Anthony Davis’s debut with the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday afternoon had a brilliant start, but the victory of the 116-105 team over the Houston’s rocks was cushioned by the injury in the lower part of the body of the big man, which He forced him to get to the early evening. The third quarter. This was Davis’s first game after getting lost the previous five with an abdominal tension.
After Saturday’s victory, Davis explained what happened in the play that made him lose the fourth quarter, and seemed to be in a good mood for not being outdrence for too long in the future.
“My leg squeezed, like a small spasm, returned and tried to release it, obviously dealing with him [abdominal] Tiga comments, so I was just trying to release it “, Davis said. “I wouldn’t loosen up or let go, but it’s nothing serious. I’m fine.”
Davis was in the entire court in the first minutes, since he established the tone with a game inspired by both ends. Only 16 seconds from the game, he found his new fieldmate, Daniel Gafford, for a alley. A few minutes later, he scored his first cube for the Mavericks in a brief change, which began a 9-0 personal race.
In total, Davis finished the first half with 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 9 of 13 from the field to take the Mavericks to a two -digit advantage. He is the first player with at least 24 points, 12 rebounds and three blockages in the middle in the game era per game.
Davis also joins Charles Barkley (1992 with Suns) as the only player in the last 40 seasons with more than 25 points, more than 15 rebounds and more than 5 assists in his first game with a new team.
The fun reached an unfortunate end with just over two minutes to play in the third quarter. Davis was playing falling coverage in the pick-And-vol groin.
The Mavericks soon took a foul to get Davis out of the game and did not return. It ended with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blockages in 30 minutes.
Davis said it was specifically the groin and the quadruple area that injured during the game. But given their comments, it does not seem so significant where Mavericks should worry about a piece of time.
That is a great sigh of relief for Dallas, who also lost Pj Washington on Saturday afternoon before a right ankle sprain, and has no right -wing II (fractured ankle), Dwight Powell (hip tension) and Caleb Martin Martin newly acquired (hip tension). The Mavericks will need Davis to be healthy and as dominant as it was in the first half during the rest of the season to have the opportunity to ensure a playoff place, either through the play or get a seed among the top six.
Dallas bet a lot about his present and future future in Davis after squeezing the trigger for one of the most impressive exchanges in NBA History, where Davis was changed to the Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic. The successful disorder, which will be discussed in the coming years, has put Davis in a strange place. It is 10 times All-Star and one of the best big men in the League, but will always represent the franchise player and the favorite of fans who lost the Mavericks.
Anthony Davis de Mavs says that “the city’s life” will return to “Luka Doncic’s impressive trade to the Lakers
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While the anger of fans is aimed at the main office, Davis will still feel that he has to demonstrate his worth to Dallas.
“I understand it, and obviously it is a business and I get who Luka was for this franchise, for this city. I will never minimize that,” Davis said during his introductory press conference. “Just how I know what I meant for the city of Los Angeles, so I am not surprising the reaction of the fans and the reaction of the city. But it is my job to enter, play basketball and do what is supposed to do, And give fans hope and tranquility about why [Mavericks general manager] Nico [Harrison] brought me here. “
With the victory over the rockets, the Mavericks improved to 28-25, which has them in eighth at the West Conference. There are only 1.5 games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for sixth place and an automatic playoff place.
