HOUSTON — Jason Kidd was requested throughout his pregame press convention Wednesday if there have been any particular areas he wish to see the workforce enhance within the new 12 months.
“Well being,” he mentioned.
In a season marked by accidents and diseasesThe Mavericks suffered one other blow to their depth in a 110-99 loss to the Houston Rockets.
PJ Washington Jr. didn’t return to the sport after struggling a sprained proper knee within the remaining seconds of the second quarter. Washington tried to contest a layup from Rockets guard Jalen Inexperienced and landed awkwardly. He cautiously returned to the locker room, however grimaced all through his trot. He was dominated out shortly after the beginning of the third quarter as Maxi Kleber began the second half in his place.
Nevertheless, Washington’s absence within the second half was not the explanation the Mavericks suffered their third straight loss.
Dallas turned the ball over excessively and could not get to the free throw line sufficient to maintain up with Houston’s aggression on each ends of the courtroom. The Mavericks gave the ball away greater than 20 occasions, main to twenty factors for the Rockets. As for the free throw disparity, the Mavericks made 14 free throw makes an attempt with simply 5 conversions. Houston made 18 of 23 from the stripe.
“Returns,” Kidd mentioned. “For those who don’t get photographs in opposition to Houston, it’s going to be powerful. We’ve got to deal with the ball. I believed we began the sport effectively, however in that first half we despatched them to the free throw line so much. We made lots of errors, particularly throughout this primary quarter.
Add the Mavericks’ restricted success fee on New 12 months’s Day into the equation and you find yourself with what occurred on Wednesday. Dallas entered with a 3-5 report in video games performed on the primary day of the 12 months they usually have now misplaced thrice within the final 5 New 12 months’s Day video games.
Quentin Grimes led the Mavericks with 17 factors and 5 rebounds coming off the bench. The fourth-year goalie had further motivation to carry out effectively on Wednesday. Grimes was again in his hometown of Houston and gave the group loads of alternatives to “ooh” and “aah” within the second quarter. Grimes’ most spectacular play was a person counterattack that included a behind-the-back dribble in a contested end along with his left hand.
Klay Thompson added 16 factors and 5 rebounds in his return to the lineup. He set the stage within the first quarter with a scorching begin to the match. He stopped three consecutive photographs, together with two 3-pointers. After lacking one recreation resulting from sickness, Thompson was an enormous purpose the Mavericks took a 10-point lead. Nevertheless, Thompson accounted for 5 of the Mavericks’ turnovers.
“It’s my fault. I can’t have 5 turnovers,” Thompson mentioned. “I had some uncommon turnovers. I’ve to be extra certain with the ball. I will probably be higher in a couple of days in opposition to an excellent workforce. Get a possibility to bounce again.
The Rockets took management of the sport with a 25-9 rating within the second quarter. Houston scored 37 factors within the interval and remained in management for the remainder of the night time.
Kyrie Irving sat out Monday’s loss at Sacramento due to proper shoulder soreness, however returned Wednesday in his first recreation since a 46-point outburst in opposition to Portland. That very same offensive effectivity did not carry over to Oregon.
Irving was held to only 16 factors, seven rebounds and 7 assists on Wednesday. He solely had 13 makes an attempt, nevertheless it wasn’t as a result of he struggled to shoot. The veteran star was defended effectively by Rockets ahead Dillon Brooks. He made 4 turnovers to contribute to the Mavericks’ excessive giveaway depend. As stunning as it could appear, Irving has by no means scored 20 factors on New 12 months’s Day. His career-high on New 12 months’s Day is eighteen factors, which occurred in 2021.
Mavericks middle Derek Energetic II returned from a three-game absence resulting from a left hip contusion. He was initially scheduled to be on a 15-18 minute restriction, however ended up with 20 minutes. He totaled eight factors, six rebounds, six assists and 4 blocks.
Dallas finishes its four-game street journey 1-3 with its lone win in opposition to the Phoenix Suns, which impacted the journey west as a result of affect of Washington’s one-game absence and Naji Marshall for the final three matches of the journey.
It does not get any simpler from right here. Wednesday’s contest is a part of a 16-game slate in January that can function a number of of the league’s high groups, together with Friday’s house recreation in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Mavericks will even face the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and the defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics.
And with Washington’s standing up within the air, that places the Mavericks in a precarious state of affairs in one of many hardest stretches of the season.
“PJ performs an enormous position,” Kidd mentioned. “It’s a problem for our guys, nevertheless it’s on to the following man up. Sadly, we did not have sufficient firepower tonight to win.
X/Twitter: @MikeACurtis2
Discover extra Mavericks protection from The Dallas Morning Information right here.
