Preseason game preview: New Orleans Hornets (3-2) at Dallas Mavericks (2-3)
Preseason game preview: New Orleans Hornets (3-2) at Dallas Mavericks (2-3)
DALLAS — Playing without two of their projected starters going into this season, the Dallas Mavericks failed to look in sync Saturday night in Atlanta while suffering a 110-94 thumping at the hands of the Hawks.
But, despite the lopsided loss, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle didn’t sound discouraged even after the team fell to 2-3 this exhibition season.
Playing for a fourth straight time without 11-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, who is slated to miss approximately six weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery, Carlisle’s crew didn’t lack effort against the up-tempo Atlanta squad. Instead, with center Chris Kaman also out of action due to a strained right calf, the Mavs just simply didn’t have enough size to equal Atlanta’s physicality.
With Kaman’s ruled out for Monday night, size and physicality could become issues for the Mavs early this season due to Nowitzki's absence. Still, even after having to utilize several small-ball lineups Saturday night, Carlisle doesn’t seem too alarmed with the season opener just eight days away.
“You lose a 7-footer that can make eight out of 10 shots from anywhere on the court when he’s open, you’re losing a significant guy,” Carlisle confessed. “So, our game is gonna look different and we’ve got guys that we need to get integrated. … We’ve got some time left, but we’ve got work to do.
“[The Hawks] are a very physical team. The way we’re presently structured, we’re not a very physical team,” he added. “We’re more of a get-it-and-get-up-the-court team. When it came to the physical aspect of the game, they had an advantage and they took advantage of us.”
The Mavs hope that same statement doesn’t ring true back on their home floor at the American Airlines Center on Monday night, welcoming in No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony Davis and a New Orleans Hornets squad they’ll face off with four times during the regular season.
Behind their coveted young big man, the Hornets (3-2) have looked like a team that could make some noise in the Southwest Division this season and for years to come. Meanwhile, the Mavs will try to equal their effort in the second half against the Hawks, when the Dallas team overcame 20 points off their 12 first-half turnovers.
“We came out a little flat, but I think the way we came out of halftime we've gotta come out (to start the game) that way -- scrappy on defense, having a purpose on offense. It worked out for us," rookie Jae Crowder said following his third straight double-figure scoring game and after being inserted into the starting lineup at power forward.
“The turnovers in the first half killed us, because we had 12 for 20 points and that’s the difference,” Carlisle echoed. “I don’t see a lack of effort, I just see a bunch of guys that need to keep playing together and I’ve gotta do a better job with them. I mean, that’s where it’s at. … In the next few days, we’ve got a lot more work to do to make sure that we’re learning how to play together and we’re doing the things that we have to do to be more efficient with the ball, ‘cause if you turn it over 12 times in the first half of any game, you’re gonna be behind. Simple as that.”
Note: The Mavericks return to action Monday night at home against No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Hornets. The game will air on TXA 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for the game are still remaining and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS or by visiting Mavs.com.
