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00:01This is a presentation of Mavs TV.
00:11Regardless of the night, the Mavs are ready for the fight.
00:18Battling to the final buzzer is part of their identity.
00:22Is energy and effort?
00:24Line up ship, rolls and haul, but the effort never wavers.
00:30Strictly energy, because on this team, the next man up is always ready to answer.
00:41The energy and the effort in the fight now comes out on the road for the Dallas Mavericks as they
00:46venture to ball arena in Denver, Colorado.
00:49Mavericks won here in thrilling fashion back on December the 1st, and they'll finish up their season series with the
00:55Nuggets in this game tonight.
00:57Hi, everyone. Great to have you tuned into Mavs TV with Devin Harris.
01:01I'm Mark Folliwell.
01:02Mavericks are coming off back to back overtime losses, Devin.
01:05In those games, Cooper flag against the Clippers had one of his best defensive games of the year.
01:10Monday night against the Warriors, one of his best offensive games of the year in terms of scoring and playmaking.
01:15Well, he's definitely found his footing from a scoring standpoint, and I think we're back to pre injury from that
01:19standpoint.
01:20But I think his jump shooting ability has really improved his confidence in that level.
01:24Look, his teammates is making shots.
01:26That's why the assist numbers are up.
01:27But spacing in the floor is a lot better.
01:29Their pace of play is really picked up.
01:32So, again, we're talking about spacing as well.
01:34He's dynamic in the open floor, and he's had some success against Denver early in the season.
01:38I think the way he's been playing as of late, he's in tune for another big night tonight.
01:42Yeah, he did have 33 points, nine boards, and nine assists in a game against Denver earlier this year.
01:47He's got 32 in Monday's game, and the Lexus leaderboard indicates that Cooper flag now has eight 30-point games
01:55this year,
01:56obviously all as a teenager.
01:58And in NBA history, only Hall of Famers LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony have more 30-plus-point games as
02:05a teenager,
02:06and Cooper's obviously got many more opportunities to add to that.
02:10Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is bidding to average a triple-double again this year, Devin.
02:16He's playing so well among the many great things he's done.
02:19Recently, the game-winning shot last night for Denver in a road victory against Phoenix.
02:23Well, you said it, Mark. He's a walking triple-double, three-time MVP for a reason.
02:26He is the head of the snake and going to provide all sorts of trouble for the Mavs tonight.
02:30No Daniel Gafford, but he impacts the game in so many different ways.
02:34You know, if you take away his assists, he can give you 40-50.
02:36But the way they space the floor and they're shooting, you can't play him one-on-one in the post
02:41either.
02:41He's a walking nightmare.
02:43And I said, the little size that we have tonight, it's going to be tough to watch, you know, him
02:47operate,
02:47but fun to watch as well.
02:49So, let's tune in, but tall tasks for the Mavs tonight.
02:5229 triple-doubles this year.
02:54Tied for the second-highest total in a season in his NBA career.
02:58Tonight, the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets meet them.
03:01And the captain, Klay Thompson.
03:03It's been so much fun to see how he's been shooting a ball over the last two or three weeks.
03:07And we'll have more on what Klay's three-point shooting has been like over the last eight games.
03:12Right after this, on Mavs TV, stick around.
03:15By Home Zone Furniture.
03:16Come see why we are different.
03:18And by East Texas A&M.
03:21Proud education partner of the Dallas Mavericks.
03:26Mavericks basketball on Mavs TV is brought to you by Home Zone Furniture.
03:30Welcome to downtown Denver Ball Arena where the Mavericks close out their season series
03:34with the Denver Nuggets tonight.
03:36Klay Thompson has been shooting the ball really well over the course of the last eight games, Devin.
03:40One of the main stories of this game tonight is going to be made three-point shots off defense.
03:44We've got two of the top shot makers in this game.
03:47Klay has been absolutely dynamic as of late.
03:50Really dialed in.
03:51Doing it in a lot of variety of different ways.
03:53We've seen no dip threes, running off screens, off dribble handoffs.
03:56Something that's really helped the Mavs that picked up the pace of Klay was helped with spacing.
04:00And that could be pivotal against a team that doesn't want to run at that pace.
04:0445% on threes in the last eight games.
04:07And tonight's Papa John's key ingredients.
04:09To follow up on something Devin mentioned,
04:11the top two players in the NBA this year in made threes off the bench will be on the floor
04:16tonight.
04:17Former Maverick Tim Hardaway Jr. with 188.
04:20Klay Thompson is second with 171.
04:23Reed Shepard, Nas Reed, and Isaiah Joe from the Rockets, Timberwolves, and Thunder complete the top five.
04:29Coming up next, we'll have more on Ryan Nembhard who had a huge game in this arena earlier this year.
04:36Leslie joins us with more about Ryan.
04:38And we'll have the lineups to tip off of tonight.
04:40We're looking outside Ball Arena in Denver.
04:43And inside, we are less than one minute away from the tip off of tonight's meeting between the Dallas Mavericks
04:48and Denver Nuggets.
04:49And we bring you tonight's starting lineups brought to you by Home Zone Furniture.
04:5340th different starting group this year for Dallas.
04:55No Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell in the middle.
04:58And around him, Marshall, Christie, Washington, and Cooper Flagg.
05:01Jamal Murray, Christian Brown, Nikola Jokic, Spencer Jones, and Cam Johnson.
05:05The Quintets starting the game for Denver.
05:07Before tip off, here's your report from Leslie McCaslin.
05:10Leslie.
05:10Well, the Mavs haven't played here since December 1st.
05:13I'm sure Rocky remembers because I can tell you Ryan Nembhard sure does.
05:16It's a game he won't forget.
05:17He was just starting to get into the lineup, and he went off that night.
05:21Putting up numbers, an undrafted rookie has never put up as we take a look at tonight's Coors Light beating
05:27the pressure.
05:28Career highs with 28 points and 10 assists.
05:30And more importantly, no turnovers, and the Mavs got the win.
05:34Ryan told me this morning at Shredon, you know, most NBA players have a great game somewhere on the road,
05:38and that energy sticks around for the next time.
