Mavs starting lineup debuts, hand Cavaliers first loss, Pacers up next

The Dallas Mavericks (2-2) were finally able to throw out their revamped starting five of Jameer Nelson, Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons, Dirk Nowitzki, and Tyson Chandler against the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight (4-1) in their 108-102 win.

New starts Parsons and Nelson would each lead the Mavs with 19 points. The Cavs, without Kevin Love and Shawn Marion, were led by Kyrie Irving‘s 23 points and 5 assists. LeBron James finished with just 12 points on 3-6 shooting. Tristan Thompson, filling in for Love, had the lone double-double of the game (17 points, 11 rebounds).

Fire Power

It’s becoming apparent that the Mavs are going to put up points. Four of the five starters scored over double digits. Nowitzki had 16 points and a team-high 9 rebounds and Monta added 13 points and a team-high 8 assists before limping of the court during the fourth quarter. In the first and third quarters, the Mavs would combine for 69 points behind their starter heavy lineups. And this is with Tyson Chandler putting up a goose egg in the scoring column.

The bench duo of Devin Harris (13 points) and Brandan Wright (11 points in 12 minutes) picked up from where they left off last season. Al-Farouq Aminu ended the night with 9 rebounds, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and this nice coast-to-coast slam in 21 minutes.

As a whole, the team would shoot 45.9% from the field and 41.2% (14-34) from behind the arc. The Cavs would match the Mavs 45.9% and and go 15-37 (40.5%)from three.

Wait, Monta Limping?

Yup. There is nothing out yet about what happened and the severity. Stay tuned for more.

Three Guard Lineup

The three guard lineup is back or it was for the night. Nelson, Harris, and Monta spent a decent time together on the court with Parsons at the PF spot.

We remember Rick Carlisle using Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, and J.J. Barea together during the championship run, so it won’t be a shock to see this becoming a common sight.

Backup Minutes

Aminu (21) would see the most court time. Jae Crowder would see 13 minutes of action, and Richard Jefferson would only see two.  Aminu’s length, defense, and rebounding may catapult him ahead of his peers.

For minutes behind Chandler, Brandan Wright and Greg Smith would each see 12 minutes. Wright’s 11 points and 2 rebounds outdid Smith’s 2 points and one board.

Battle For A Roster Spot

It was rumored that the Mavs are looking to shop Gal Mekel and/or Bernard James. James wouldn’t see the court, but Mekel would make a strong case to stick. Mekel finished with just 3 points and 2 assists, but he would do it during the final four minutes of the game (his only action). He would hit a dagger three and set up Wright for a pretty pop to seal the game.

Charlie Villanueva, rumored to be the player the Mavs plan on keeping at the expense of Sarge or Mekel, played just under a minute.

You can read why the Mavs may keep Charlie V and if he can contribute to the team by Andrew Tobolowsky.

Doron Lamb, Ivan Johnson, and Eric Griffin wouldn’t see the court.

Up next?

The Mavs will face the Indiana Pacers tomorrow at 6 PM CT; their first back-to-back this “season”.

It’s very likely the Mavs will rest Nowitzki and others for rest purposes. This will be the second time these two teams face this preseason.

The Mavs would take game one, winning 106-98 in Nowitzki’s debut. He and Villanueva would each score 16 points to lead Dallas.

The Pacers, without Roy Hibbert, Paul George, and Rodney Stuckey, were led behind 19 points of C.J. Miles and the 16 points of C.J. Watson.

With many guys expected to rest or play few minutes, this could be make or break for some of the back-end Mavs players.