Coverage of the 128-110 loss in Houston keeps returning to three themes: the three-point shot, Kyrie Irving's quiet night and Walter Clayton Jr.'s arrival. The numbers back the first two and limit what Dallas should expect from the third.
The Shooting Alarm Is Real
The Smoking Cuban's Will Miller wrote that Dallas's long-running problem from three is already back, and the opener gives him plenty of support. Max Christie, last season's best shooter at 40.4 percent, went 1-7 from deep and finished -21. Cooper Flagg went 1-4, and Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington each went 2-6. Only Marcus Sasser, 4-5 off the bench, made Houston pay. This is not a one-night problem: Flagg shot 29.5 percent and Marshall 29.1 last season, for an offense rated 110.3. The Smoking Cuban's Noah Weber also argued that Zaccharie Risacher already looks way behind. The numbers push back on that: Risacher hit 36.8 percent last season and was +7 in 27 minutes, second on the team to Daniel Gafford's +9.
Irving Was Efficient, Not Featured
ESPN's Tim MacMahon wrote that the Rockets hounded Irving and held him in check. The box score supports only half of that. Irving made 6 of 9 shots for 15 points, so the looks he got went in. The real issues were volume and ball security: he had 4 turnovers in only 24 minutes. Flagg carried the offense instead, with 32 points on 10-17 shooting and 11-13 at the line. MacMahon also reported that Tari Eason was ejected for shoving Washington in the back. Washington's night was rough regardless: 10 points, 4 turnovers and a team-worst -27. Mavs Moneyball's quoteboard led with a postgame admission that Houston outworked Dallas. A 12-point second quarter, which included a 14-0 Rockets run, tells the same story.
Clayton Fills One Gap
ESPN, Hoops Rumors, Mavs Moneyball and Mavs.com all reported the two-way contract for Walter Clayton Jr., who joined the roster on Oct. 22. The Smoking Cuban's Noah Weber took it both ways, calling the signing a first step for the backcourt while warning that Clayton won't fix it on his own. The second view fits the numbers. Clayton averaged 4.0 assists in 20.4 minutes last season, which gives a backcourt that leans on Irving another ball handler. But he shot 30.7 percent from three, so he does nothing for the problem Miller flagged. With Clayton signed, payroll is $197.9M, still under the $200.4M tax line. Indiana is next on Oct. 23, and Lively, Santi Aldama, Caleb Martin, Jett Howard and Tarik Biberovic are all listed with that date as their target return.
Why did the Mavericks lose to the Rockets in the season opener?
Houston won the second quarter 38-12 and led by as many as 37, while no Dallas player except Marcus Sasser shot well from three. Cooper Flagg scored 32 in the 128-110 loss.
Did the Mavericks sign Walter Clayton Jr. to a two-way contract?
Yes. ESPN, Hoops Rumors and Mavs.com reported a two-way deal, and he joined the roster on Oct. 22 after averaging 7.8 points and 4.0 assists last season.