05:41I asked Ryan if that would be the same for him tonight.
05:44He said, I guess we'll see, guys.
05:46That is one of the 21 starts that he's made this year.
05:50When he starts games, he's averaging 9.5 points at 6.5 assists and shooting 45% from the yard.
05:56We don't see him in the starting lineup tonight, but at some point he'll take the floor for his 52nd
06:01game of his rookie season.
06:02And I can speak from a player's standpoint.
06:04When you play well on the floor, it does stick with you.
06:06And I can't wait for him to get out here and feel that energy, because this is going to be
06:10a high-paced game.
06:12Off we go with Dallas controlling the opening tip.
06:16And Cooper flag coming off a nine-assist game the other night against Golden State looking for his first to
06:22the night.
06:22Marshall misses on a corner three.
06:25Denver is 45 and 28.
06:27They've won four straight home games.
06:30Five out of seven overall they've won.
06:33Not just home games, including a road victory last night in Phoenix.
06:38A three-pointer is good for Cam Johnson.
06:40And the folks here at Ball Arena don't have to wait long before taking their seats as Denver scores on
06:45their first offensive position.
06:47You know, we're going to talk a lot about gravity and what players bring.
06:50Obviously, Jokic in the post is going to bring a lot of attention, but they do surround him with shooting.
06:54You've got to pick your poison.
06:56Dallas is now on the board, on the basket by P.J. Washington.
07:00There are planets in the solar system that may not have as much gravitational pull as Nikola Jokic does.
07:07When he is operating this Denver offense, he screens for Jamal Murray, who shoots and misses on a three.
07:14And couponed the stat sheet with a rebound.
07:18Averaging over six and a half boards per game in his rookie season, along with over 20 points and over
07:24four and a half assists.
07:26Fitting to be just the fourth rookie in the last 50 years.
07:30To average at least 20 points, six boards and four dimes.
07:35Dwight Powell making his ninth start of the year tonight, and he already has accumulated presumably his first bruise of
07:42the game.
07:43As he hits the floor hard on that foul from Cam Johnson.
07:48Won't be his first bruise, won't be his last bruise.
07:51No, he is the human bruise, the way he plays, no doubt about that.
07:57And Dwight Powell to the free throw line.
08:00When he's been there this year, he's shooting 68%.
08:07Always ready to answer the bell.
08:09Hasn't played the last two games at home against the Clippers and Warriors.
08:12And so, with no Daniel Gafford tonight, remember a big collision between Gafford and Draymond Green led to a shoulder
08:18contusion.
08:19And Gafford was playing so well when that happened in the fourth quarter the other night.
08:22So, dial up Dwight Powell and he's ready to go.
08:26Always ready to go.
08:27Always professional.
08:30He's had six double figure scoring games this year, five double figure rebounding games.
08:37Here's Cam Johnson, already made a three.
08:39And that pull up is good.
08:42Well, Devon Cam's playing well lately.
08:4416 points per game over the last eight contests.
08:47That's four points better than his season average.
08:49And percentages are very good overall and from the arc.
08:53Tip out, rebound by Powell.
08:54Christie's got it back.
08:59Marshall from that corner again.
09:01And he nails it.
09:03Missed one earlier in the game, but that one is true for Najee Marshall.
09:06Anytime they get an open corner three, they'll take that anytime.
09:11Speaking of corner threes, Denver shoots those really well, Devon.
09:14Corner threes, they're 43%, second best in the league this year.
09:17That looks a lot like Jokic's game winner around that free throw line
09:23where he hit last night and a 125-123 victory over the Sun.
09:29Tied at seven.
09:31Dallas has a made three in this game.
09:32Marshall.
09:33Talked about him missing the first one, first play of the game,
09:36but doesn't deter him.
09:38A swing, swing, in rhythm.
09:39Knocks that one down.
09:41Good overall game on Monday against the Warriors.
09:4416 points, six boards, seven assists.
09:46He had 28 points against the Clippers on Saturday night.
09:51Got to a spot on the baseline and Cooper scores.
09:54Set in the openers, so much more confidence in those mid-range shots the last couple games.
10:00Went 12 of 19 overall from the floor in Monday's game.
10:05There was some weird English on that bounce, and Powell goes to the floor.
10:09He beat Jokic to it.
10:11Mavericks are running and finishing.
10:12Pichet from Marshall on the alley-oop.
10:15Oh, that's Dwight's game to Watif.
10:17First to the floor.
10:20Jokic wisely, like,
10:21I don't want to get tangled up in that.
10:23I'll let you have this once early in the game.
10:25There was some really funky spin on that ball.
10:27It was bouncing back towards mid-court,
10:29and that was kind of a funky finish that Jamal Murray just had to make in the paint for Denver.
10:35He's got a lot of funky finishes in that bag of his.
10:39Having a tremendous season.
10:41Cooper in and out on the shot.
10:42We'll have more on all of the career highs that Murray is posting later on tonight,
10:47but he has cracked through and made the all-star team for the first time this year,
10:52as that is pinballed out of bounds off Cam Johnson.
10:56See this loose ball here.
10:58Kind of hits off Jokic's foot.
10:59He tries to get there, but once Dwight dives on the floor,
11:03first to the floor always gets rewarded.
11:06Leads to a break.
11:07Mav's been doing that with pace.
11:09P.J. with the finish.
11:11Loose ball recovered by Powell.
11:13He's got a couple of free throws in the game.
11:14He's involved in the play here as he goes back to Cooper,
11:18and a long two-pointer is on the money for Flagg.
11:23When he masters that shot, it is going to be nightmares for NBA defenses.
11:28Hit the baseline J.
11:32Powell crowding Jokic.
11:36Dribble handoff and a step-back three.
11:38Jamal Murray rattles it in.
11:40One, two, three.
11:43Murray's tenth in the league in a three-point percentage
11:46and ninth in the league in made threes.
11:50Two hundred and eight made threes.
11:53Forty-two percent from the line.
11:55Max Christie deep down in the corner.
