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Brunson torches Jazz again as Mavs go up 2-1

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Brunson torches Jazz again as Mavs go up 2-1


SALT LAKE CITY — Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson barked a couple of selection phrases at a referee, incomes solely the second technical foul of his NBA profession, as he rubbed his decrease again and gingerly walked towards the locker room.

Utah Jazz ahead Royce O’Neale had simply delivered a working elbow to Brunson’s again as gamers positioned themselves for a rebound, forcing Brunson to exit Thursday’s Recreation 3 for the ultimate 4 minutes and 38 seconds of the primary half.

That is about the one method the Jazz have managed to decelerate Brunson over the previous couple of video games.

The Mavs seized a 2-1 collection lead with a 126-118 win largely as a result of Brunson delivered his second consecutive spectacular efficiency whereas Mavs celebrity level guard Luka Doncic recovers from his left calf pressure. Doncic has been ramping up his basketball exercise and hopes to make his collection debut in Saturday’s Recreation 4.

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Brunson had 31 factors on 12-of-22 capturing. That got here on the heels of a career-high 41 factors on 15-of-25 capturing in Monday’s Recreation 2 win. It is the primary time Brunson, a four-year veteran, has scored 30 or extra factors in consecutive video games in his NBA profession.

“It is simply me being myself, simply attempting to assist my group win,” mentioned Brunson, who additionally had 5 assists Thursday. “That is all I am occupied with now. I am not likely occupied with it as a coming-out get together.”

Brunson, the Mavs’ second-leading scorer with 16.3 factors per recreation, has starred within the collection as Dallas’ major ballhandler with Doncic sidelined. He has constantly exploited the Jazz’s shoddy on-ball protection, usually serving as a catalyst for ball motion that has been a vital aspect within the Mavs making 40 3s of their two victories, together with 18-of-42 capturing from lengthy vary in Recreation 3.

All 31 of Brunson’s factors in Recreation 3 got here off the dribble, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Info analysis. He scored 22 factors within the paint, utilizing a mix of ballhandling, footwork, energy and contact to torch the Jazz.

“He is a gifted participant,” Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell mentioned. “And he is a winner. You are seeing that. Just about for the primary time in his profession, individuals are actually seeing it.”

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Mitchell scored 28 of his game-high 32 factors within the second half, when the Jazz slashed a 17-point deficit to 1 earlier than falling brief.

“We’re taking part in at such a stage that we’re capable of stand up to their runs,” mentioned Brunson, who has dedicated just one turnover prior to now two video games. “The very fact we have been in a position to try this tonight is particular, as a result of clearly this can be a arduous place to play. We have simply received to proceed to play our type of basketball and stick collectively. I believe that we did that. Even once they reduce it to 1, we have been nonetheless poised. We have been nonetheless calm and picked up. We have simply received to maintain that up.”

Utah performed a big stretch of the second half with 6-foot-6 Eric Paschall at heart, scrambling for options.

The Jazz have been outscored by 26 with All-Star heart Rudy Gobert on the ground prior to now two video games. The Mavs have had success taking part in a five-out offensive type, largely as a result of backup heart Maxi Kleber has snapped out of his late-season capturing stoop, going 12-of-16 from 3-point vary. Kleber had 17 factors in 22 minutes on Thursday, when he made 4 of his 5 3-point makes an attempt.

The Vivint Enviornment crowd booed the Jazz late within the second quarter and going into halftime, annoyed by watching Utah get picked aside by Dallas with out Doncic in a lot the identical method the LA Clippers did with out injured star Kawhi Leonard in final yr’s playoffs.

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“Everyone expects us to care for enterprise, and we did not within the first half,” Mitchell mentioned. “We received booed. It’s what it’s. The group that bounced again, that reveals who our character is. We’ll take that, have a look at the movie and regulate.”



