Getty Images | Vaughn Ridley
Head Coach Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre on December 22, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Despite 20 points from Dirk Nowitzki, to fall within 10 points from tying Shaquille O’Neal for 6th All-Time on the NBA’s Scoring List, the Dallas Mavericks (15-13) fell 103-99 to the Toronto Raptors (18-12) in their first game of a road back-to-back at Air Canada Centre.
The Raptors jumped out to an early 32-14 lead in the first quarter and the Mavs spent the majority of the game attempting to crawl out of the early hole they put themselves in. It was another tough game for Chandler Parsons, who continues to play inconsistently, finishing the game with just 6 points on 3-8 shooting and a team-low minus-14 efficiency rating in 25 minutes played.
Following the game, Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle publicly blasted his frustrations regarding the team’s lack of drive and effort.
“Do I look happy? I mean would you be happy?” Carlisle lamented. “Look, it was a 24 minute, take you to the beach, kick your butt, kick sand in your face type deal. And then hey, we come in at halftime and we’re finally pissed. I get on their case and we decide to bust our ass in the third quarter and we played a hell of a third quarter. But look, if it’s going to be like that, you know, these guys aren’t going to be Mavericks for very long.”
The Mavs were completely destroyed on the boards, as they were outrebounded by a 53-34 advantage, their largest deficit of the season. Despite a solid game from Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews, who finished with 15 points to along with a strong performance by Dirk, the Mavs just couldn’t overcome the Raptors’ athleticism.
After a 15-2 Toronto Raptors’ run early in the fourth quarter, Carlisle quickly turned to his reserves. Despite a surprise late push led by Mavs forward Charlie Villanueva, who scored all nine of his points in the fourth quarter, it wasn’t enough as the Mavs fell for the second straight time this season to the Raptors.
Up Next:
Brooklyn Nets (8-20) at 6:30 p.m. CST on Fox Sports Southwest.
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