11:57Sidestep the closeout.
11:58Low clock for a three for Cooper.
12:00Brown rebounds.
12:02The ball caromed off the front iron.
12:05A bump, a miss, a follow-up, a score.
12:08Timeout.
12:107-21 left in the first quarter and a timeout called by Dallas
12:14with Denver taking a one-point lead.
12:17John Denver has a 14-13 lead over the Mavs.
12:21We bring you tonight's Chalk Talk game within the game.
12:24Denver's needed this four-game home winning streak
12:26to ensure they'll have a 500 or better record at home this year.
12:30They now have 21 home wins in all and 13 home losses.
12:34And in this four-game home winning streak, their offense, which is very good anyway,
12:39has elevated to 125 and a half points a game, giving up just 104.
12:44And a huge disparity in how they're shooting threes
12:47and what they're doing to limit the three-point shooting of opponents.
12:50Well, you just said it.
12:51Offensively, this is a very gifted team.
12:52They're going to score with the best of them.
12:54But their success in the playoffs is going to come on the defensive end of the floor.
12:57You saw the last four games really getting it done defensively.
13:01But we also have a Mavs team that likes to get up and down with pace.
13:03So we'll see if that stays to be true.
13:06You know, it is interesting to note as we see Marvin Bagley go to the jump hook.
13:10Denver this year, their defensive rating is only 21st overall.
13:14Now, they've had a lot of injuries to key players.
13:20Jokic with it.
13:21Christian Brown scored in the paint a minute ago.
13:24Fights Cam Johnson for a long-range attempt.
13:28Quickest to the loose ball, Jamal Murray.
13:31So Denver has another opportunity.
13:34Jokic against Bagley.
13:37Clock down to three seconds.
13:39Blocked by Cooper.
13:40And Bagley with the ball.
13:42Oh, yes.
13:43And then Cooper changed directions on the dribble against Christian Brown.
13:48Now a cross-court pass.
13:50And a three is up and in.
13:52P.J. Washington.
13:58Well, another good read by Cooper.
14:00He's averaging seven assists a game since the All-Star break.
14:04Cross-court pass to P.J. for the three ball.
14:09Talking to Jake Kidd before the game.
14:11You know, one thing that's helped the assist is just the Mavericks are shooting the ball better.
14:16Generally speaking, as the season has unfolded.
14:19Obviously, that was an area of immense struggle early in the season.
14:24The guys are starting to get, you know, chemistry and understanding where guys like it on the floor.
14:28But you got guys like Clay Thompson and Max Christie, the way they've been shooting the ball.
14:33Spacing, always a big factor in that.
14:35Now there's never been any trouble in terms of Marshall shooting it in the paint this year.
14:39From the word go, he's been dynamite in that regard.
14:43Over 62% on paint field goal attempts this year.
14:47He just scored one a moment ago.
14:48Now inside on the pirouette.
14:51Jokic misses against P.J.
14:54Dallas clears the glass.
14:55Attacked by Washington.
14:57Trying to wrap around pass.
14:59And the ball is off Spencer Jones.
15:03Defense from Cooper to start this highlight package.
15:06You got to send multiple guys at Jokic.
15:09Coop with the block from behind.
15:11Skip pass and P.J.'s always an inside out player.
15:15We saw him get a bucket early on.
15:17Now the three to make a foul.
15:19That is the remedy for the best nights.
15:22It seems like his get going inside early and continue on from there.
15:26Well, there's a familiar face.
15:27Tim Hardaway Jr. is in.
15:29And how fitting that he and Clay Thompson are involved.
15:33As Thompson gets a shot up.
15:34No good.
15:35Peyton Watson also went into the game for Denver.
15:38Brandon Williams is back for the Mavs after missing the last three games in concussion protocol.
15:43Christian Brown inside.
15:44Ball tipped out of bounds by Washington.
15:47Mavs up by two.
15:48We played about seven minutes.
15:51Chris Middleton in for Cooper.
15:57Middleton appearing in his 21st game since joining Dallas.
16:01Ball into Peyton Watson.
16:02He's been out a lot lately with the hamstring injury.
16:06This is just his second game back.
16:09Ball went into Watson.
16:10He finds Murray.
16:11And Murray connects from the outside.
16:14Not a great sign when you let Murray go off in the first half.
16:19Murray's had two really good games against the Mavs this year.
16:22He's usually like to ease his way into the game offensively fighting teammates.
16:26Look out.
16:29Murray already has ten.
16:30Devon shooting for three more.
16:33Murray's had 31 and 33 in a couple of games against Dallas this year.
16:37A thrust to the basket.
16:38And then B-Will leaves it for Bagley.
16:40And the rim rocker by NB3.
16:45Murray did have a ten point game here against the Mavs.
16:49But at American Airlines Center 31 and 33 in a couple of that game.
16:53That's the score for Peyton Watson.
16:55That did deter Murray's performance that particular night back on December the 1st you're talking about.
17:02B-Will.
17:03Nice pass.
17:04Yeah, this time it's Middleton.
17:06A deflection all the way up.
17:08It appeared.
17:13Clay got to a spot for a step back three.
17:16Hardaway the rebound.
17:17Good outlet pass.
17:19Murray, Jokic running with him.
17:20Fakes the behind the back a la Rajon Rondo.
17:23And if you jump way back in the machine.
17:25Brad Davis used to do that with the Mavs.
17:29Murray scores a dozen for him.
17:31He's got more than half of the offensive output for Denver in the first quarter.
17:35Three ball.
17:36A round and unfortunately out for Washington.
17:40Lipping out.
17:41And then a streak to the basket for Christian Brown.
17:44That's such a smart play on Jokic's part.
17:47Knowing that Braun is a pass-ahead guy.
17:50That's the way he gets a lot of his points.
17:51That's where he's active.
17:52Getting the ball on the run in stride led to that layup.
17:55And it's Clay Thompson leading in and hitting a three-pointer.
18:01Clay 45% on threes.
18:0315 points a game in the last eight.
18:06Starter Dwight Powell ready to sub back into the game.
18:08He's at the table.