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Dallas, TX

Live updates from Stars-Avalanche Game 6: Dallas tries again to wrap up series

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Live updates from Stars-Avalanche Game 6: Dallas tries again to wrap up series


For the second time, the Dallas Stars will attempt to close out the seemingly stubborn Colorado Avalanche on Friday night.

Colorado staved off elimination on Wednesday with a 5-3 win in Dallas, forcing Friday’s Game 6 in Colorado. The Stars take a 3-2 lead into the series’ pivotal sixth game and no doubt Pete DeBoer, Jamie Benn, Wyatt Johnston and all the rest would like to avoid a win-or-go-home Game 7.

Will we shake hands tonight, or are we headed back to Dallas for 7?

Follow along below for live updates and coverage.

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Sports Roundup

Get the latest D-FW sports news, analysis, scores and more.

Who to follow on Twitter: @lassimak | @dmn_stars

Game updates

First period, 6:30 remaining:

First period, 7:00 remaining: A bit of a choppy start to Game 6 — lots of whistles, stops and starts. Just seven shots on goal through the first eight minutes of play as both teams look to get their offenses settled.

Pregame updates

8:43 p.m.: Here are the Stars’ expected lines for Friday night, with a jolt of a surprise: Recent call-up Alexander Petrovic is in for Nils Lundkvist. Petrovic is a 32-year-old defenseman who appeared in one game for Dallas this season.

Robertson-Duchene-Pavelski

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Harley-Heiskanen

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Suter-Petrovic

Oettinger

Pregame reading

— Can Jake Oettinger find another bounce-back win to end Avs series? ‘He’s a response guy’

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— Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz out for Game 6 vs. Colorado with injury

— Joe Pavelski likely on ‘18th hole’ but can still help Stars, says NHL analyst Eddie Olczyk

— Stars may have given the Avalanche new life by playing wide-open style in Game 5 loss

— The Stars fought to win home-ice advantage, so why are they struggling to win at home?

    Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz out for Game 6 vs. Colorado with injury
    Stars scratch Nils Lundkvist for Game 6 vs. Colorado; Alexander Petrovic in lineup

Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.





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Ranking the Dallas Cowboys’ projected defensive starters for 2024

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Ranking the Dallas Cowboys’ projected defensive starters for 2024


The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for the 2024 NFL season, and their defense will need to be special if they will be contenders.

With several key players returning and some new faces in the mix, let’s look at the projected starters and rank them based on what we expect to see from their performance on the field.

Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith (58) wears a Guardian

Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith (58) wears a Guardian / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mazi Smith had a disappointing rookie season, so putting him any higher on this list wouldn’t feel right. The hope is that he thrives in Mike Zimmer’s system and can become the dominant run-stopper that they drafted him to be.

Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (35) wears a Guardian

Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (35) wears a Guardian / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately for Overshown, he tore his ACL during the preseason, and we never saw him play during his rookie season. Reports say Overshown has put on some extra muscle during the offseason and the coaches are impressed with how he attacked the recovery process.

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I expect Overshown to be much higher on this list next year.

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damone Clark (33) reacts after a

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damone Clark (33) reacts after a / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Clark missed a significant chunk of his rookie campaign recovering from a neck injury he suffered at LSU. Last season, he started all 17 games for the Cowboys and had a solid year.

He needs to improve at stacking and shedding blocks in the run game, but he brings sideline-to-sideline speed and toughness to this defense.

Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs against

Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs against / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Malik Hooker joined the Cowboys in 2021, and he has been one of their better free-agent signings in recent memory.

While he’s not an all-pro type of safety, he is reliable and has done an excellent job playing coverage in the deep third of Dallas’ defense. Fortunately for the Cowboys, Hooker has been able to stay healthy, which he was never able to do during his time with the Indianapolis Colts.

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Oct 1, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA;  Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) carries the

Oct 1, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) carries the / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Kendricks isn’t quite the player he used to be for the Minnesota Vikings, but he is still a solid linebacker. He’s smart, tough, and has a great feel for zone coverage. He is the perfect kind of mentor who should do wonders for the development of the young linebackers on this team.

