DALLAS — Dennis Smith Jr. showed the Dallas Mavericks exactly what they’ve been missing lately.
Back on the active roster after missing six games with tightness in the middle of his back and an illness — not to mention trade talk that some say hurt his feelings — Smith used his explosive speed and quickness Tuesday night to help the Mavs to a 106-98 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers. The win snapped the Mavs’ four-game losing skid and improved their record to 21-26.
Smith received the loudest ovation from Mavs’ fans during pregame introductions, then went out and dazzled while showing the American Airlines Center sellout crowd of 19,466 exactly what he brings to the table. Smith kept pushing the pace, and the backpeddaling Clippers couldn’t keep up as the second-year point guard finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
“I thought it was great, really tremendous and everything we needed,” Carlisle said of Smith’s eye-popping performance. “Speed, attacking, shot-making, a couple of amazing assists.
“He played, really, one of the best games since he’s been here. There was a tad of rustiness, but I tell you what, he shook it off fast and he just played a brilliant game.”
Smith’s alley-oop pass – for a dunk – to DeAndre Jordan brought down the house and pushed the Mavs ahead 99-93. A jump shot by Luka Doncic and a 3-pointer by Harrison Barnes padded the Mavs’ cushion to 104-95 with 52.7 seconds remaining in the game.
Meanwhile, Smith was delighted to be back in his element, back where he feels the most comfortable.
“I’ve been playing basketball for a long time, so any time that I’m not able to play is not pleasant,” Smith said. “We got a win and that’s the important thing.
“I’m happy to be back. This is what I love to do, I’ve been doing it for a very long time. Like I said, any time I’m not able to play, it’s not fun.”
Now 1-7 on the second leg of a back-to-back, the Mavs sure had plenty of fun against the Clippers (25-22). They got their offense clicking in a higher gear thanks to Smith, and they were able to open this three-game home stand on a winning note against one of the Western Conference’s more resourceful teams.
“To end the losing streak and the record of losing [on the tail end of] a back-to-back, I think that’s major for us,” Smith said. “It was a real team effort all around tonight.
“The ball was moving, everybody competed defensively, we rotated for one another. If we keep these habits moving forward we’ll pick it up.”
In addition to Smith, Harrison Barnes rebounded from Monday’s eight-point outing at Milwaukee to tally a game-high 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Barnes also held Tobias Harris – the Clippers’ leading scorer at 21 points per game – to just nine points on 1-of-9 shooting.
“He got a lot done without a lot of touches,” Carlisle said of Barnes. “He was very efficient with the ball.
“He battled Tobias Harris again, and that’s been a great matchup over the years. But Harrison was terrific.”
Jordan also was terrific as he collected 13 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks against his former team. And Devin Harris came off the bench to supply 13 points in only 17 minutes.
As for Doncic, he finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists as he and Smith frequently alternated between running the offense.
Afterward, the rookie from Slovenia paid homage to Smith.
“He’s a great player,” Doncic said of Smith. “He can help us in a lot of ways, so we need him.”
