Three days removed from a 5 a.m. Central tipoff on the other side of the world, the Mavericks were back at American Airlines Center. The turnaround showed.
New Orleans beat Dallas 101-97 in a game considerably uglier than the final margin suggests. The Mavericks pushed late and cut into the deficit in the fourth quarter but never got over the hump.
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Dallas ruled out eight players, including Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford and Marcus Sasser. Jett Howard was out with an illness, while Santi Aldama and Dereck Lively II remain sidelined following offseason surgeries. Dusty May said beforehand that Friday’s preseason finale against Atlanta would serve as the dress rehearsal, which explains why Wednesday’s lineup leaned so heavily on two-way players and end-of-bench pieces.
The results were predictable. Dallas committed 25 turnovers, shot 35.7 percent from the field and went 10-of-49 from 3-point range. That last number is worth sitting with. The Mavericks have clearly committed to launching from deep under May, attempting 49 3-pointers after putting up 51 in the China opener. However, Wednesday’s 20.4 percent conversion rate is not sustainable for any team.
The frontcourt situation got worse before halftime. Moussa Cisse, who started at center, tweaked his left ankle in the first half and did not return. That left Dwight Powell as the only available listed center on the roster, but Powell did not play because of a coach’s decision.
Insider Marc Stein reported that the injury was not considered serious.
“I’m told the Moussa Cissé ankle injury is not regarded as serious, but the Mavericks have opted to have him sit out tonight’s second half as a precaution,” Stein wrote.
That was the right call given how thin Dallas is at the position, though frontcourt availability is becoming a theme. Lively is still working back from December foot surgery, Aldama is recovering from a March knee procedure, and now Cissé has an ankle injury. Gafford is the only center who has avoided trouble.
Cissé was productive before exiting, finishing with eight points on 3-of-6 shooting, six rebounds, three blocks and a steal in 16 minutes. Four of his rebounds came on the offensive glass.
The first quarter offered the cleanest stretch of the night. Naji Marshall and Max Christie both looked sharp early before New Orleans settled in and took control.
Tobi Lawal gave the building its best moments. The second-round pick scored 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting and went a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. He added four rebounds and a steal in 23 minutes before fouling out with six fouls.
John Poulakidas matched him with 16 points, and his performance was more efficient from the field. The guard went 5-of-9 overall and 4-of-8 from 3-point range, providing all of Dallas’ perimeter shooting essentially. Seth Lundy added 13 points.
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Sergio de Larrea logged a game-high 30 minutes and finished with 10 points, six assists and four rebounds, though he committed five turnovers. He also went 2-of-3 from the field, bringing him to 6-of-9 shooting through three preseason games. His efficiency has been one of the most impressive parts of his preseason, showing he can make the most of his scoring opportunities while adjusting to NBA pressure. Turnovers remain an area for growth, but the rookie's feel for the game and efficient finishing have given Dallas reasons to be optimistic.
Zaccharie Risacher struggled, going 3-of-11 from the field and missing all seven of his 3-point attempts. Tarik Biberovic had a similar night, shooting 3-of-12 overall and 1-of-9 from deep. P.J. Washington did not make a shot in 16 minutes.
Dallas falls to 1-2 in the preseason. The Mavericks host Atlanta on Friday, when May’s regulars should see extended minutes, before opening the regular season Oct. 21 in Houston.