By Bilal Ahmed
The Dallas Mavericks achieved a 96-88 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in their third NBA Summer League game. The game, held at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Arena, saw the Summer Mavericks improve their record to 1-2, while the Summer Grizzlies now stand at 1-1.
Early in the game, the Mavericks faced challenges from Cam Boozer and the Grizzlies. Boozer, an NBA legacy and the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft, led the Grizzlies with 21 points and eight rebounds. Former Maverick Olivier-Maxence Prosper also contributed 18 points for Memphis.
Key Player Performances
Mavericks rookie guard Sergio de Larrea played a significant role in Dallas’s comeback. He recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 assists. De Larrea’s playmaking was evident throughout the game, and he found his shooting touch late in the contest. He dished out 12 assists against the Grizzlies with only three turnovers, a notable improvement from his previous game against the Lakers where he had four turnovers and four assists.
Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, a former Memphis Tiger, was inserted into the game by Mavericks coach Joe Boylan after Boozer’s early scoring run. Akobundu-Ehiogu immediately sparked a Mavericks run, scoring his first three buckets on fast breaks. He also blocked a driving attempt by Cedric Coward when the game was tied at 10-10. His ability to finish in transition contributed to a 20-4 run for Dallas, which ended the first quarter with a 24-19 lead. Akobundu-Ehiogu finished the game with 16 points and four rebounds, including four alley-oop finishes.
Jaden Springer and Darin Green Jr. were efficient from beyond the arc in the first half. Green Jr. connected on his first four shots, including his first three 3-pointers, helping the Mavericks take a 43-31 lead in the second quarter. Springer, a Tennessee product, hit his first two long-range shots in the first half. Green Jr. continued his strong shooting into the second half, hitting another 3-pointer after a steal, which gave the Mavericks a 58-55 advantage in the third quarter. He led the Mavericks with 18 points and five rebounds in the win.
Team Strategy and Absences
The Mavericks’ strategy to contain Boozer involved their second-round pick, Vsevolod Ishchenko (Seva), who started the game guarding the Grizzlies’ big man. Despite Boozer’s strength, Coach Boylan’s help-and-recover defensive scheme proved effective in negating his impact. Boozer, who was the No. 3 overall pick, was described as a definitive best post player available in his draft class and had averaged 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists in four previous Summer League games in Salt Lake City.
The Mavericks played without two key players due to injury and illness. No. 9 pick Morez Johnson Jr. missed the game with calf soreness, and Ryan Nembhard was out due to an illness. Johnson Jr., an athletic forward from Michigan, had been a defensive stalwart in his first two Summer League contests, averaging 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, along with six total blocks and five steals. His absence meant the Mavericks lacked an anchor in the paint to help contain Boozer.
Despite these absences, the Mavericks secured a significant win in their Summer League campaign, with several players stepping up to contribute to the 96-88 final score.
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Source: mavsmoneyball.com
