Klay Thompson might have misplaced within the Mavericks’ 113-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday evening. 
gathering a season-high 4 interceptions.
His earlier excessive got here on opening evening when he collected three steals towards the San Antonio Spurs.
After Saturday’s sport, coach Jason Kidd was requested about critics doubting Thompson’s defensive talents, and Kidd did not maintain again.
“As a lot as we all know we’ve a whole lot of critics who know how one can play at a excessive degree and are champions, they are going to at all times have one thing to say,” Kidd stated. “However (Thompson) goes on the market, performs the sport the correct manner and does what it takes for his staff to win.
“It’s simply a part of the character of this enterprise. Everybody needs to make holes, however he involves work daily, he understands the brand new system. I believe he even stated 
give him 25 or 30 video games so he can perceive what is going on on right here, and I believe he is over that milestone and understands what we’re making an attempt to do.
Thompson’s teammates additionally got here to his protection, including that somebody wants to carry critics who do not know what they’re speaking about accountable.
“I really feel like everybody goes to criticize him, criticize anybody if he does one factor fallacious,” heart Derek Full of life II stated. “However they’re not going to reward him for the 12 issues he does nicely.”
Along with his protection, Thompson scored 16 factors in 24 minutes towards the Clippers and shot 6 of 9 from the sector, together with 4 of 6 from downtown. Nonetheless, striker Naji Marshall stated:
“Individuals simply criticize. (Thompson) was simply in the correct place (Saturday) and following the sport plan, and it labored for him.
It most likely labored as a result of Thompson is not any stranger to having a defensive pedigree as a part of his in depth repertoire. He made the NBA All-Defensive Second Staff in 2019 and has at all times been a standout defender.
His 4 interceptions towards the Clippers solely bolstered that.
“It places her self-confidence by means of the roof,” Full of life stated. “He’s positively been an asset for us on the defensive finish. I used to be capable of discuss to him, attempt to assist him perceive our plans, and he’s doing very nicely. He did it with a whole lot of effort and a whole lot of composure.
Listed here are our different takeaways from the Mavs’ 16-point win over the Clippers.
GRIMES TOOK THE RELAY: That solely lined three minutes and three seconds of the fourth quarter. That is how lengthy Quentin Grimes took to attain 14 factors, opening Saturday’s sport and giving the Mavs a 95-80 lead with 7:13 remaining. In these 183 seconds, Grimes made three three-pointers and three free throws.
throws after being fouled whereas launching one other shot from downtown. He was even credited with a basket when his lofted move supposed for heart Derek Full of life II sailed by means of the basket and by no means discovered Full of life.
IRVING CALMED THE WATERS: In Thursday’s 118-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Mavs’ high two flooring generals – Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving – have been unable to play. Dončić suffered a bruised left heel and Irving had soreness in his proper shoulder. However whereas Dončić was additionally unable to play on Saturday towards the Clippers, Irving was again on the court docket, displaying off his distinctive ball-handling and management talents, and completely directing site visitors whereas scoring 15 factors and distributing six assists.
YOU GET 10 POINTS, YOU GET 10 POINTS, YOU, YOU. . .: All eight members of the Mavs who performed at the least 17 minutes Saturday scored at the least 10 factors. The checklist consists of Quentin Grimes (20), Klay Thompson (16), Kyrie Irving (15), Spencer Dinwiddie (15), Daniel Gafford (13), Naji Marshall (12), Derek Full of life II (11) and PJ Washington (10). ). ). That is the second time this season the Mavs have had eight gamers rating 10 or extra factors in a sport. The Mavs are 13-1 this season when at the least six gamers rating 10 or extra factors in the identical sport.
X: @DwainPrice
