The Dallas Mavericks took on the Miami Heat for the second time in about as many weeks. Looking to extend their first win streak of the season, the Mavericks did exactly that with a 118-108 win.

Let’s get to the grades!

15 PTS / 5 REB / 13 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 34 MIN

This game was not the career night he had the other day, but what this guy is doing is majorly impressive. Nembhard had a double-double before the third quarter buzzer sounded and once again played a terrific overall game, shooting 6-for-10 including a perfect 3-for-3 from deep, while dropping dimes with another ridiculous assist-to-turnover ratio (13:1). He is the first rookie in NBA history with a slash line of 43 points, 23 assists and one turnover over a two-game span.

10 PTS / 2 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 32 MIN

Christie was quietly effective on 3-for-6 shooting (2-for-4 from deep) and hit both of his free throws. His game doesn’t jump off the page, but he was solid overall and contributed to the win on both sides of the ball, garnering a team-best plus/minus of 18.

22 PTS / 6 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 31 MIN

Flagg got off to a red hot start, finishing 9-for-13, but somehow committed three fouls in his first 12 minutes of action. He didn’t commit another foul for the remainder of the game. His only other blemish was three turnovers. A turnaround jumper from the stripe, followed by a block, followed by a layup with under two minutes remaining in the game, basically sealed the deal. Flagg is very impressive and has shown tremendous growth, proving again he can be a go-to player for the Mavs.

18 PTS / 5 REB / 4 AST / 2 STL / 1 BLK – 36 MIN

Marshall had a real nice game, with excellent shooting (8-for-12) boosting his grade. He led the team in minutes played and did a lot of intangibles. He calmly drained an important three late in the fourth quarter.

17 PTS / 17 REB / 4 AST / 1 STL / 3 BLK – 28 MIN

Davis had a solid double-double and really cleaned the glass, but he shot inefficiently overall. Worse still, he got roasted by Kel’el Ware, who would love nothing more than to play the Mavs 82 games per year. Four turnovers did not help the cause. Credit for a big rejection against Ware in the closing minutes, and acknowledgment for the injured finger that likely affected the shooting efficiency, and credit for a couple of big shots when they mattered.

10 PTS / 3 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 15 MIN

Russell found his shot (4-for-7 and 2-for-4 from deep) and put together a solid game, highlighted by canning two consecutive shots from deep (one of the circus variety) to bolster a Mavs’ lead that had dwindled a bit at the time. Those shots really can’t be understated. Playing alongside another ball-handling guard seems to be helping Russell and it’s nice to see him willing to play that role.

17 PTS / 3 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 26 MIN

Thompson coming off the bench appears to be working. Since moving to the second unit, Thompson has produced at a level similar to what we saw last year when he started full-time. He came ready to shoot (five attempts in his first five minutes) and his aim was true from deep, though his shots from inside the arc were less effective (6-for-17 overall, 5-for-12 from three). He gave the team a nice boost and helped them grab the lead in the second quarter.

2 PTS / 5 REB / 0 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 14 MIN

Gafford came off the bench as he is still nursing a right ankle injury. In a disappointing turn of events, he re-injured that same ankle late in the third quarter and went to the locker room.

Despite Daniel Gafford being available, the Mavericks somewhat surprisingly started Anthony Davis at center, thus giving them one of the more conventional starting lineups they’ve featured all season. Trailing in the opening minutes, the Mavs chipped away to take the lead, then blew things open for a bit. At one point they were up by 17 points and it dawned on me that we’ve not seen that much this season.

Dallas is now on a three game winning streak and looking like a solid team, as Nembhard has gotten minutes, Davis has returned from injury and Flagg has developed rapidly.

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