18:11Ground from the outside.
18:18Mavs down by two.
18:19Looking for the lead.
18:20Bagley corner three.
18:22Almost boomerang back to him.
18:24But Jokic beats him to the ball.
18:28Murray excellent first quarter.
18:30Looking for more points.
18:31Got two.
18:32And a chance for a third.
18:35There's a timeout on the floor with 2.40 left to the first quarter.
18:38And behind Jamal Murray, Denver has a four point.
18:43Mavericks basketball on Mavs TV is brought to you by IJustGotHit.com.
18:48And Jamal Murray has hit first in the first quarter.
18:5314 points.
18:54Say that again.
18:54But 23 is the lead right now for Denver.
18:56They don't hand out history.
18:58You earn it.
19:00Cooper flags.
19:01Rookie year has given its record breaking nights.
19:03Rookie of the month honors.
19:04And milestone after milestone.
19:06Now grab the Coop bobble pack.
19:09Rookie edition.
19:10Presented by AT&T.
19:12With an exclusive bobble and a ticket to Coop's rookie era.
19:16Limited drop only at Mavs.com slash Cooper.
19:21Coop had the eighth game of 30 plus points of his rookie season.
19:27And Dallas' OT loss to Golden State on Monday nights.
19:33As we set off the top of the broadcast.
19:35Third in NBA history amongst teenagers in 30 plus point games.
19:39LeBron 20.
19:40Carmelo Anthony, of course, who started his career here in Denver.
19:43He had those 30 point games as a teenager.
19:45Right here.
19:46He had 10.
19:47And Coop's got aced.
19:49And Jamal Murray has got a big number.
19:5215 already, Devin.
19:53You're concerned.
19:54I can tell.
19:55I'm concerned.
19:55I've seen this in person as a teammate and as, you know, somebody guarding.
19:59When he gets off these type of starts, I mean, potentially we're in for a long night.
20:03How's about that?
20:04Tyler Smith into the game.
20:06And Smith does have that in his bag.
20:10The ability to knock down threes at a high percentage.
20:13Jokic.
20:14Last year in his time with Milwaukee at 23 games, he had 43% from long range.
20:21Runner.
20:22The man of a thousand release points when it comes to making shots.
20:26Jokic scores.
20:28No one makes unorthodox shots at a higher degree, I feel like, than Jokic.
20:34Well, his teammate does.
20:36Murray.
20:37Murray's right up there.
20:39Peyton Watson in the open court.
20:41Hardaway for three.
20:42The league leader in bench threes.
20:46Man, David Adelman gave a great answer, I thought, to a question I asked him before
20:50the game about Tim's presence on the team.
20:52And he said, when we were talking to him last offseason, I told him, your green light's
20:57going to be as green as it can be.
21:01And a blur to the basket.
21:02Be well.
21:03He scores for Dallas.
21:05As a player coming into a new situation, that's music to your ears.
21:09Right?
21:12Murray.
21:13Murray misses on a drive.
21:16A little slow to get back into the play.
21:19Dallas 5v4 right now.
21:21Tyler Smith again!
21:23Tyler Smith, how do you do?
21:26Tonight is Tyler Smith's fourth game since joining Dallas on a two-way contract
21:32earlier this month.
21:34And Smith has connected on two threes.
21:40Dallas' bench has already scored 13 points.
21:45Thompson, B-Will, Tyler Smith have all produced points for Dallas.
21:53Marvin Bagley as well.
21:55But Smith's the story right now, man.
21:57Absolutely.
21:57Two shots from the same spot, but coming in, ready to play, paying attention, and feet set,
22:04let it fly.
22:05He had played three games with Dallas prior to tonight, 17 minutes and three points.
22:10And he already has six.
22:12Hardaway's fouled on a jump shot.
22:14And he'll go to the free throw line with 44.8 left in the first quarter.
22:20Hardaway to the line, averaging about 14 points per game this year.
22:24He is 20th in the league in three-point percentage at almost 41% from long range.
22:32His free throw shooting is 81% this year and for his career.
22:40I'm not car obsessed.
22:42I'm Sewell obsessed.
22:43I really don't care about the car as much as I care about the Sewell experience.
22:48I can't buy anywhere else.
22:49I won't buy a car anywhere else.
22:51David Adelman told us before the game, the floor feels enormous.
22:55When Hardaway is on the floor because of the spacing, he helps provide to their group.
23:03Yes, absolutely.
23:04But also, when you've got Jokic out there, there's decisions that have to be made.
23:09You can't necessarily let Jokic play one-on-one.
23:12He's too good.
23:13But if you do double, then you've got guys like Tim Hardaway Jr. on the backside,
23:17you know, ready to carve you up.
23:19Peyton Watson missed that shot.
23:22Dallas defended.
23:23A quick attack moment for Denver well.
23:25And if the Mavericks can cash in here at the end of the quarter
23:29and prevent a heave from distance, they've got a shot at the lead
23:33going into the second quarter.
23:36Middleton to Williams.
23:38Three-pointers up.
23:39Jokic rebounds two seconds.
23:41And Denver is poised to take the lead.
23:4434-33 after the opening 12 minutes at Ball Arena
23:48in the Mile High City.
23:50Where they set an all-time March temperature record today of 87 degrees.
23:56And Jamal Murray is feeling that hot streak in the first quarter tonight.
24:02After the first quarter here on Mavs TV, as we come back to Denver,
24:06a look at tonight's Baylor Scott and White Health pulse check.
24:10First quarter stats from tonight's game.
24:12Denver shoots 61%.
24:14Mavs 48%.
24:15Both teams 50% on their threes.
24:17Paint points favor Denver.
24:19But because Tyler Smith has made a couple of threes,
24:22Dallas has a healthy bench points advantage.
24:25Devin, I'm going to add my own stat to the Baylor Scott and White Health pulse check.
24:29The Mavericks did not turn the ball over in the first quarter.
24:33Always a good sign.
24:35Denver does force the fewest turnovers per game.
24:39But that is, to Devin's point, a good sign because we know Dallas has struggled in that department
24:44in many games this year.
