-ball situation for a standing ovation. He played 13 minutes, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
"He's going to play the first quarter and then he's done for the season," Kidd said before the game.
While management may have wanted to tank, the players with something to prove didn't seem to get the memo. They often lead by double-figures in the second quarter and entered the locker room at halftime being up by 13 points. Coming out of the break, they deployed a lineup consisting of McKinley Wright IV, Frank Ntilikina, A.J. Lawson, Reggie Bullock, and Davis Bertans.
When Ayo Dosunmu converted a mid-range pull-up midway through the third quarter, it cut the Mavs' lead to just seven. It was a needed sign of progress for the Mavs' tanking efforts to concede the double-figure lead that had been lingering for much of the game to this point. As the Mavs' lead continued to be trimmed, they led by just six points entering the final period.
In what proved to be an impressive salvaging effort of the Mavs' tanking efforts, the team was outscored comfortably for much of the final period. An 18-2 run by the Bulls solidified a five-point lead with under five minutes left to play. It was a close call after Lawson's 3-pointer cut the Bulls' lead to just two points with 2:18 left in regulation. Ultimately, Chicago held on to achieve victory.
The final game of the Mavs' regular season will occur on Sunday afternoon when they take on the San Antonio Spurs.
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