Dallas, TX
3 Overreactions as Cooper Flagg Shines Once Again, But Mavericks Fall to Rockets
The Dallas Mavericks entered Saturday night riding a three-game losing streak, and they were facing their in-state rival, the Houston Rockets, for the final time this season already. Houston has been one of the better teams in the West despite injuries and a strange lineup.
The first quarter was mostly back and forth, as most NBA games are, seeing 7 lead changes and three ties. But it also started extremely ugly. Brandon Williams was eventually electric off the bench for the Mavs, scoring 13 points in the first quarter, but he’d get hurt in the second quarter before being ruled out for the game.
Houston started to take control in the second quarter, but especially Jabari Smith Jr. Daniel Gafford had a big quarter for the Mavs, which was a good sign to see given how iffy this season has been for him. Maybe that’ll convince a team to trade a first-round pick for him at the deadline this year.
The Rockets led 59-51 at halftime, and it looked like they were going to run away with the game in the third quarter, pushing the lead to as large as 13 a few times. But as the Mavericks have done all year, they refused to die. After the second time that the Rockets went up by 13, the Mavericks outscored Houston 13-5 with some impressive buckets from Cooper Flagg, helping to shrink the gap to just 5 at the end of the quarter.
Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard tried to put the game away, immediately pushing the lead up to 11, but Klay Thompson and Cooper Flagg had answers for that. The Mavericks refused to die, getting the lead down to 2 with a dunk from Daniel Gafford in the final three minutes.
Naji Marshall tied the game with a layup with about 47 seconds to go, which helped complete a wild comeback. However, Alperen Sengun retook the lead on the next sequence, Cooper Flagg missed a tough layup, and Tari Eason got free for a dunk to put the game away. Houston would go on to win 111-107.
Here are three overreactions from this loss.
READ MORE: Knicks Preparing Underwhelming Trade Package for Coveted Dallas Mavericks Wing
1. Trade Every Veteran in Cooper Flagg’s Way
Cooper Flagg was already a really good rookie. And he’s somehow only getting better. He followed up his incredible 49-point performance last game with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists on 13/25 shooting. He nearly tripled Kevin Durant’s scoring output. At this point, just let him take every single shot so he can continue putting up historic numbers. If someone wants Naji Marshall? Talk them into a first-round pick for him. Anybody want Anthony Davis? Please, take him. Trade any veteran who is not letting Flagg shine the way he should be.
2. Basketball Gods Should Rewards Ethically Tanking Again
The Mavericks are now 11 games under .500 with 33 games remaining. It’s not worth trying to fight into the Play-In Tournament, but they’re still in nearly every game. They fight as hard as any team, and hopefully, that lands them another top pick in the draft lottery. Mavericks fans maybe shouldn’t be asking for too much after already getting lucky once with Cooper Flagg, but considering how screwed over they were by Nico Harrison, another top pick wouldn’t be so bad.
3. There Will Be Conversations About P.J. Washington This Offseason
P.J. Washington is a good basketball player. He does not fit this roster. Granted, a lot of this roster doesn’t fit together, but he just doesn’t fit alongside Cooper Flagg. Too many of their skillsets overlap, and Flagg is better at nearly all of them and will only get better. Washington can’t be traded until the offseason because of when he signed his contract, but there will be conversations this offseason.
READ MORE: Why Mavericks’ Biggest Trade Deadline Need Might Not Be What Fans Expect
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Dallas, TX
Petar Musa’s Brace Not Enough as FC Dallas Draws LA Galaxy 2-2
For a moment, it looked like FC Dallas was on its way to another statement win at home tonight.
Petar Musa scored two first half goals, to extend his Golden Boot leading tally to nine goals. But after Dallas grabbed control, the Galaxy found a way back before halftime with goals from Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil.
The second half brought more chances and more frustration for Dallas, which finished the night with 13 shots to LA’s nine. In the end, the point stretched Dallas’ unbeaten run to five games, though just like last week, it felt like another match where Dallas left points on the table.
Key Moments
7’ – GOAL! After a poor pass back by a LA defender, Petar Musa was free to go one-on-one with the LA goalkeeper. After a touch to get ahead of a defender, Musa slotted home his eighth goal of the season from outside the penalty box.