24:46Yes!
24:48Defensive rebound, P.J. Washington, after Hardaway missed on a three.
24:53Ryan Nimhard is in the game, as Leslie reported, and reported quite well as Rocky was trying to distract her
25:00in her pre-tip-off hit.
25:03Ryan Nimhard had a wonderful game, his best career game in this building earlier this year.
25:08Back on December the 1st.
25:10Bruce Brown rebounds as Cooper missed a jump shot.
25:14Cooper's back in the game.
25:15Here's Julian Strother.
25:17John Polakidis is in for Dallas, and Strother drives on Polakidis and scores in the paint.
25:25Seven points in eight minutes for Strother and Phoenix last night.
25:32Cooper in the paint, finds the cutter, elevating and detonating Tyler Smith.
25:37Real big impact to start this game.
25:41Love to see it.
25:43Smith was signed to a two-way contract right at the two-way contract deadline.
25:51Back on February the 28th is when Dallas signed him.
26:01Smith was playing at the time with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the G League.
26:06He's played some games with the Legends, and man, he lets it fly from Boulder on that attempt.
26:13He checked.
26:15Here's a drive, and Hardaway missed it.
26:17And Spencer Jones tips the ball out of bounds.
26:21Dallas has it.
26:23Smith with a couple of threes, and well-positioned here on the cut from Cooper.
26:27When you're making shots, and you see the back of the head, perfect time to cut.
26:31Cooper finds him.
26:34Nimhard, you better believe it.
26:37Ball Arena, first shot up and in for Ryan Nimhard.
26:40A lot of confidence in this building.
26:41A lot of confidence.
26:42Smith game!
26:43Smith game!
26:46Last six games, Nimhard has an assist-to-turnover ratio of over seven to one.
26:53Strother missed it.
26:5543 assists and only six turnovers for Ryan Nimhard over the last six games.
27:01He finds Cooper, and Cooper driving with authority and finishing in the same fashion.
27:08Making jump shots, defenders feel the need to close out.
27:12That opens up that drive game that we've seen so much over the course of the season.
27:17Half dozen points on the board.
27:19Dallas has opened up 6-2 in the quarter.
27:226-4 now with the layout by Peyton Watson.
27:30Watson in his fourth year from UCLA.
27:33He started and played a lot this year.
27:37Played well, averaging 15 points a game.
27:42Here's Bruce Brown, maybe over-penetrated.
27:45Keeps a live dribble, however, and goes to the corner.
27:48Spencer Jones misses on a three.
27:51He's starting with Aaron Gordon out tonight on the second night of a back-to-back.
27:55As they're still managing a right hamstring injury.
27:59Tyler Smith off the rim and out of bounds.
28:04Whataburger, what a play of the game as Coop's baseline drive for the two-hand flush.
28:08Quick rip going left.
28:11Help a little bit late, but no shot blocking.
28:14So what do you do?
28:15You attack the rim.
28:18And we mentioned earlier that Denver doesn't force many turnovers.
28:21Fewest in the league.
28:22And when it comes to shot blocking, they are next to last in the league.
28:27Blocking only about four shots per game.
28:30On the drive, Peyton Watson, nicely done.
28:33Summie was in the bag.
28:35A little Texas two-step.
28:37Wow.
28:38That was really nice.
28:41Long Beach Polly with the Texas two-step.
28:45And for Najee Marshall.
28:47With a foul as well.
28:49And Marshall's the top scoring man for the Dallas Mavericks tonight.
28:54Marshall with that basket.
28:56A little fancy footwork here too.
28:58Nice pump fake.
28:59Up and under.
29:00Gets the contact.
29:02Throws it up.
29:06And one.
29:08Averaging over 15 points per game this season.
29:10Nearly 18 points per game as a starter.
29:13Three of his last five games have seen Marshall score 25 or better.
29:18He has seven tonight.
29:19And he and Washington are the leading scorers.
29:22I'm sorry.
29:22Tyler Smith's got eight off the bench.
29:25Leading starters are Marshall and P.J.
29:30Remember Spencer Jones who had the ball a moment ago and then gave it up.
29:33Had a huge game against Dallas.
29:35The same night that Ryan Nimhard scored 28 here.
29:38So did Spencer Jones.
29:40Pull a key this.
29:41Pull a three this.
29:42That's calling that.
29:44Man, the Mavericks are getting three-point shooting.
29:48In bunches tonight from two-way contract players.
29:53Three-pointers from the two ways.
29:55Tyler Smith's made two.
29:56And now one for the Yale man.
29:59John Pulikidis.
30:00Timeout Denver with Dallas up by four.
30:02Cooper, we're going to put him in the driver's seat.
30:04Brought to you by your North Texas Chevy dealers.
30:06Since he returned from a three-week absence due to a left foot, left mid-foot sprain.
30:12Cooper is averaging about 20 points.
30:15Nearly seven assists and seven rebounds.
30:17He's had three double-doubles.
30:19He's also contributing significantly on the defensive end of the floor.
30:23At a block and a half per game in the last 11.
30:27It's just mind-blowing to me the way the narrative is being written about Cooper Flagg and the rookie of
30:34the year race.
30:35That even at a time when his shot has, by his own admission, been a little bit uneven coming back
30:41from a three-week playoff.
30:4420.7 boards, seven assists, a block and a half a game for this dude.
30:49Incredible numbers for any player, particularly for a rookie who's the youngest player in the league at 19 and change.
30:57You know, we talked a lot about Jokic, right, and how different impacts of the game.
31:02Cooper has that type of impact.
31:04Yes, his shot wasn't going, but assist numbers are up, rebounding numbers are up.
31:08And as we watch him walk a little gingerly, hopefully everything's okay.
31:13But he's really picked different spots of how to impact the game.
31:17Assists have been one of them.
31:18And his teammates have done a great job of allowing him to have the space to control the offense but
31:23also making shots for him.
31:25All right, let's get a little bit more about Cooper Flagg, a perspective from one of his teammates from Leslie.
