Why the Mavs Struggled Against Myles Turner

 

 

Despite what turned out to be a thrilling game the one big takeaway from the Dallas Mavericks‘ 121-130 loss to the Indiana Pacers was how much Myles Turner was able to do.  At the beginning of the game, it was apparent that the Mavericks were just a step late on defense.

 

#Mavs are just slightly late on their defensive rotations. That should fix itself the more they play together. #DALatIND

— DallasSportsFanatic (@Dallas_Fanatic) October 26, 2016

 

The Mavericks allowed the Pacers to score 130 points in this contest so there was no shortage of points to go around; Paul George collected his normal 25 points, new addition Jeff Teague had his way with JJ Barea to the tune of 20 points, and Monta Ellis[note]Have it all[/note] dropped 19 of his own against his former team.  But none of these players led the Pacers in scoring last night.  Second-year player and Dallas’ own Myles Turner led the way with 30 points[note]2 Points shy of setting his career high[/note] making 13 of his 19 shot attempts.

 

The 11th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft had some success in his rookie season including a 31 point performance against the Warriors[note]meaning Turner has dropped 30 & 31 points against Andrew Bogut[/note] but this was his breakout performance.  A performance which he capped off with a bang or at least a slam.

 

https://streamable.com/u89m?width=560&height=315

 

It seemed like Turner had his way with the Mavericks last night, but why? First off, the Mavs know a lot about a big man that can stretch the floor with his shooting.  Watch this pick-and-pop with Teague.  Teague drives into the paint and pulls Bogut off of Turner.  Deron Williams is either too slow on the switch or was never supposed to and Turner basically gets an open 20ft jumper.

 

https://streamable.com/2j81?width=560&height=315

 

Even if Deron would have switched, Turner could have easily caught a pass in the paint like this play later in the Second Quarter.  The Mavericks went really small[note]Not necessarily size-wise but in the way they played, Dirk is 7ft but he’s not a traditional rim protecting center[/note] on a few occasions like this and Turner made them pay the price.

 

https://streamable.com/z5p8?width=560&height=315

 

At the beginning of the possession Dirk came up to defend Turner but then Deron decided to take Turner moving Dirk to guard CJ Miles.  Harrison Barnes was guarding Miles originally but then Dirk called for him to switch and take Deron’s man, Stuckey.  The Pacers basically waited for the Mavericks to get set in their (terrible) adjusted-defensive-assignments until Monta initiated their offense.  Miles came running up to set a screen on Barea which pulled Dirk out of the paint and allowed Myles a clear shot to the basket.  George threw Turner a lob over D-Will’s head and Turner capitalized.

 

All that to say, these small lineups the Mavs are going to try this season[note]ARE SUPER FUN[/note] give up a lot on the defensive end; especially if Harrison Barnes is matched up against a three point shooter like Miles.  To again prove this point, Monta sort of avoids a screen from Turner and drives into the paint.  The Mavs defense collapsed on him and then Ellis dumped the ball off to a diving Turner behind him for a semi-easy layup.

 

https://streamable.com/jn50?width=560&height=315

 

The defense that collapsed on him was really all of the Mavericks available defenders.  Dirk was technically guarding Turner initially but tried to front Monta as he drove into the paint, Deron followed Monta as well, and Harrison Barnes sagged off of his man (Miles in the corner) to try and thwart Turner’s attempt as well.  Wes and Barea never fully left their assignments but both turned completely around and watched Turner get to the basket.  Just look at this still image of that play.  If Dirk or Barnes had gotten better position between Turner and the basket Turner could have easily passed out to Miles or Stuckey[note]Stuck-o shot 16% on Open Threes last season though so we’re fine with that[/note] for an open three.

 

Just to prove Turner wasn’t completely faultless in this game here’s JJ Barea driving and getting a layup against him.

 

https://streamable.com/7lod?width=560&height=315

 

The Mavericks are really going to struggle this season against dynamic big men like Turner that can shoot and finish around the basket, especially in some of these small lineups.  Don’t be surprised if a few other players like Turner have career nights against the Mavericks this season.  Not every team has a Myles Turner though, but a few come to mind:

 

Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers (Oct 26th, Dec 9th)
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves (Jan 9th, Jan 15th, and Feb 24)
Anthony Davis[note]Dude just scored 50 on the Nuggets, but his team is terrible[/note], New Orleans Pelicans (Nov 27th, Dec 26th, Feb 25th, Mar 29th)
Draymond Green and/or Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors (Nov 9th, Dec 30th, Mar 21st)
DeMarcus Cousins[note]He shot a better percentage on open threes than Seth Curry last year[/note], Sacramento Kings (Dec 7th, Dec 18th, Apr 4th)
Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks (Jan 7th, Mar 1st)
Al Horford, Boston Celtics (Nov 16th, Feb 13th)
LaMarcus Aldridge[note]Less driving ability than the others but still effective[/note], San Antonio Spurs (No 21st, Nov 30th, Jan 29th, Apr 7th)
Blake Griffin[note]Apparently he shoots threes now but I’ll believe it when I see it[/note], Los Angeles Clippers (Nov 23rd, Dec 23rd, Mar 23rd)
Al-Farouq Aminu[note]He starts at the 4 spot for them…those will be interesting games[/note] , Portland Trailblazers (Nov 4th, Dec 21st, Feb 3rd, Feb 7th)

 

*Home Game Dates in Bold