21’ – Offside! Joaquin Valiente sent a floating ball over the Galaxy defense, where Musa was able to get behind the defense and make an easy play for what appeared to be his second goal of the night. The play was called offside despite a fairly lengthy review period.
38’ – GOAL! This one counts! Musa gets his second of the night off a great ball from Chris Cappis. Logan Farrington picked off the ball in the midfield. He then played Cappis wide to the left of the penalty area. Cappis immediately played a ball back across the goal for Musa to slide in and finish for his ninth of the season.
43’ – Goal LA. Lucas Sanabria got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He took a couple of touches to get outside the penalty box before firing a shot that beat Michael Collodi at the near post.
45+4’ – Goal LA. Gabriel Pec got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He pulled the ball back a bit, which caught a pair of Dallas defenders. This allowed Joseph Painstil to get free behind the Dallas defense as Pec played him through inside the penalty area. Pec immediately smashed home a shot above Collodi to tie the game.
75’ – Another offside goal. This time on a corner kick for Dallas, after a scrum in the penalty box, Kaick hammered home what looked to be the go-ahead goal. But after a few seconds the flag was raised due to a deflection on Osaze Urhoghide, who was in an offside position.
Instant Reaction
Yeah, this is another disappointing result for this team. In a real way, it felt like the first half against Houston from last month. Dallas grabbed the lead, looked in control, but some defensive miscues opened the game up for the visitors to climb back.
With a double-game week coming up, this will certainly be another game where Dallas will wonder ‘what if’ more than anything else…especially when you factor in the two goals called off for offside.
About the Subs
Eric Quill went to his bench for the first time in the 66th minute, as he brought on Santiago Moreno for Logan Farrington. Quill went to his bench again 81st minute with Ran Binyamin and Nolan Norris coming on for Sebastien Ibeagha and Deedson. The final sub came during stoppage time with Herman Johansson and Joaquin Valiente coming off for Sam Sarver and rookie Nick Simmonds, who made his MLS debut.
Man of the Match
No question about it tonight, it has to be Musa.
Where does this fit into the season
As of this writing, the draw puts Dallas into a three-way tie for 5th place with Real Salt Lake and Seattle. Both are in action right now and look firmly in control of their games. I’d expect Dallas to be in 7th place by the end of the night.
What’s next for FC Dallas
Dallas wraps up a three-game homestand next Wednesday night as they host Minnesota United.
Dallas, TX
Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft
Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Pass rush has been an issue since the Micah Parsons trade. The Rashan Gary trade helped, but Dallas still needs an injection of talent. Akheem Mesidor fits here because his body size allows for some versatility inside and out, something DC Christian Parker utilizes. Mesidor is also a high-motor player with a deep bag of pass rush moves.
His last season at Miami was full of disruption in the offensive backfield and he shows an all-around game, not just a bend-around-the-edge pass rusher. Yes, he’s a little older than you’d like in a rookie (25), but his motor, pass rush toolbox, and ability to play the run matches up with a need and makes him a quality pick at number 20.
Dallas, TX
Dallas Hosting Public Safety Response Symposium
The City of Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight is hosting a Public Safety Response Symposium to connect residents with public safety leaders. Here’s how to participate on May 9.
The Dallas Police Department posted to social media about the event on Friday afternoon. The post states, “Join public safety leaders for an inside look at how emergency and non-emergency calls are handled and how resources are deployed across Dallas.”
The symposium will be held at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St., fro 11 a.m.-noon on May 9. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.
Topics for the symposium include:
- How 911 calls are handled and dispatched
- How DPD uses specialized units and technology to improve response times
- When to use 311 for non-emergency services
- How crisis and behavioral health teams collaborate through alternative response strategies
There will also be a community Q&A forum where residents can engage directly with public safety leaders. Moderation will be provided.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux will offer the opening remarks. Featured speakers include 911 Communications Center Assistant Director Robert Uribe; Major of Police Anthony Greer; 311 Senior Outreach Specialist Stephen Walker; and Emergency Management & Crisis Response Director Kevin Oden.
When it comes to parking: Enter through Gate 2 and drive straight to the Pan Am Gate, and continue to the Briscoe Center (located on the left).
RSVP for the Public Safety Response Symposium here.
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