31:30Yeah, I talked to Ryan Nembhard about why he thought Cooper should be rookie of the year.
31:35And he had a couple of really good points.
31:37I'm going to get through them.
31:37He played a new role for us this year and he stepped up in that role at point guard.
31:41He said he's a menace on both sides of the floor.
31:43First blocking shots, steals, playing hard on defense.
31:46And he said he's just had to do so much for a team this year.
31:49A lot of those other guys haven't had to take on the load that he has.
31:53And this is the funniest, I think.
31:55He said he's leading the rookies in points and assists if it worked for me.
31:59Which he's right.
32:00And he's up there in rebounds and blocks and steals.
32:02So he said, you know, Cooper has had a hell of a year and he's definitely rookie of a year
32:05in my opinion.
32:06And guys, I just think those are all very valid points.
32:09Well, Ryan has a high basketball IQ on the floor and off the floor, obviously.
32:15And if Koopi keeps on averaging seven assists a game, he may overtake Nimhard for the overall rookie lead in
32:21assists per game.
32:23I have, as you did.
32:25Oh, Pulakidis deep down in the corner.
32:27Really tough angle three.
32:28I have noticed, like you said, Devon, he is limping a little bit.
32:32Murray, heater in the first quarter, and right back in the game, and that continues.
32:3718 points in tonight's game for Jamal Murray.
32:40Watch the Denver Nuggets play, and this has been kind of an Achilles heel for them is, you know,
32:45how are they going to generate points when Jokic is out of the game?
32:49Very rarely do you see Jamal and Jokic off the floor at the same time.
32:54That timeout from Coach Adelman.
32:56Very specific.
32:57Let me get Jamal back into the game and start to generate some of these points again.
33:01Well, they're booing at this call here in Denver, but that shot was so far off there had to be
33:07a foul.
33:09Here's the play.
33:10Spencer Jones called for the foul.
33:15And a trip to the free throw line for Cooper.
33:19Our outstanding production crew has been able to go back a few possessions
33:23and we can identify maybe where Cooper tweaked things a little bit.
33:30Came out on somebody's foot.
33:32Yeah, there you go.
33:35Well, against Denver back on January 14th at American Airlines Center, he sprained his ankle.
33:41Happened in two consecutive games.
33:43It happened two days before against Brooklyn.
33:46And then that night when it happened against Denver in the first half, he limped off.
33:50He came back and played a little bit in the second quarter and then missed the next two games.
33:56But Coop is, in addition to all of those statistical things that we could share with you earlier,
34:01it's abundantly clear what a competitive player is and what a tough player he is.
34:07And in terms of trying to play through bumps and bruises and nagging injuries and such.
34:13And he's attacking again after the defensive rebound.
34:16Misses the shot.
34:17Bagley kept it alive.
34:19Julian Strother with the ball for Denver.
34:21And the Nuggets passing it well.
34:23Leading to that.
34:24Cam Johnson.
34:25Point of three.
34:26Look on the floor.
34:27Shooting everywhere.
34:29I don't think the ball even hit the floor.
34:32Devon, probably a good time for me to note that Denver is the number one three-point shooting team
34:36in terms of percentage this year.
34:38They make over 39%.
34:41And then when you move the ball as effectively as they just did to generate looks like that.
34:47In until it wasn't for Nembhard.
34:49Jokic already has seven forwards and seven assists in this game.
34:54Murray trying to go back to him on a give and go.
34:56Dallas deflects it into the backcourt.
35:03Murray for three.
35:04Too much.
35:09But he's in one of those zones.
35:12Little Euro and score.
35:14Ryan Nembhard.
35:18Mavericks shooting 48% and they've scored 48 points.
35:23As we play with five minutes left in the first half.
35:30What a pass.
35:31Jokic fouled Murray.
35:32Despite the face guarding from Marshall.
35:36Jokic was still able to figure out a way to get that ball to his buddy Jamal Murray.
35:43Marshall on the floor to keep the possession alive for the Mavs.
35:47Marvin Bagley thought about a three.
35:50Went to Max Christie.
35:51His three's on the money.
35:54Six of eight for the floor.
35:56Made a key three that forced overtime against Golden State on Monday.
36:01Max had 15 points in this game.
36:04Strother's open.
36:04And Strother.
36:06So unselfish.
36:07I told you how Jokic is like the easiest way to game offensively.
36:10That's the second time he's had a wide open three that he could have shot.
36:14Used that gravity that we talked about so much to get his teammates a better look.
36:17Nine assists now for the Joker.
36:21Crossover.
36:22Cooper goes to Bagley.
36:24Corner three no good.
36:25Strother upstairs for a rebound.
36:27He just hit the three.
36:29He pushes the tempo after the defensive board.
36:32Leaves it for Bruce Brown.
36:34Jokic battling for a rebound.
36:36There's a foul underneath on the rebound.
36:41Three fifty four left in the second quarter.
36:44Foul wise.
36:46Dallas now two in the quarter.
36:48Jamal Murray finally made it to the All-Star game this year.
36:52He's averaging a career high in scoring twenty five.
36:56Boards over four.
36:57Assist over seven.
36:59Thirty point games and double doubles.
37:02Fifteen of those sixteen double doubles have been point assists.
37:06And they've needed it this year with all the injuries that they've been dealing with.
37:10Another team that hasn't really been whole all season long but.
37:15Typically starts the season off kind of slow.
37:17But not this year.
37:18Came in ready to go from the start and has had an excellent season.
37:22He's been a rock.
37:23He's been the one guy of key importance that has been healthy all year long for Denver.
37:28Time out on the floor with three to face.
37:32There have been sixteen lead changes in this game.
37:36Currently Denver in front by one.
37:39Dallas ball three forty five left in an extremely entertaining first half.
37:46Working in the paint Marshall looking for the seventeenth lead change of the game.
37:51And with the pretty bounce he makes it happen.
37:58Three picked up by Marshall.
38:02Jokic against Dwight Powell who started tonight.
38:05Daniel Gafford out.
38:07They double Jokic.
38:08He's got it back and blings a corner three.
38:12So tough to guard.
