Max Christie is making a strong first impression with the Dallas Mavericks, who host the Miami Heat on Thursday in the final game before the All-Star break for both teams.
Christie was considered a throw-in by many when the Mavericks traded star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package highlighted by center Anthony Davis. Five games in, however, Christie is proving to be a valuable asset.
The third-year guard is averaging 17 points on 50.9 percent shooting since arriving in Dallas, which has won three of its past four games.
Christie made his first start for the injury-plagued Mavericks on Wednesday and had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists in Dallas’ 111-107 win over the visiting Golden State Warriors.
Christie made two free throws with 10.4 seconds left to seal the victory. He credits coach Jason Kidd for helping make him feel comfortable with his new team.
“Having a coach that’ll trust you like that is super important,” Christie said. “Coach Kidd is willing and trusting me enough to put me in those situations, so it means a lot to me as a player and something I want to continue to improve on.”
Christie has fit in well next to star point guard Kyrie Irving, who made a season-high seven 3-pointers and scored 42 points against Golden State.
“He’s obviously a phenomenal player,” Christie said, “but the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet with his hustle and leadership for us as a team is super important, and I’ve noticed it from day one.”
The Mavericks faced the Warriors without Davis (left adductor strain), Daniel Gafford (right knee sprain), P.J. Washington (right ankle sprain) and Dante Exum (left Achilles tightness). Dallas had only one player taller than 6-foot-8 available.
The four injured players are expected to be out again when the Mavericks face Miami, which fell to the Thunder 115-101 in Oklahoma City on Wednesday for its third straight loss.
Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 27 points and 15 rebounds, while Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell each added 14 points. Miami was in control for most of the game until Oklahoma City opened the fourth quarter on a 24-0 run.
“Right now, I’m going with what I saw in the first three quarters,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We’ve made some progress in the last 24 hours from our session (Tuesday) night and in the shootaround. And then we weren’t able to sustain.
“I see a lot of positives that we can build on. It’s not about moral victories. But right now, we’re trying to build this thing fast.”
Miami’s Duncan Robinson and Terry Rozier missed the Wednesday game due to a stomach illness that has hit the team this week.
The Heat used their 13th different starting lineup on Wednesday, but Spoelstra indicated that new acquisition Mitchell could become a mainstay alongside Herro in the backcourt.
“We like the potential and the possibilities,” Spoelstra said. “I think we all just want to see it. Davion brings that bulldog mentality. He wants to get the ball to other guys. I think they complement each other.”
