Anthony Davis played only 24 minutes in his long-delayed second game with the Dallas Mavericks, but his presence helped the Mavericks’ defense. As did playing the Brooklyn Nets.
Davis didn’t waste any time getting involved Monday night, scoring the Mavericks’ first points just 18 seconds into the game. He scored again on the next Dallas possession and assisted Spencer Dinwiddie’s basket on the following one.
He finished with 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, plus a block and a steal, shooting 6-for-9.
The Mavericks were 14 points better than the Nets with AD on the court in their 120-101 victory. With Davis starting alongside Kai Jones, fans got a glimpse of the mega-sized frontcourt GM Nico Harrison envisioned after trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Davis and Max Christie.
It was the Mavericks’ defense that stood out. The team had the 26th-ranked defense since Davis suffered an adductor strain Feb. 8, ahead of only four tanking teams.
Monday, the Mavericks held Brooklyn to 48 points in the first half, only the second time they’d kept an opponent below 50 before halftime since Davis was injured.
That’s what the Mavericks will need to make the play-in tournament, since the Doncic trade and Kyrie Irving’s season-ending injury have greatly hampered the Mavericks’ offense. The win moved them a half-game ahead of the Phoenix Suns for 10th place in the West. Phoenix is healthier, but it also has the NBA’s toughest remaining schedule going forward.
Davis may remain under a minutes restriction and could very well sit out Tuesday’s back-to-back against the New York Knicks, but his return gives the Mavericks a real chance to compete again — and gives his team some faint hope in a disastrous season.
