The Smoking Cuban
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The Dallas Mavericks Drop their Ninth Game to New Orleans

By Sean Bush

DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 3: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against Darius Miller #21 of the New Orleans Pelicans on November 3, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 3: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against Darius Miller #21 of the New Orleans Pelicans on November 3, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Mavericks fall to 1-9 tonight after the 99-94 loss to the Pelicans. This loss maintains Dallas’ title as having the worst record in the NBA to start the regular season.

The Mavericks’ poor start to the season continued tonight with a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Almost a month into the regular season, things have seemed to have gotten worse before they have gotten any better for Rick Carlisle’s squad.

The game started out all Pelicans as they raced out to a 15-5 lead in the 1st quarter with the Mavericks unable to slow down the twin towers of DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. The lead further ballooned to 26-12 before the bench unit gave the Mavericks some life and ended the quarter on a 13-2 run in Dallas’ favor. The Mavericks actually held the lead for a short period during the beginning of the 2nd quarter, but unfortunately it was never much of a game after that point.

Looking at the positives, Harrison Barnes had a great performance finishing with 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, as well as a steal and block as well. Barea and Harris had solid games off the bench and Salah Mejri had his best game of the season reeling in 13 rebounds and sending back 5 shots on defense.

Also, despite struggling with his outside shot tonight, Dennis Smith Jr. did provide us with this gem:

Nerlens Noel finished with only 13 minutes tonight as he seems to remain in the Rick Carlisle doghouse. It is clear that Noel must be doing something wrong when it comes to his effort or his basketball IQ that is keeping Carlisle from giving him significant time on the floor. It is important to give our young talent minutes but not at the cost of losing the locker room. This will be a situation to continue to monitor going forward.

The Mavericks were actually only out-rebounded by 6 boards tonight against a team with two of the best big men in the entire league. It was their shooting from the floor that was the biggest issue. Dallas had a putrid 38.6 FG% and a 26.5 3PT%. With those types of numbers, they were lucky to only lose by 5 points.

Looking forward, the Mavericks play tomorrow in Minnesota against the Timberwolves. It is always tough playing on the 2nd night of a back-to-back especially when you’re playing a talented team like Minnesota who has been off since Wednesday. According to the ESPN Power Index, the Mavericks have the toughest schedule in November of the entire league. They’ll have to get things going fast if they want to turn this season around.

Next: The Boston Celtics, Nerlens Noel, and the DPE

Hang in there Mavs fans, things have looked bleak but the night is always darkest just before the dawn. Yikes, I guess I’m resorting to The Dark Knight references now. The best fans stick with the team through the ups and the downs and when we reach the mountain top once again it will feel that much more rewarding if you do. As always, go Mavs!

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