The Mavs can be happy they got away with it. Faced with a Portland team that was still as eye-catching, with Deni Avdija (29 points) and his lieutenants Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant (36 and 26 points), Dallas had to turn its back and pull away to go to overtime and finally win 138-133. This will allow Jason Kidd’s group to breathe a little after recent difficult weeks, marked by seven defeats in eight games and the ousting of GM Nico Harrison.
The duel was fierce until the end and the Blazers held off the Texans for almost the entire match. The first act quickly allowed Portland to show its intentions, with a solid defense and efficiency in attack. In a flash, Robert Williams III’s dunk and 3-pointers from Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara at the buzzer of the period allowed the Oregon franchise to take the lead (29-37). The notable entries of D’Angelo Russell and Klay Thompson, with his three 3-point baskets (and also Moussa Cissé), allowed Dallas to stay in touch until the break, with also the reinforcement of Daniel Gafford near the circle and PJ Washington from afar (57-61).
Cooper Flagg from shadow to light
Portland continued its offensive with a 9-0 during which Shaedon Sharpe shined again, in the alley-oop then with a left-handed lay-up in transition, served each time by Deni Avdija (61-70). To raise its head, Dallas was notably able to count on Cooper Flagg, discreet until then, and who regained momentum to allow his team to get back on track. After PJ Washington’s 3-pointer, it was he who fired from afar before offering a completely crazy counter-attack concluded with a 2+1 in front of Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija (70-75).
An action which heralded the start of the revolt, even if the Blazers had not said their last word! Kris Murray’s two 3-point baskets allowed Portland to attack the last act at +6 (85-91). PJ Washington had to try again from distance twice, then imitated by Max Christie in order to force destiny (96-100). Cooper Flagg then launched a final run that looked like the final bouquet on a 13-2 still marked by the arrows of the Christie-Washington pair (111-106).
Except that the lay-ups from Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija, then the three throws from Jerami Grant called everything into question. The missed throw, at the very end of the match, by Cooper Flagg was a reminder that the whole thing remained fragile. Portland had its chance to win the match on the last possession, very poorly negotiated by Deni Avdija (118-118). Dallas did not let his pass…
Daniel Gafford showed the way with a 2+1, Cooper Flagg made up for his missed shot at the very end of the game with two baskets before sending PJ Washington to burst the circle and explode the sound meter at the American Airlines Center (132-129). The deliverance arrived immediately, following the expulsion of Deni Avdija for six fouls and thanks to a final authoritarian lay-up signed Brandon Williams (136-131). The Mavs were hot but the main thing is there (138-133).
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Cooper you’re welcome. Each match allows you to learn more about the number 1 in the Draft, his resistance to pressure and in the face of difficulty. And the least we can say is that he has thick skin! In a difficult context, after a very timid first half, the winger was able to bounce back, scoring ten points in the third quarter – including this crazy counter-attack, between dribbling behind the back and acrobatic finishing under pressure – while being present in the “money-time” to finish the job and forget his missed throw. He finished as his team’s co-top scorer, second-best rebounder and third-best passer, all without losing a ball, and with victory as a bonus. Great character, the Cooper!
Jason Kidd played the piano. And the former leader is obviously a music lover. Because what also emerges from this success, in the absence of Anthony Davis (and Kyrie Irving), is the involvement of the entire team, with eight players at 9 points or more. The Mavs coach managed his rotations quite well, notably by bringing D’Angelo Russell and Klay Thompson off the bench to give his team a boost. Dallas needed everyone to overcome this decidedly difficult Portland formation to play, and all the Mavs mobilized.
The Mavs received 7/7. The Mavs came close to another defeat and activated the state of emergency in overtime. In five minutes, the Texans did not miss a shot, ending the “overtime” at 7/7 shooting!
Deni Avdija still not paid. This is starting to do a lot for Portland, which has already lost two matches down to the wire last week in Miami and then in Orlando, and which still finds itself with a match point without being able to win at the finish. Deni Avdija was once again the undisputed leader of the team, but Tiago Splitter’s choice not to call a time-out to allow him the last shot was catastrophic, ultimately resulting in a poor 3-point position and a bad shot. His expulsion for a sixth foul (very severe) in overtime ended the last hopes of the Blazers.
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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.
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