'Dog S***': 3 Big Takeaways From Mavs' Embarrassing Loss to Hornets
There are no guaranteed wins in the NBA, and that was surely proved in Dallas on Friday night.
The Dallas Mavericks suffered their most embarrassing and deflating loss on Friday night to the Charlotte Hornets, 117-109. The loss dropped Dallas to 36-38 and out of the play-in picture for the moment.
Despite both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving being back in the lineup, the Mavs couldn't get the job done and fell from the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference to the No. 11 seed in the lottery.
From the jump, despite being on the second night of a back-to-back, the Hornets came out with more energy and effort as the Mavericks looked lackadaisical on both ends of the floor, giving up 37 first-quarter points to Charlotte.
Though a second-half effort from Doncic was commendable, who finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, it wasn't enough down the stretch as old pal Dennis Smith Jr. and the Hornets put the Mavs to bed late in the fourth.
Here are the 3 big takeaways from tonight's loss.
No Defense ... Surprise, Surprise
None.
Again, when you allow 37 first-quarter points to a team like the Hornets, who are trying to rack up losses, you deserve to lose.
"It was awful," Jason Kidd said postgame. "Dog s***."
It sure smelled like it.
Granted, we all know this team isn't full of defensive stoppers or even above-average defenders, but to just try on that end of the floor isn't hard. Effort has a lot to do with defensive performance, and the Mavs don't show enough of it on a nightly basis.
Showing pride in defending your basket and your home floor is not that hard.
Now, if Dallas make their way into the play-in tournament and earns a playoff spot, they know they'll have to outscore people, but being a turnstile on defense each and every possession, won't help you advance.
Aside From Defense, Mavs Lacked a Little of Everything Else
From the tip, the Mavericks came out slow with little to no effort against a team who is vying for lottery position. You'd think a team led by Doncic and Irving would come out knowing every game, specifically a game against the Hornets, is a must-win to hold onto their play-in standings, but the night didn't turn out that way.
"Probably should have been booed in the first quarter, just the effort in the play," Kidd said of the first quarter.
The effort? Non-existent. The morale? Heads down, feeling sorry for themselves. The leadership? What leadership?
“It’s really frustrating," Doncic said. "I think you can see it with me on the court. Sometimes I don't feel it’s me. I'm just being out there, you know? I used to have really fun smiling on court, but it's just been so frustrating for a lot of reasons, not just basketball.”
When asked bout what else was bothering him, Doncic cited personal reasons and left it at that.
Whatever Doncic is going through, the Mavs need to hope he can work through it sooner than later. If not, the team will be going on summer vacation after eight more regular-season games.
So ... What's Next?
Well, the Mavs take a trip to Charlotte to face these same 'juggernaut' Hornets on Sunday evening.
Something has to change in these final eight games – whether it be a new voice stepping up and saying something in the locker room or something else, the Mavs just need something to light a fire under them.
Kidd might need to make changes to the rotation and input guys like Theo Pinson, Markieff Morris and yes, even JaVale McGee to light some type of spark. Or ... in a more drastic scenario, could it possibly time for another coaching change in Dallas less than two years after hiring Kidd?
Luckily for Dallas, if there was any ounce of luck left, the Lakers and Thunder played each other on Friday, and both the Jazz and Pelicans have tough matchups on Saturday night, so when the Mavericks wake up on Sunday morning, the standings could look more in their favor.
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