38:15Capable of doing anything at any moment on the basketball court.
38:20Nikola Jokic one of the all time greats.
38:24He is leading the league this year in rebounds per game and assist per game.
38:30And he's eighth in scoring as well.
38:37Jokic finally delivers the pass to Brown.
38:42Jokic up top now on a three.
38:45That one is wide left.
38:48Middleton claims the carom.
38:51Fouls called here on Christian Brown.
38:55By the way Jokic has a thirty eight percent number on his threes this year as he connects on one.
39:02So reluctant to close out because that shot fake is so convincing.
39:06And with that high release point you can get it off at any point in time.
39:09There was a point in time that league leaders were decided in the NBA based on totals not per game
39:15averages.
39:16Now that was way back in the sixties and in one season in the sixties.
39:21Wilt Chamberlain.
39:22Just to show everybody that he could pass the ball.
39:26Marshall misses on the three.
39:29Wilt led the league in total rebounds and total assists.
39:31First pull up three by the hottest player in the building tonight.
39:36Jamal Murray.
39:38He's on the heater.
39:39You can see what he's doing.
39:41He's on the heater.
39:43He has got the hot hands.
39:45I've read this book before.
39:49P.J. Washington deep paint catch.
39:52So to clean up that point about Wilt.
39:54So he was the only he's the only player to ever lead the league in rebounds and assist in the
39:58season.
39:58But that was back when totals dictated who the league leaders were.
40:03Jokic is spinning to be the first player ever to be the league leader in rebounds and assist in the
40:08per game era.
40:09Look at guys.
40:11He's on the dance floor.
40:13Not only is the right hands blazing hot.
40:18But the feet have got some moves too.
40:20And we are seeing greatness in the first half from Jamal Murray.
40:2526 points.
40:30Murray up ahead.
40:32And a foul on the paint.
40:35Jokic was bumped by P.J. Washington.
40:37When he's feeling like this.
40:39The bucket just seems so big to him.
40:42Pull up three.
40:42He's blowing it off.
40:44It's hot.
40:44It's hot.
40:45Now he's putting you on the dance floor.
40:47Got three guys around him.
40:48It doesn't matter.
40:49The step back.
40:51And feeling it.
40:55Jamal Murray.
40:57Last two years against Dallas.
40:59Has averaged 24 points.
41:00Shot 49% from the floor.
41:03About 42 from three.
41:04Another one.
41:06What is happening right now?
41:11Jamal Murray.
41:1229 points in the first half.
41:15Six threes.
41:17And as I mentioned earlier.
41:20Obviously as Marshall hits.
41:22Jamal Murray feeling the effects of the hottest temperature in Denver, Colorado ever in the month of March.
41:29Recorded today.
41:3187 points.
41:32And he's gassing up the crowd right now.
41:35Wild dribbling up the court.
41:37Obviously the Mavs pick him up at half courts.
41:42Marshall was up on him and a foul was called.
41:47Miscommunication on the switch.
41:48But you can't go underneath the screen with a guy that's that high.
41:56With 48.9 seconds left in the half.
41:59Jamal Murray is shooting for his 30th point of the first half.
42:04Denver leading the game by seven.
42:20So three of four games against Dallas this year.
42:23Murray has 30 plus points.
42:27He's scored 31 in another game against Dallas this year and 33.
42:32And he's sitting on 31 right now.
42:36And Denver may get two more possessions here before the end of the half.
42:40Cooper a three pointer off target.
42:42Cam Johnson with the rebound.
42:46Murray wants to accelerate and earn a two for one here for Denver.
42:50He drives baseline.
42:54And the call is foul Dallas as Murray was driving baseline.
43:02Marshall now two fouls.
43:03Mavericks are over the limits.
43:09We'll look through the history of the Denver Nuggets.
43:12They've had a lot of great offensive players.
43:15Obviously another one's on the floor right now.
43:17Nicola Jokic.
43:20Carmelo Anthony we saw for many years in the later stages of his career.
43:26Allen Iverson was here.
43:28Of course if you want to flash back.
43:30Alex English was one of the great scoring small forwards of the 80s.
43:34But Jamal Murray is in that conversation too.
43:37And he's now sitting on 33 points in the first half.
43:41Set apart.
43:48Foul on Murray.
43:50Uh oh.
43:51New balance on New Balance crime.
43:53First foul.
43:56That's a good catch on your part man.
43:59That's good.
44:02Murray has the last 13 points for Denver.
44:06And he's even going to indirectly contribute to Dallas points here.
44:11Because it's his foul that puts Coop on the line.
44:13With 18.4 left in the first half.
44:19Marshall leads Dallas with 13.
44:21Cooper has nine.
44:23Tyler Smith in his fourth game with Dallas has eight.
44:27That's your top trio of Dallas scores.
44:31But balance is not the story with Denver.
44:34It's one man who is a wrecking crew.
44:39Cooper.
44:47Cooper to double figures.
44:49Four for four on the line in this game.
44:52PJ Washington in the backcourt will apply pressure on Jamal Murray.
44:56Now a double team comes.
44:59So it goes to Jokic.
45:01Now back to Murray.
45:03They force it out of his hands with a double.
45:05Bullet pass inside.
45:06Cooper a block.
45:09Really good rotations.
45:11Christian Brown denied by Cooper flag after an excellent pass.
45:18Yes.
45:19Great rotation.
45:21Cooper has to quote Leslie who is quoting Ryan Nembhardt.
45:25A menace defensively.
45:27Inbounds pass to the baseline.
45:28Goes into Jokic for a three.
45:30That's no good.
45:32Behind Jamal Murray's 33.
45:34It's 68-59.
45:36Denver in front of Dallas.
45:38At the interval at Ball Arena here on Mavs TV.
45:42Stay tuned for Dana Harp and Nancy at halftime.
45:46By the piece.
45:47Save a little.
45:48By the room.
45:49Save a lot.
45:50Hit and hurt.
45:51Call or click.
45:52I just got hit.com.
45:54By your North Texas Chevy dealers.
45:56And by Greg Goose.
