When the Dallas Mavericks play, it is guaranteed to be a close game, regardless of the hectic travel conditions the Mavericks faced.

While tanking is the preffered strategy going forward, the Mavericks will still win games against the truly bad teams, such as the Nets. Unless they decide to fully commit to resting and benching players, I doubt they will be able to catch the best tankers in the league.

But enough talk about why winning is bad, it’s time for the grades.

22 PTS / 5 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK -20 MIN

“Marvelous” Marvin Bagley is playing himself into an extension this offseason, and it won’t be cheap. Bagley has been incredibly good since getting traded to Mavericks, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

While his first few games were headlined by his rebounding, this gamed displayed his underrated touch. A constant diet of floaters and hooks helped to provide a new element to this Mavericks offense, as Daniel Gafford nor Dwight Powell have short range shot-making in their bags.\

Khris Middleton: Incomplete

6 PTS / 5 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK -12 MIN

There isn’t much to say about this game from Khris Middleton, as he left the game early in the second quarter with an apparent shoulder injury.

21 PTS / 5 REB / 7 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK -36 MIN

With Cooper Flagg continuing to nurse his midfoot sprain, Naji Marshall will stay as the Mavericks proverbial number 1 option.

This game was a perfect encapsulation of Marshall’s game, as he had an efficient 21 point game, all while taking zero threes.

While there are still long term concerns with his game, it’s still incredible to watch him make every floater.

13 PTS / 4 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK -30 MIN

For what feels like the first time in forever, P.J. Washington had an efficient offensive game. Washington’s season has been headlined by turnovers, and too much offensive burden.

But this game was a return to form for him, and he stuck to his role offensively, and made multiple splash plays defensively.

9 PTS / 4 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK -17 MIN

It’s hard to watch Daniel Gafford’s minutes when compared to Marvin Bagley. The difference is mobility and touch is drastic, making Gafford’s minutes feel lethargic.

This recent development has made Gafford wholly expendable in my opinion, as a Dereck Lively and Bagley front-court provides much more versatility than a Lively and Gafford rotation.

13 PTS / 7 REB / 0 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK -29 MIN

While Max Christie didn’t have a great shooting game, larger frustration is him only attempting 5 threes.

Christie is one of the few players on the team that is actually willing to shoot at will, and often he can get hot from behind-the-arc. It is better for the team if Christie shoots, and misses 10 threes, rather than only shooting 5.

19 PTS / 1 REB / 10 AST / 0 STL / 2 BLK -29 MIN

When the games are meaningless, there is no better player than Brandon Williams. Not only was his scoring on point, as he shot 9-11 from the field, but he also dished out 10 dimes.

While the scoring output isn’t unusual, the playmaking effort stands out, as one of the big criticisms of Williams’ game is his lack of true playmaking ability.

17 PTS / 2 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK -23 MIN

There is nothing prettier in the whole NBA than a Klay Thompson jump shot. Thompson was feeling it tonight, as he made 5 threes, including a burst of 3 threes in the second quarter.

While it may seem inevitable that Klay will be traded this offseason, it may make more sense to bring him back, as he is the only Maverick that isn’t scared to shoot 10 threes every night.