Quick Fire: Mavericks Fall To Cavaliers, Stay Winless

 

Tony Dejak, AP

Last night, something had to give. The Dallas Mavericks entered Quicken Loans Arena to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both teams had failed to snag their first victory of the season, so someone was going to come away with one on this night. The Mavericks stormed out of the gate with Dirk Nowitzki, John Jenkins, and Raymond Felton scoring at will, but it was the strong push by the Cavaliers in the second half that was inevitably too much for Dallas to handle.

 

“It’s disappointing that we lost, but I thought again the guys at the end really hung in and worked hard to give us a chance.” – Rick Carlisle

 

The Cavaliers did not have the services of LeBron James, but the Mavericks were playing without multiple starters in Chandler Parsons, Deron Williams, and Wesley Matthews. Zaza Pachulia and J.J. Barea also sat out, along with JaVale Mcgee. 

 

Nowitzki looked good early, eventually tallying 13 points, including hitting all three of his shots from beyond the arc. It was also another standout performance by preseason sensation, John Jenkins. He scored 26 points on 5-13 shooting, but it just wasn’t enough in the end. 

 

“I want to win so bad. Every game we’re right there, and I’m disappointed in myself how I didn’t lead the team in the fourth quarter. I felt like I could have done a way better job of getting guys involved and getting some type of flow in the fourth quarter. We kept it close, but I felt like it was my fault. I had some bonehead turnovers at the end and was just not being decisive. I can’t do that.” – John Jenkins

 

Up Next:

 

The Dallas Mavericks will head home to take on the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. The game will start at 7:30 p.m. CT and will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest.