Max Christie reveals what Dallas needs to do to reach the ‘next level’

Hot on the heels of Dallas Mavericks 118-115 win against the New Orleans Pelicansguard Max Christie revealed what his team needs to do to keep the win going. The Mavericks are 5-12. Friday’s win was Dallas’ second in four tries. Cooper Flagg’s career-best 29 points led three Mavs players with 23+ points, including Christie, who hit five 3-pointers, and PJ Washington (24 points), against the Pelicans.

After the win, Christie talked about the Mavericks an approach that led to victoryand what could take them to the next level, according to ClutchPoints’ Joey Mistretta.

“It’s been great. We’ve got so many guys that can come into the game and draw multiple defenders. … The next level for us is finding those shooters. Everybody’s doing a good job of that, we’re getting it on film,” Christie said. “We’re talking about that and how we want to continue to shoot 3s. . . . Shot 43 tonight, that’s a decent amount. That’s our goal. We have so many guys coming into the game and so many opportunities to make those shots.”

The Mavericks finished 16-for-43 from deep, and Max Christie, Washington and Jaden Hardy, who combined on threes, led the way with 13 of the Mavericks’ 16 3-pointers. Dallas improved to 1-2 in NBA Cup West Group B.

Jason Kidd celebrates Cooper Flagg’s composure in Mavericks win

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd tied Cooper Flagg’s career high with 29 points. This year’s first overall pick joined LeBron James as the last 18-year-olds to finish with at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in a single game. Flagg will try to take the Mavericks to the next level.

Kidd wasn’t surprised to see Flagg find his offensive rhythm early and often in Friday’s three-point win against the Pelicans.

“We’ve seen this before. We were able to take advantage of that last game, but understanding his poise and understanding how to get into a spot offensively, or how to use a teammate or find a teammate … I thought he was coming back from an illness, he attacked early,” Kidd said. “And then he started to settle down. At half-time we talked a little bit about what I thought he should do. He responded… For an 18-year-old to understand what was being asked of him, he did it at a high level.”

Flagg went 12 of 19 from the floor in Friday’s win.