The Mavericks Play On in the Play-In Round

Three Thoughts on a Remarkable Dallas Performance in Sacramento as Kings implode

This is all so odd.

But, at the same time—at least for now—the games go on.

And last night’s game was quite unexpected from this seat. I fully expected this to be a final summary of a sad decline. There may still be time for that as early as 48 hours from now, but let us acknowledge and even appreciate the stubborn fight that the Dallas Mavericks showcased on Wednesday night in Sacramento.

The Mavericks beat a Kings team that looked pretty happy to be done with their season last night by an easy 120–106 decision. Dallas spends today flying to Memphis to attempt to shock the basketball world and advance to the playoffs if they win that game, too. But now, they have a chance.

These are My Mavericks Three Thoughts:

• For Klay Thompson and Anthony Davis, it was a night to step forward and be counted and boy, did they ever. Combining for 50 points and a number of massive sequences throughout the game, we certainly can not suggest the veterans of NBA Playoffs and title runs looked at all out of place in this situation.

If we may lay our own personal baggage down for a moment, I think it is really an interesting exercise to try to imagine this season through the perspective of these two players – if not every other person in a Mavericks uniform.