Overtime Heroics: Mavs Game-Winning Dunk Sinks Warriors
LAS VEGAS — The Dallas Mavericks' Summer League squad sought to begin a winning streak by achieving a victory against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. The Mavs managed to do so with 98-96 being the final score after overtime, improving their record to 2-1 in Las Vegas.
Early on, the Mavs made it a clear focus to play more out of dribble handoffs and to move the ball in the half-court as opposed to running high pick-and-roll as much. The goal was to utilize their big men more in the offense, enabling Dereck Lively II to showcase some of his passing ability.
The Mavs were effectively challenging shots in the paint with Lively setting a tone with his interior presence. There was a clear focus for the Mavs to utilize more Veer switching, a concept the team has spent a significant amount of practice time on throughout Summer League. While there were struggles to contain the Warriors on the offensive glass early, Dallas had a real presence inside the paint.
It was another slow start for Jaden Hardy in the shot-making department as he had nine points on 2-8 shooting from the floor in the first, but his starting backcourt partner for the game — Mike Miles Jr. — picked up for the Mavs' offense to provide a spark alongside Hardy.
"Huge X factor. McKinley Wright goes down [it becomes] next man up," Summer Mavs coach Jared Dudley said. "He's ready to score. That elbow Stack play worked a lot by getting the back screen and him penetrating in there. We did away [action], he would snake drive."
Hardy did have some stretches in the third quarter by within the flow of the offense, but his efficiency ultimately didn't recover in the end. It took a balanced effort with defense and hustle plays from players like Olivier-Maxence Prosper, A.J. Lawson, and Lively to name a few, making a needed difference for the Mavs.
It was a close game for much of the matchup as the largest lead was just 10 by the Mavs before the final period. Dallas held just a three-point advantage entering the final period, but managed to use a made 3-pointer from Prosper to a 13-point lead with 7:15 remaining in regulation.
The Warriors' shot-making picked up midway through the final period, but the Mavs did effectively execute their defensive scheme. With Dallas' offensive execution struggling down the stretch, particularly from the free throw line, Golden State made it a one-point game (88-87) with 1:23 left to play.
After getting a crucial defensive stop, the Mavs received a clutch scoop finish from Miles to retake a three-point lead. However, the Warriors responded with a made 3-pointer from Kendric Davis to tie at 90-90 with 8.6 seconds on the clock. A missed step-back 3 from Hardy at the buzzer sent the game to overtime.
With the Summer League utilizing a target score of 97 to resolve overtime play, the Mavs nearly won using a Hardy 3-pointer when it was 94 apiece, but it was offline. A pair of made free throws by Lawson got the Mavs to 96 point, but the Warriors immediately answered with a scoop finish from Davis.
Hardy missed another potential game-winning shot, then Braxton Key made a game-winning putback after cleaning up a missed finish.
"Hell of a win. It was a weird game. We were up, credit them," Dudley said. "They came back and made some scores. And one thing I did tell the team and [Jaden] Hardy before the end of the fourth quarter. That's my fault in the play call to bring the ball screen [and] not to give him enough space and timing.
"Overtime was [Hardy['s fault. Overtime, I got the matchup I wanted. We had the big lifted, and he had 3-1 spacing to drive. He shot a step back," Dudley explained. "But hey, listen, that's one thing about this team. In the last two games, I don't care, overtime or not, down 17, [we] stuck with it — crashed, tip dunk for the win. It had me excited. I was, I was on the floor like J Kidd versus the Lakers this year."
The Mavs return to action on Friday when they take on the Indiana Pacers.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here. Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.
