5 Telling Stats From Mavs-Rockets Series
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) -- The opening round of the NBA Playoffs has not been kind to the Dallas Mavericks.
Dallas trails 2-0, having lost both games by at least 10 points. The team's starting point guard was benched. And Chandler Parsons is likely out for the series.
Here are five stats that tell the story of the Mavs-Rockets series thus far.
14
In each game, Dirk Nowitzki has taken just 14 shots from the floor. With Monta Ellis struggling and Chandler Parsons absent from the lineup in Game 2, there's simply no excuse for this.
Sure, the big German struggled in Game 2, but he's still your best offensive player. If you're going to lose to Houston, go down shooting -- and with Dirk.
30
James Harden has taken 30 free throws in this series alone, including 17 in Game 1. All together, Houston has attempted 35 more free throws than Dallas (80-45).
The MVP candidate is shooting a paltry 32 percent from the floor this series (as he usually does in playoffs), but his impact has nonetheless been felt.
Will the free throw disparity shift as the series moves to Dallas? If the Mavs are to win, it must.
34
Dwight Howard had five blocks on Saturday night in the series opener, an indication that the ailing big man is nearing his former self.
With Howard on the floor, the Rockets are +34 for the series (That includes only 17 minutes in the opener). Conversely, the Mavs are -43 with Tyson Chandler on the court.
Dallas has a good big man in Chandler. Howard is playing great.
10
Rajon Rondo played just 10 minutes on Tuesday, an indication that head coach Rick Carlisle has seemingly given up on his starting point guard. Raymond Felton (18) and JJ Barea (34), both backups this season, each saw significantly more playing time than Rondo.
The 4-time All Star managed to collect four fouls and an 8-second violation on Tuesday.
It's unclear how Carlisle will play Rondo moving forward -- that is, if he plays him at all. Devin Harris' potential return from injury could be a factor.
6
Exiled Pistons forward Josh Smith has found a home in Houston alongside Dwight Howard. On Tuesday night, the forward connected with Howard on SIX alley-oop passes, three during a critical stretch in the fourth quarter.
Dallas' defense simply can't stop dribble penetration. And with the athleticism of Smith and a high flyer like Howard, that's a recipe for disaster.
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