The Dallas Mavericks outlasted the Orlando Magic in a slogfest Thursday night, winning 101-92. Jaden Hardy led the Mavericks with 22 points. Paulo Banchero was the only Orlando player capable of hitting a shot, scoring 35 for the Magic.

The opening period of this game was an affront to basketball, an offensive offense so to speak. Somehow the game was tied at 6-6 after six full minutes of play. Banchero got into early foul trouble, but the Mavericks were not able to take advantage. Kai Jones exited the game with what would be considered a hip contusion following a hard fall after a dunk. The scoring normalized some later in the period with Dallas closing out the quarter ahead 19-17.

Scoring picked up for the Magic in the second quarter, with the Magic taking advantage of multiple defensive lapses for the Mavericks. Banchero led the scoring effort, getting to the rim and the line repeatedly, including three to close the half after a bad Max Christie foul. Dallas also couldn’t find a regular scoring touch and as a result, Orlando pulled ahead by halftime, leading 50-43.

Dallas finally found some offense in the second half, starting off the third by quickly tyingthe game at 50 just two minutes in. The Magic would regain some sense and fight Dallas off, but after building a decent lead, they surrendered a 20-2 run to finish the quarter. Jaden Hardy in particular came alive, hitting three threes during the run. Dallas entered the fourth up 77-70.

The Orlando offense looked dead in the fourth, and Dallas grew the lead to 12 points following a timeout midway through the frame. The Magic finally found a little something with Banchero back in the game, but Hardy’s fifth three of the second half essentially put the game out of reach. Dallas held off Orlando to win their 36th game of the season.

Threes!

It’s an NCAA basketball tonight and usually the the shooting there is abhorrent. However, Alabama set the tournament record with 24 makes (and counting, the game is still on as I’m writing this). Do you know who didn’t set a record tonight? The bricklaying Magic, who shot 5 of 30 from distance. Dallas shot 11 of 23. The six makes totaled an 18-point difference, which is pretty helpful! In an ugly game, the made shots from Dallas pulled them past the finish line.

Hardy Heroics

The Dallas guard has not had a kind post-All-Star break, to be generous. But he showed up in limited minutes for the Mavericks, scoring 22 in just 20 minutes, including all five of his three-point attempts. I’ve always said his unwavering confidence is his biggest pitfall but it can also be his biggest asset. He’s always ready to play and that’s something to be admired.

Anthony Davis is a long way from looking right

I’m not clear what the point of playing a clearly hampered Davis is. He was 4 of 14 from two point range and looked unwilling to attack following an early drive to the basket (where he missed the shot and then missed the free throws). There’s nothing wrong with not being able to play, it’s a contact sport. But if he’s going to look like that, one has to question why he’s out there. He didn’t move well against the Nets either, so it’s worth watching really closely.