Random observations of the first loss of the season

 
A few thoughts from the Mavericks’ 91-90 loss to
Memphis Friday night.
 
**One thing the Grizzlies do as well as any team in the
league is rebound the ball on the offensive end. That’s a good thing
because they don’t shoot it very well. But they had 11 offensive boards
in the first half Friday and that was a key reason they were still in the game.
And they got an offensive board by Marc Gasol with 6.7 left that set up his
free throw that was the difference.
 
**Caron Butler came to life offensively early in the second
half with nine quick points to keep the Mavericks’ lead up at 61-53. He
was a willing and capable sidekick to Dirk Nowitzki on this night. But it
wasn’t enough.
 
**Dirk Nowitzki has turned into a crummy free-throw shooter.
After making 82 in a row going back to last season, he missed two of four late
in the first half. What a bum.
 
**The final plays were a complete disaster in terms of execution.
First Jason Terry had a pass to Dirk Nowitzki gobbled up by Rudy Gay, who lost
it but ate up valuable seconds on the clock. Then Jason Kidd misfired on the
final inbounds pass that was intercepted by O.J. Mayo.
 
**That was the Mavericks’ 20th turnover.
That’s an absolute embarrassment after turnovers were the key issue
addressed in practice Thursday.