‘Less Taxing Mentally And Physically’: Dusty May On Dallas Mavericks’ 130-93 Win Over Brooklyn Nets Before Indiana Pacers Visit
DALLAS — No Dallas Mavericks player logged more than 29 minutes Sunday night in a 130-93 win over the Brooklyn Nets at American Airlines Center, the first game of a home back-to-back. Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, and Caleb Martin did not play in the fourth quarter.
Cooper Flagg opened the fourth with a 3-pointer and checked out for good with 8:28 left. Mavericks coach Dusty May said players were already packing up for treatment when he walked into the locker room.
“I’d love to do this every night if possible,” May said. “No, obviously, to not have to go to the wire, it’s less taxing mentally and physically, and we were able to play some guys and, when we got to the locker room, there were already players ready to hit the road and get out, get their treatment and leave.”
“So hopefully they get a good night’s rest,” May continued. “We can come in and replicate this energy tomorrow night. I thought our crowd was awesome as well.”
Dusty May On Four Consistent Quarters
Dallas won every quarter, by 7, 13, 9, and 8 points. A lot of different players contributed, May said.
“I think for the first time this year, we strung together four pretty consistent, well-played quarters,” May explained. “As far as where we are in the season, a lot of different guys contributed. Thought we shared the ball, thought we did a nice job on the glass, and managed to win the shots battle. And overall, just a good home win in front of our fans.”
The Mavericks shot a season-best 57.1% from the field. They also turned the ball over 21 times, and Brooklyn converted those into 25 points.
May said Dallas got to the line and made its free throws, going 20-of-22.
“Obviously, if we shoot the ball like that with the way we’re defending now, we’re gonna have a chance to win each and every night,” May said. “But some nights the ball’s not gonna drop. We made our free throws. We got to the line. We still have some work to do as far as not turning the ball over when you’re shooting like we are. If we manage to clean up some of those turnovers, I think we still have a jump to make.”
Dallas Mavericks’ Bench Carries Minutes Before Indiana Pacers Visit
Every available Maverick played. Dallas’ reserves scored 58 points to Brooklyn’s 31, led by Santi Aldama’s 12 and Zaccharie Risacher’s 11.
Risacher grabbed all 6 of his rebounds in the fourth quarter, and Walter Clayton Jr. had 6 assists. Naji Marshall added 8 points. May said back-to-backs and road trips call for as many available bodies as possible.
“I think we’re getting great bench play,” May said. “Once again, I thought Santi and Walt, Naji and Zacch got it going there at the end. … And then that group that finished the game, I thought played really, really well.”
“So, as we know, with back-to-backs in these games, these road trips, we need as many live bodies as possible,” May noted. “And then we just got to go with whoever has it going that particular night, and figure out a way to win each and every game.”
The Indiana Pacers (3-7) lost 114-102 to Denver in Mexico City on Saturday. Dallas beat the Pacers 121-105 in Indianapolis on Oct. 23, when a 22-6 first-quarter run put the Mavericks ahead 44-27 after one.
Indiana visits American Airlines Center at 7 p.m. CT on Monday. Dallas then plays at Minnesota on Thursday, at Cleveland on Saturday, and at Boston on Sunday.