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) celebrates with

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) celebrates with / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Donovan Wilson has been up and down over the past few seasons. But when he is healthy, he is a missile in the secondary.

Wilson is a pseudo-linebacker who plays like his hair is on fire and adds intensity to this team.

Oct 9, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97)

Oct 9, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Odighizuwa doesn’t get much love from the national media, but the coaches and players on this team know that he is a force. Osa is as tough as nails and does a lot of the dirty work on the interior of this defense. Dallas’ run defense would be hard to watch without Odighizuwa.

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) tackles

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) tackles / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Lawrence has been a cornerstone player for the Dallas Cowboys for a decade, and somehow, he is still criminally underrated. He is, arguably, the best run-defending EDGE in the entire NFL and has great versatility to play all over the defensive line.

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Ranking him as the fourth-best defensive player felt too low, but Dallas has some dominant players on the defensive side of the ball.

Jan 8, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) gestures on the

Jan 8, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) gestures on the / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

On most teams, Diggs would be their best defensive player. He missed most of the 2023 season with an ACL tear in his left knee, but he is expected to be ready for training camp.

When healthy, Diggs is a star and is a massive difference-maker for the defense.

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) intercepts a pass

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) intercepts a pass / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

DaRon Bland followed up his stellar rookie season with an All-Pro year in 2023. Bland has quickly become one of the best young defensive backs in the league. He is the NFL record holder for interceptions returned for a touchdown in a season (5) and has 14 interceptions in his first two seasons. Bland is off to an all-time great start to his career.

Dec 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) stands on the

Dec 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) stands on the / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

There was no doubt that Parsons would be at the top of this ranking. Micah is a generational talent and one of the best defensive players in all of football. Nothing more needs to be said.

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Cowboy Roundup: Oddsmakers favor Dallas in most games, 2024 offensive improvements, & more

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Cowboy Roundup: Oddsmakers favor Dallas in most games, 2024 offensive improvements, & more


The dust has settled from the 2024 NFL schedule release, and now the Dallas Cowboys faithful are going over the team’s week-to-week opponents ad nauseam.

There have been season record predictions for the Cowboys and plenty of analysis while we wait for the start of OTAs and training camp.

In the meantime, there is plenty of other news around the NFL and Cowboys Nation, from early betting odds for the season to roster battles to ridiculous soundbites from the coaches.

While we prepare for the weekend, let’s take a look at some of the Cowboys news making waves on the internet.

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Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys open the 2024 NFL season on the road against the Cleveland Browns in a game that the oddsmakers view as a virtual pick ’em. However, they are favored in a majority of their games throughout the year.

According to DraftKings, the Cowboys are favored in 14 of the team’s 17 games this season.

The Browns are listed as a one-point favorite, the San Francisco 49ers game is not listed, and the road game against the division rival Eagles has Dallas as two-point dogs.

A full breakdown can be seen on The Cowboys Wire.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

There have been a number of questions about the Cowboys offense after the team watched star players leave in free agency and failed to sign any big names of their own.

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However, Dallas has some young talent on its roster that now has experience which should translate to improvements on the field in 2024.

The wide receivers and tight ends are the position groups to watch, with players like Jalen Tolbert, KaVonte Turpin, and rookie Ryan Flournoy should add depth to the receiving corp, while tight ends Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker should continue to blossom. (Blogging the Boys)

Dak Prescott’s passer rating vs. all 2024 opponents… Ranking the best players the Cowboys will face in 2024… Jerry Jones says the ACM Awards are a “perfect fit” for the Cowboys… This will be the most critical stretch of the Cowboys’ 2024 season… NFL Week 1 opening betting lines and totals… The best and worst NFL schedule release videos… Here is the Cowboys’ 2024 preseason schedule.



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