Looking at a box score is something anyone can do. Who lead my team in scoring? How'd we shoot from the field? And while that knowledge is useful, does it really earn you bonus points around the water cooler?
That's why I'm here. I'm bringing you the S.W.I.M: Statistics Worth Increased Media. Let Joe from accounting regurgitate what he heard on the way in this morning; you're better than that. Use these nuggets to gain a unique perspective about last night's Mavericks/Pacers game.
In the last month, the Mavericks are 5-0 (including 2-0 against the Pacers) when Dirk Nowitzki records at least two thefts. They are a mere 3-5 when he doesn't.
This was Nowitzki's third 3/14 performance from the field in 2014.
Bookended by games against Indiana, Dallas is 7-0 when Shawn Marion does not make a three pointer and 0-4 when he does over their last 11 games.
For the eighth straight game, Samuel Dalembert recorded either greater than seven rebounds or fewer than two.
Jose Calderon handed out seven assists while committing only one turnover, the tenth game this season in which he has at least a 7.0 assist-to-turnover ratio (Dallas has won eight of those games).
For the first time in over a year, Devin Harris made at least four three pointers and scored at least 30 points during a two game stretch.
Monta Ellis has totaled 16 rebounds in his last two games, a number he hadn't reached since November of 2009 (a streak that also featured a game against Indiana).
The Pacers attempt the sixth fewest field goals per game, yet the Mavericks held them to 14 fewer shots under their average.
Indiana has lost all three games in the last month when David West turns the ball over at least three times, 0-2 vs Dallas.
Speaking of West, he was one of five Pacers to register an assist and the only one to exceed his season average in dimes.
For the first time in 12 games this season, the Pacers lost a game in which Paul George shot at least 55% from the field.
Lance Stephenson committed six turnovers and four personal fouls, one fewer TO+PF than he recorded in the previous three games combined.
The Pacers starters outscored the Mavericks starters by 26 points ⦠and lost.
