Kyrie Irving Finds His Groove: In his second game back from injury, Irving showcased his skills and made a significant impact, particularly in the first half. He contributed 22 points, displaying a level of play reminiscent of his pre-injury form.

 

The Mavericks heavily rely on Irving’s production to remain competitive and provide much-needed support to Luka Doncic. Facing the Trail Blazers in a couple of exhibition games will undoubtedly aid Irving in regaining his rhythm.

 

Mavericks’ Frequent Trips to the Free Throw Line: Dallas had a near-flawless performance against the Blazers, shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc and 50 percent overall. Despite their shooting prowess, the Mavericks were also aggressive in attacking the rim, resulting in numerous trips to the free throw line. They attempted a total of 41 free throws. However, their longstanding issue with free throw shooting haunted them once again, as they only converted 70 percent of their attempts. Fortunately, this did not impact the outcome of the game.

 

Concerns over Lively’s Ankle Injury: During the third quarter, Dereck Lively suffered a twisted ankle and was unable to return to the game. The Mavericks labeled it as a sprained ankle, and it is a recurrence of an injury he suffered against the same Blazers a few weeks ago, causing him to miss four games.

 

Lively’s absence in the paint was sorely felt by Dallas, as they lack depth in their big man rotation with Maxi Kleber out and Jason Kidd seemingly overlooking Richaun Holmes. If Lively is sidelined for an extended period, it will significantly impact the Mavericks’ frontcourt options. Dwight Powell will be available, but their rotation will be compromised without Lively’s presence.