3 notes before Dallas takes on the Magic

The NBA slows for no team, and Dallas continues to struggle with injuries as they get set to continue their extended road trip, this time with a game against the Orlando Magic.

Cooper Flagg and Marvin Bagley have been rules out, while Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, and Brandon Williams are all game-time decisions. It’s bad enough being without Flagg and Bagley, who has shown promise in the early returns of his Maverick tenure, but that’s a lot of scoring production from three guys who will be up in the air until game time. Get ready to learn AJ Johnson, Mavs fans.

What’s old is new

Dallas started this season looking like a team stuck in the mud, scoring the fewest points per game in the league through October, managing just 107.8. They’d gotten that number up to 114.2 at the start of February, which, while not setting the league on fire, wasn’t dead last.

However, in the eight games Flagg (and others) has been out, the Dallas offense is back to its old ways. They’re putting up 108.9 per game, 25th in the league over that span; 25th in the league. It hasn’t helped that even the guys who have been healthy are experiencing a slump. Max Christie is shooting the three ball at below .300 after starting the season making nearly half his shots from deep. Missing so many other players who would open up good looks for him has obviously played a role, but even his good looks have ended up as bad misses lately.

If the Mavs really are going to be without Flagg et al, hopefully Christie, or someone else who may or may not be named John Poulakidas, can get it going from three. It might not be enough to get a win, but it’s always fun to watch a Dallas player on a heater.

Magic’s big two

Dallas’ defense had its work cut out for it against the explosive Hornets. Charlotte had seven players attempt five or more three-point shots in the process of going 20-51 from behind the arc as a team. It’s some solace then that, in Orlando, the defensive concerns largely hinge around two players — Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane. Those two, over the Magic’s last 10 games, are the only ones averaging more than 15 points for Orlando, putting up 24 and 26, respectively. Banchero specifically is coming off a 37-point performance on Tuesday against Washington.

If Dallas’ defenders can slow those two, they may stand a chance to keep the game close. With Franz Wagner out, Orlando doesn’t have quite the amount of scoring depth that Charlotte had. Guys can get hot, but if Dallas doesn’t let Paolo beat them, they at least make Orlando earn it. It’s a shame Flagg isn’t quite ready to be back on the floor, because the Flagg/Paolo matchup, two of the league’s most promising young wings, will be a fun one to watch as both players round into All-Stars.

The thrill of the free throw

With as bad as Dallas’ offense has been, there’s one spot where the Mavs are thriving without Flagg — at the free-throw line.

In his eight-game absence, Dallas is drawing 22.6 personal fouls per game, the third-highest mark in the league, and is attempting a league-leading 29.1 free throws per contest. When Charlotte’s three-point onslaught began during Dallas’ game on Tuesday, the huge discrepancy in free throws kept the game nearly level until the third quarter.

It’s not the most thrilling style of basketball, but it’s impressive that Jason Kidd has found something that his players can control, and it’s putting their head down and trying to get to the basket. A good strategy when the team is missing as much shooting talent as it is, currently.

How to watch/listen

You can watch the game at 6:00 pm on KFAA Channel 29 or MAVS TV (streaming), or listen at 97.1FM KEGL (English), and 99.1FM KFZO (Spanish).