The Dallas Mavericks opened a three-game homestand against the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, and Indiana Pacers, all of whom were bottom-feeder opponents but had the potential to play spoiler, between Friday, November 6 to Monday, November 9. Read on for a closer look at the Mavs’ homestand.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz in NBA Cup Group Stage Game
The Dallas Mavericks welcomed the Utah Jazz to the American Airlines Center on Friday, Nov. 6 for an NBA Cup Group Stage game. Both teams exchanged pleasantries before tip-off, but only one team triumphed — and that was the Mavericks, who won 112-100 over the Jazz. Dallas improved to 5-4, while Utah fell to 1-8.
Santi Aldama made his season debut as the Mavericks looked to snap a two-game losing skid. The Mavericks’ starting lineup featured Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, Caleb Martin, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford.
The Jazz sought to end a six-game losing skid. The Jazz’s starting lineup highlighted Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaxson Hayes.
Both teams played in an action-packed first quarter. Cooper Flagg stole the ball and scored the putback. Lauri Markkanen hit a long-range three-pointer. Darryn Peterson became the only player in the Jazz’s history to have 100+ points, 30+ rebounds, and 30+ assists through eight games. The Jazz took a 28-26 lead to end the first.
Both teams’ momentum stayed intact through the second quarter. PJ Washington scored 22 points, including a rainbow three-pointer, in 18 minutes. Jaxson Hayes threw down a two-handed slam. Both teams were tied 57-57 at halftime.
Both teams shined in the third quarter. Cooper Flagg threw down a windmill dunk at the rim that showcased his athleticism and vertical leap. Lauri Markkanen hit his seventh three-pointer of the game in the opening minutes. The Mavs took an 89-76 lead after three quarters.
The Mavs picked up the pace in the fourth quarter. Naji Marshall stole the ball and threw it down in a dramatic display of athleticism and confidence. Darryn Peterson achieved a career-high 21 points. Keyonte George played a balanced game. The Mavs’ clutch play made up for their shooting woes, while the Jazz’s defense faltered.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Dallas Mavericks hosted the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Center on Sunday, Nov. 8. Both teams wanted to win, but only one team prevailed — and that was the Mavericks, who won 130-93 over the Nets, on Pride Night. Dallas improved to 6-4, while Brooklyn fell to 2-8.
The Mavs entered Sunday’s matchup with a one-game winning streak in hand. The Mavericks’ starting lineup featured Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, Caleb Martin, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford.
The Nets looked to avoid a two-game losing skid after dropping a 124-121 decision to the Atlanta Hawks at the State Farm Arena on Saturday, Nov. 7. The Nets’ starting lineup highlighted Nolan Traore, Danny Wolf, Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, and Day’Ron Sharpe.
Both teams played a high-energy first quarter. Kyrie Irving showcased his range by hitting a long-range three pointer from beyond the arc against his former team, the Nets, whom he played for from 2019 to 2023. Daniel Gafford played high-quality defense by deflecting the ball. Michael Porter Jr. scored 15 points. The Mavs took a 33-26 lead to end the first.
The second quarter shifted in favor of the Mavericks. Cooper Flagg shined with multiple notable plays, like when he knocked down a three-pointer from deep. Flagg also started a sequence that Naji Marshall completed with a shot from beyond the arc. The Mavs took a 66-46 lead into halftime.
The Mavericks maintained momentum in the third quarter. Kyrie Irving turned heads by hitting a basket off a turnover. Daniel Gafford delivered by throwing down a one-handed rim rocker. The Mavs took a 100-71 lead after three quarters.
The Mavericks remained in the driver’s seat in the fourth quarter, while the Nets’ defense faltered. Naji Marshall stunned the home crowd by throwing a long-distance, full-court pass to Kyrie Irving, who made a rim shot that dropped in the net.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Indiana Pacers
The Dallas Mavericks concluded the homestand against the Indiana Pacers at the American Airlines Center on Monday, Nov. 9. Both teams wanted to secure a win, but only one team triumphed — and that was the Mavericks who won 125-122 over the Pacers. Dallas improved to 7-4, while Indiana fell to 3-8.
The Mavericks sought a two-game winning streak following a 130-93 blowout of the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, Nov. 8. The Mavericks’ starting lineup featured Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, Caleb Martin, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford.
The Pacers looked to snap a one-game losing skid after a 114-102 loss to the Denver Nuggets at the Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 7. The Pacers’ starting lineup highlighted Aaron Nesmith, Ivica Zubac, Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Braden Smith.
Both teams played an intense first quarter. Cooper Flagg hit a deep three-pointer from the corner. Flagg got the steal and threw down a two-handed jam twice, helping the Mavs go on a 9-0 run. Andrew Nembhard, the older brother of former Mavs guard Ryan Nembhard, wrapped around and hit Ivica Zubac down low for the dunk. The Pacers took a 31-26 lead to end the first quarter.
The Mavs picked up the pace in the second quarter, tying the game 48-48 with roughly five minutes left. Kyrie Irving hit a three-pointer that impressed the home crowd. But the Pacers maintained momentum. Obi Toppin found Kelly Oubre Jr. cutting to the hoop. Pascal Siakam delivered with a 26-point first half, along with six rebounds and four assists. The Pacers took a 66-56 lead into halftime.
The Mavs applied offensive pressure to keep the game close in the third quarter, but the Pacers maintained the lead. Kyrie Irving threw a pass to Santi Aldama, who scored on a tip-in. Pascal Siakam drove and kicked to Kelly Oubre Jr. The Pacers took a 93-90 lead after three quarters.
The Mavs took the lead in the fourth quarter, while the Pacers’ offense slowed down. Daniel Gafford went coast-to-coast for an and-one. Aaron Nesmith struggled with his shooting efficiency, both from the field and from the three-point line.
Next Steps
The Dallas Mavericks open a three-game road trip against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Central, Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, and Boston Celtics on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Eastern, respectively.
The Mavericks are unlikely to win all three games in this weekend’s road trip, but their chances to win at least one game is modest. The Mavs’ injuries go hand-in-hand with their depth — a major factor in their chances.
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