45:58Make time wait.
46:02Mavs down nine as we welcome back with our rooms to go recap.
46:05Well how do you slow down Jamal Murray.
46:07It's exactly what I asked assistant coach Josh Broghammer.
46:10He had 33 points in the first half.
46:12He said we have got to chase him outside the line.
46:15So a couple times we relaxed a little bit.
46:17He said he's done a very good job going to his left.
46:20He said we've got to get the ball out of his hands a little bit more.
46:22But obviously that's tough when you're trying to focus on Jokic as well.
46:26Remember these guys played last night.
46:29Got in late.
46:30He said so far our pace has been good.
46:32Until about the last two minutes of that second quarter.
46:34He said here in the second half.
46:36You've got to keep the pace high and try to take advantage of their tiredness Mark.
46:40Jamal Murray tied for the most points in the first half for a Denver Nuggets player in the play-by
46:46-play era since 96-97.
46:49Second half.
46:51Jokic and Carmelo Anthony in the past have 36 points second halves.
46:55And Murray has a 34-point second half in his career.
46:59But he just went off in the first half for 33.
47:03And then Denver starts the third quarter with the Nikola Jokic basket.
47:08Leslie's point is, you know, if you take the attention off of Jokic and put it on Murray, then you're
47:14allowing a three-time MVP to pay one-on-one.
47:18I guess, really no, a little bit of size out there.
47:21That's advantage Jokic.
47:22Well, maybe one thing Dallas can do as well, if I may throw out this idea, is get Jamal Murray
47:27involved in defensive actions.
47:29Murray just committed a foul.
47:31He picked up one late in the first half.
47:34Now he's got two fouls for the game, but he puts Marshall on the free throw line here.
47:39That's one way, absolutely, having a good offensive game.
47:45Defensively put more pressure on him.
47:47I like it.
47:49I mean, at this point, I think this one calls for the kitchen sink.
47:54Yeah.
47:54So, he's got to throw everything at him.
47:57Whether that's defensive coverages or making him work on the defensive end of the floor.
48:03Max Christie up on him at the Ball Arena logo.
48:08Powell digging in and battling Jokic.
48:11As they go to a dribble handoff and it's a missed shot for Cam Johnson.
48:15And securing his fourth rebound of the game is Cooper.
48:19And Dallas pushing the 10-5.
48:22And Dwight Powell.
48:24That is two violent crashes to the floor tonight for him.
48:28He had one very early in the first quarter and one here very early in the third quarter.
48:35And this one certainly seems and sounded significantly worse than the one that happened early in the game.
48:44We did say it wasn't going to be his last bruise.
48:46Yep.
48:46We did say that.
48:50Oh.
48:51Doesn't really have his arms underneath him to catch himself being wrapped up.
48:56So, the body takes the blunt of the blow.
49:01Good to see him pop up.
49:07Tonight, Dwight is appearing in his 754th game with Dallas.
49:13Of course, he's fifth in Mavs history in total games played.
49:18We know that this when he reached 750 with Dallas a few games ago.
49:22And that is that there are 11 players in the NBA active right now that have played at least 750
49:29games with one team.
49:32Another one is out on the floor.
49:34Nikola Jokic, of course, has played over 750 games with Denver.
49:38As a matter of fact, he moved into second in Denver Nuggets history in games played tonight with number 803.
49:44Broke a tie for two with Dan Issel, the horse.
49:49Two defenders chase Jamal Murray.
49:51And Koop steals the pass and a breakaway dunk.
49:55I like the two on the ball putting pressure to make a decision.
49:58Koop shoots the gap the perfect time.
50:03Well, that's two situations in the last little bit of the game, Devin, where Koop's rotated well.
50:08Remember, the blocked shot on Christian Brown at the end of the first half.
50:12And then rotates right in front of Jokic, shoots the gap, steals the ball.
50:17Easy basket for Dallas as a result.
50:19Yeah, we see the two on the ball that we talked about.
50:21Koop reading the eyes and the body language.
50:24Shoots the gap and leads to the uncontested dunk.
50:28Well, Koop's defensive acumen is certainly unquestioned.
50:33That's me, TJ! That's me, TJ!
50:36Recently had a four block shot game against the Clippers, tying his career high.
50:42Accelerated in the basket, Cam Johnson.
50:46Found an extra gear to go to to beat the pressure.
50:51He's got ten points in the game.
50:54Lost ball by Marshall, picked up by Powell, pass to the corner.
50:58Washington missed on a three-pointer.
51:00Long outlet pass, Jokic, and that pass sets up Cam Johnson to beat everyone down the floor for the dunk.
51:07Nothing we don't talk about enough is Jokic's ability to outlet the ball.
51:12We've seen it sometimes when it's a quick inbound, and he fires it up off the rebound.
51:17Has that in his bag, too.
51:19You would certainly consider him in the conversation with Bill Walton.
51:23Kevin Love, the best big man outlet passers to ever do it.
51:29Marshall drives and draws a foul.
51:319.35 to go, third quarter. Marshall to the free-throw line.
51:34As soon as he gets the rebound, his eyes are always up the court.
51:39Hits him right in between two Mavs defenders.
51:43That leads to the ferocious dunk.
51:47Wes Unso was another one.
51:49Big man who was outstanding at the outlet pass.
51:53We're getting a really good one, too. Halliburton.
51:56Tyrese Halliburton, a very good outlet passer.
51:59We've got a player with size like Jokic who's going to be there for defensive rebounds,
52:04and then can start transition opportunities because you're willing, you can make that pass on time, on target, with pace.
52:12It's just such a weapon.
52:17Shoulder into the body of Jokic by Powell. Foul on Dwight, his second.
52:25There were 18 lead changes in the first half, and then Denver closed the half on a 17-6 run
52:33to gain a little bit of separation.
52:35Eight-point lead now, push off. Offensive foul, Christian Brown.
52:46Referee Andy Nagy, in his ninth year from Toledo, Ohio, spotted that one.
52:50And definitely see the extension of the arm.
52:52I'm going to call that one every single time.
52:55Right.
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