KSMG Sports
By Dwain Pricedprice@star-telegram.com
DALLAS — If Dominique Jones becomes a permanent fixture in the Dallas Mavericks’ rotation this season, he can thank his performance in the two preseason games against Oklahoma City for making that happen.
In Sunday’s opener against the Thunder, Jones contributed a team-high tying 17 points, a game-high seven assists and a team-high tying three steals. He also was 4 of 9 from the field while playing 28 minutes off the bench.
In Tuesday’s preseason finale against the Thunder, Jones was in the starting backcourt alongside Jason Kidd and wound up playing 27 minutes. And although Jones finished with just seven points (1 of 6 field goals), four assists, four rebounds and five turnovers, coach Rick Carlisle was relatively pleased with what he saw from the second-year guard from South Florida.
“I liked the beginning of the game,” Carlisle said. “He had a great game (Sunday), so I guarantee you they watched three or four minutes of film on him and [Roddy] Beaubois.
“This is the reality of the NBA. If you have a good game, two nights later they’re into your stuff and they’re making it hard on you.”
And it was hard on Jones on Tuesday as the Thunder paid extra attention to his whereabouts.
“I think it was all right,” Jones said of his performance. “I made some mistakes out there, but it’s good just getting a feel for everything.”Especially when you haven’t played in an NBA game in a whole year.”
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