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/Spurs game.
The Mavericks scored at least 102 points in each of the last four games that Dirk Nowitzki (minimum one attempt) failed to make a three-pointer.
Nowitzki made three treys against these very Spurs on March 14th last season, the same number of threes he has made in the other six games against San Antonio over the past two seasons.
For the first time in over a calendar year, Jose Calderon did not make a triple (minimum one attempt) and committed multiple turnovers in the same game.
Speaking of Calderon, the Mavs have lost just four games since Christmas when he records multiple steals ⦠three have come against San Antonio.
Samuel Dalembart grabbed ten rebounds, his fourth double digit rebound effort in his last five games. It took the veteran 55 games to record his fourth such game of the season.
Over the last 19 days, Dallas is 4-0 when Wayne Ellington scores at least five points (minimum of one minute played) and 0-4 when he doesn't.
The Spurs averaged 21.96% more points per shot than the Mavs in this game.
Manu Ginobili made nine free throws, that's one more than he made in his previous three games with 15-plus points combined.
The Spurs have won seven straight games in which Tim Duncan has played at least 30 minutes. This on the heels of ending January with four consecutive losses when the legend was on the court for that extended amount of time.
That's nothing compared to win streak San Antonio extended to 11 when Kawhi Leonard eclipsed 30 minutes and made a three pointer against Dallas.
In two games following a multiple game absences this season, Tony Parker has handed out 15 assists and committed only one turnover.
Want to know where this game was decided? The Mavericks typically make 17 free throws while the Spurs convert 15.6 freebies per night. On this night, however, San Antonio outscored Dallas by 15 from the line.
Boris Diaw only has two double doubles as a member of the Spurs, but both have come against teams from Texas.
The Spurs have won five of their last six games, but have not had the game's leading scorer once.
