3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' first Summer League victory over Celtics

Dallas Mavericks, Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Dallas Mavericks, Olivier-Maxence Prosper / Candice Ward/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next

The Dallas Mavericks faced off against the Boston Celtics on Friday. The team completed their fourth Summer League game with a 101-90 win, as the Mavs got the best of Boston. Dallas led the whole game and did their part in nothing allowing the Celtics to creep back.

This was a different outcome from their first three games. Dallas did well in Game 1 against the Utah Jazz but struggled to close things out in the fourth quarter. Players such as Alex Fudge and Olivier-Maxence Prosper struggled to get things going.

Things took a different turn in Game 3 when the Mavs fell to the Miami Heat 92-79. The problem? Dallas struggled shooting the ball, as they shot 39.2 overall and 27.3 percent from the 3-point line. They also committed 24 fouls and 18 turnovers.

3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' first Summer League victory over Celtics

However, the Mavericks did see the progression of Jazian Gortman on Wednesday. The small guard balled out, as he had 19 points, three assists, and two steals. He is also a growing shooter, who has a quick release and could develop into a great role player.

So, he could be the Mavs' solution to their final roster spot. He made an impact in the G League last season, scoring 9.4 points per game and shooting 40.6 percent from the field. His athleticism and long wingspan make him a top prospect for Dallas.

Gortman though isn't the only player making a name for himself.

Here are some of his teammates who found success, while others struggled against the Celtics Friday.

5. Stud - Emanuel Miller

Emanuel Miller is a savvy forward who has been a huge help for the Mavericks this summer. He performed well in his first summer game, scoring eight points and three rebounds.

Miller struggled shooting in Game 3 as he shot 37.5 percent overall and missed his 3-point attempts. He improved his shooting in Game 4 though going 57.1 percent from the field and 50 percent from long range.

Miller's offensive game is one of his biggest strengths. He showed signs of that Friday, using his quickness to attack the basket and demonstrating his confidence in shooting the ball. He made a nice mid-range jumper over a bigger defender, showcasing he isn't afraid of the defense presented to him.

Another thing about Miller is his ability to do the little things. To pair with his improved shooting, Miller had seven rebounds and two blocks against the Celtics. His rebound game was more prominent on the defensive side, as he came down with five defensive boards.

He is an aggressive player who will do whatever it takes to help his team. If given the proper minutes, he can do some damage. For example, in Game 2 he scored 12 points and had four steals in 27 minutes.

Miller is one player not afraid to make his presence known.