The Mavericks narrowly lost to the Hornets and suffered their first loss: the No. 1 pick scored 11+3+4+3 and had 12 points, three goals and 20+6.

On October 12, the Mavericks played against the Hornets at home in the NBA preseason game. The Mavericks were missing Irving and Gafford. The Mavericks trailed the Hornets by 17 points at the beginning 13-30. The Mavericks continued to counterattack and caught up to only 1 point. The Hornets once again suppressed the Mavericks and regained a 17-point advantage at the beginning of the final quarter. The Mavericks caught up to a single-digit gap in the final stage but were unable to recover. In the end, the Mavericks lost to the Hornets 116-120 and suffered their first defeat of the preseason.

Statistics

Mavericks: In the absence of Irving, the new No. 1 pick Flagg had 11 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 5 turnovers, Big Eyebrows had 12 points and 4 rebounds, Lively had 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, Klay had 4 three-pointers and 14 points, Russell only scored 7 points and 5 assists on 2 of 6, Marshall had 13 points, and Washington had 12 points.

Hornets: Bridges scored 4 three-pointers, 20 points and 11 rebounds, three goals, 4 three-pointers, 20 points and 6 assists, Sexton had 12 points, Miller had 15 points and 5 assists, Kalkbrenner had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Klipper had 12 points.

Game Review

The Mavericks defeated the Thunder 106-89 in the last preseason game. The Hornets were double-killed by the Thunder in the past two preseason games. The Mavericks lacked Irving and Gafford in this game, and the Hornets lacked Guiwei. The two sides started the offensive mode in the first quarter. The Mavericks led 8-5 at the beginning. The Hornets fired consecutive outside three-pointers and launched a 25-5 offensive to lead by 17 points. The Mavericks responded with a 16-0 offensive and caught up to only 1 point. Flagg once assisted Big Eyebrow for a dunk. At the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks trailed the Hornets 31-34. The Hornets made 6 of 11 three-pointers, Bridges scored 13 points and 7 rebounds on 5 of 5, including 3 of 3 three-pointers and 0 of 3 free throws. The Mavericks made 4 of 10 three-pointers. Big Eyebrow had 4 points and Flagg had 2 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

In the second quarter, the offensive firepower of both sides declined slightly. The Mavericks launched a 13-4 offensive to lead by 6 points. The two sides continued to alternate the lead and continued to fight until the Mavericks fell behind by 1 point 54-55. The Hornets scored 4 points in a row, and the Mavericks continued to close the gap. Hardy was once whistled for a first-level flagrant foul. The Mavericks recovered 1 point at 28-27 in a single quarter. At the end of the first half, the Mavericks caught up to 59-61 and were only 2 points behind the Hornets. In the first two quarters of the game, the Mavericks made 6 of 12 three-pointers, and two people on the team scored in double figures. Flagg had 11+3+4+3 and Klay made 3 of 3 three-pointers to reach 11 points. Brother Big Eyebrow only scored 6 points on 3 of 8 three-pointers. The Hornets made 9 of 26 three-pointers. Three people on the team scored in double figures. Bridges 18+10, Sexton 10 points and three goals, 13 points and 6 assists.

Back from the halftime break, the Hornets scored 30+ points in a single quarter for the second time in this game. The Mavericks gradually opened up a 12-point gap behind the Hornets 63-75. The Lone Ranger caught up to 76-83 behind, and Brother Big Eyebrow was once whistled for a first-level flagrant foul. The Hornets once again opened up a 12-point lead. The Mavericks blossomed inside and outside to catch up to 86-90 by only 4 points. The Hornets once again expanded their lead. The Mavericks lost 29-34 in a single quarter by 5 points. At the end of the third quarter, the Mavericks trailed the Hornets 88-95. In the first three quarters of the game, the Mavericks made 9-13 three-pointers and lost 4 three-pointers. Klay scored 14 points and Big Eyebrows 12 points, leading the Mavericks to score in double figures. Bridges scored 20+11 and three goals to 20+6, leading the Hornets' starting five to score in double figures.

In the final quarter of the game, the Mavericks were suppressed 93-109 and trailed the Hornets by 16 points. The Mavericks chased for 4 points in a row, and the Hornets scored 5 points in a row to expand their 17-point advantage. The Mavericks rushed inside to catch up to 11 points. The Hornets then expanded their lead to 12 points. The Mavericks launched a 7-1 offensive to catch up to 6 points. Simpson's shot maintained an 8-point advantage, and the Mavericks continued to chase points and were unable to recover. In the end, the Mavericks lost to the Hornets and suffered their first defeat of the preseason.

Starting lineup for both sides

Mavericks: Flagg, Big Eyebrow, Lively, Clay, Russell

Hornets: Sexton, Bridges, Kalkbrenner, Miller, three goals

(Text/Drunk Wo Fusheng)