Game #29: Dallas Mavericks 107 - Toronto Raptors 110

[Jclaw]

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I may have signed up for the Brooklyn game but this was the stretch I wanted. Now, I wanted it with Pascal and Marc and Norm but did Rocky win when he had all that fancy equipment? No! He needed to chop wood in some Russian forest. Hearts On Fire. That's some RHJ music.
Time to see what they can do when the fire get hot.

At least we're starting off with the Doncic-less Mavs. They can't be that good. Let's see how they did in their last game...hmmm. Beat the full strength Sixers. Game before that? Close loss to the Celtics. One before that...ended the Bucks 18 game winning streak.
It won't be easy. The Mavs come in with the top ranked offense in the league.

I'm not even going to try to introduce their team.
They have one of the most meme-able players in the league

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And then it goes pretty nondescript from there

They've got a B list Canadian at C (no disrespect intended there)
A guy who sounds like an English butler at SF
Not even the best ex-Knick on the team at SG
And a 2018 second rounder at PG

Somehow they are 11-2 on the road and just went 2-1 against the Bucks/Celtics/Sixers
From what I hear they have a pretty special bench. To quote a certain Unicorn,
“We got out and do what we’re supposed to and play hard. No secret. We have a great bench and that’s our strength, just so many weapons.”

Weapons? You want weapons? We've got the ultimate bench weapon.

Not sure how this one will go. It's the start of a 3 games in 4 nights against some pretty good teams. Our depth is being tested. Hopefully it goes a bit like this.

Go Raps!

and remember, as of game time...

(all I want for Christmas is to start the next game thread)

[KeonClark]

Jclaw deserves the Christmas thread with this effort. Go raps.

[DanH]

Interested to get more looks at the fringe rotation guys and see if they can contribute. McCaw was OK last game, had a couple good stretches, and continues to disappoint defensively and in terms of boxing out. But overall he played a little more within himself, made a couple decent passes, and he did hit that clutch three. Miller looked like he hadn't played in ages. Hopefully another game or two under his belt shakes off that rust.

Will help them get into more of a groove if Nurse keeps groups of starters together instead of just one starter surrounded by 4 bench players (who are really just like 2 bench players and 2 depth guys). And no, McCaw doesn't count. OG, Serge, Kyle and Fred. A pair at all times would be ideal. OG was fantastic last night, hopefully he can carry that forward.

[inthepaint]

Is there a timeline for Matt Thomas's return?

[Jclaw]

Is there a timeline for Matt Thomas's return?

I think Nurse said another 2 weeks the other day. Hand is healed but not enough to be hit in a game

[Truth Teller]

Need to hold down the fort and wait until everyone is healthy. As long as we avoid the Bucks until late in the playoffs, we should still be able to go far.

[Gonzz]

It’s the winter solstice, shortest day of the year. Things only go up from here. Days get longer, raps get healthy and don’t forget it’s Gameday.

[Zak24gege]

It’s the winter solstice, shortest day of the year. Things only go up from here. Days get longer, raps get healthy and don’t forget it’s Gameday.

Time to even the score. Go Raps Go

[G__Deane]

Need to hold down the fort and wait until everyone is healthy. As long as we avoid the Bucks until late in the playoffs, we should still be able to go far.

Celtics, Heat, Pacers with Dipo back and Sixers could all take out the Raps in the first round, or the other way around. Bucks are taking the next step this season, Giannis is now the best/most complete player in the NBA, all respect to Kawhi and Davis, the alphabet is doing it basically alone ...

[golden]

Heavily depleted Raps vs Luka-less Mavs.... we are still favored by 3. Interesting.

[Jclaw]

It’s the winter solstice, shortest day of the year. Things only go up from here. Days get longer, raps get healthy and don’t forget it’s Gameday.

more importantly, remember its 3:30 gameday

[007]

Hernandez is out, lol

[inthepaint]

Hernandez is out, lol

Man for bigs (PF/C) we literally just have OG, Boucher and Serge (well RHJ if we want to play him at the 4, but daymn)

[nba_4_life]

Game day!!!!!

[007]

lol another three for McCaw