NBA: German Block Party: Nowitzki and Kleber stop Toronto

The Dallas Mavericks (10-25) surprised the Toronto Raptors (23-9) and beat the Eastern Conference leader 98:93. At first, Dirk Nowitzki and Maxi Kleber block everything away. In the second half J. J. was then called J. J. Barea becomes the decisive man for the Mavs.

The Raptors looked tired at the start of the game and didn’t really get off to a flying start. The Canadians found their way into the zone, but couldn’t finish there, also because Maxi Kleber and Dirk Nowitzki threw a block party. With some of Kyle Lowry’s threesome, Toronto turned the match around in the second leg, but Dallas finished the quarter with the starters, including a sticky-alloy op.

After the change, Toronto showed an improvement, even though DeMar DeRozan did not find his touch. Backcourt colleague Lowry consistently created good looks for himself and his fellow players. Jakob Pöltl also helped Toronto to regain the lead as Jonas Valanciunas had to take a seat on the bench with foul problems. Dallas then found at the end of the quarter by the previously weak J. J. Barea regained the flow of the offense and the game overturned with a 19:2 run (85:77).

The final phase was a real wear-and-tear battle. No team was able to score any more good throws. Toronto came back to the line more often and continued to be a striking distance. In addition, it became heated when Serge Ibaka and Salah Mejri clashed with each other. Toronto played four guards in Crunchtime (Lowry, DeRozan, Delon Wright, Fred VanVleet), which Dallas couldn’t cope with at all. Ibaka narrowed to three points a minute before the end and could have equalled from downtown, but try looked into the basket, but went out again. So Barea decided the game with a wild layup 10 seconds before the end to 98:93.

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The Guard was also top scorer of the Mavs with 20 points. In the first half, however, Harrison Barnes (16), Nowitzki (18 points, 8/13 FG, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Kleber (15.6/9 FG, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks) had taken the offense. In Toronto this was mainly done by Lowry (23). But during the Crunchtime he didn’t get much more from him. Valanciunas (17 points, 12 rebounds) controlled a double-double, while Pöltl (9.4 rebounds) played a solid 18 minutes.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Toronto Raptors: This way to the BOXSCORE!

Maxi glue. After last time rather weak games this time in the first half really strong. Defended much against Valanciunas and also cleared the Lithuanian twice, which frustrated him visibly. Also active with some steals, a good hand of downtown and some crashing alley oops. The second half belonged to the lively Barea.

DeMar DeRozan. It just wasn’t his night. In the first half he created some good throws for his team-mates, but after the change he wanted to force it too much (1/8 FG in the third quarter), also because he didn’t get any whistles this time. Wesley Matthews did an excellent job in defense against the Raptors’ High Volume Scorer and was responsible for the shooting guard’s 8 points (3/16 FG) and 5 assists.

Dallas was determined to prevent Toronto from making easy points in the Zone. This worked out to a large extent, albeit often only with a foul. However, the Raptors’ strong shooters did not come into their own with the exception of Lowry. The highly acclaimed Second Units Toronto also had problems this time because Dallas Delon Wright, Norman Powell and Co. consistently ignored at the perimeter.