3 takeaways from Anthony Davis' return in Mavericks' win over Nets

The Mavericks are officially on a winning streak.
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) dribbles up court during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) dribbles up court during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks picked up a 120-101 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, giving the Mavericks their first streak of consecutive wins since before the All-Star Break. Anthony Davis returned to the lineup, giving the team the extra juice that they needed against a mediocre Nets team. Dallas is also 2-0 in games that he's played for the Mavericks.

Brooklyn threw out a non-competitive lineup, starting players like Keon Johnson and Tyrese Martin, but they stayed within striking distance for most of the game. It was a good first game back for Davis so he can get his playing legs back under him, and we'll see if he's able to go on Tuesday night against the Knicks.

Here are three takeaways from Monday's win.

READ MORE: Mavericks handle Nets in Anthony Davis' return, 120-101

1. Anthony Davis' first game back

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) goes to the basket against Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Davis was limited to 28 minutes in this game by the medical staff, and in his time, he put up 12 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 6/9 from the floor. This was a solid first game back as he works to get back in game shape, and the Nets directed a lot of defensive attention to him, sending double teams his way often. That was a big reason six other Mavericks were able to finish in double figures.

2. Much better turnover disparity

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy
Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (1) dribbles as Brooklyn Nets guard Tyrese Martin (13) defends during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

After turning it over 20 times against the Detroit Pistons on Friday, Dallas knew they had to do a better job taking care of the basketball. So, against the Brooklyn Nets, they turned it over just 10 times, a massive improvement. But they also did a great job of turning Brooklyn over, as the Nets coughed it up 18 times, leading to 31 Dallas points. That's arguably the biggest reason they won this game.

3. Naji Marshall continues to shine

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) shoots the ball during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Marshall had another big game for the Mavericks, leading all scorers with 22 points, shooting 9/15 from the floor and 2/4 from three. The three-point shot hasn't been there like Dallas likely expected when they signed him, but he's been much better inside the arc. He had a nice left-handed finish that spun off the glass in this game, on top of his usual runners in the lane that has become his signature.

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Austin Veazey
AUSTIN VEAZEY

Austin Veazey joined NoleGameday as the Lead Basketball Writer in 2019, while contributing as a football writer, and started as editor for MavericksGameday in 2024. Veazey was a Florida State Men’s Basketball Manager from 2016-2019. Follow Austin on Twitter at @EasyVeazeyNG