Dallas Mavericks News, Rumors: Monta Ellis, Dirk Nowitzki, Raymond Felton

Dallas Mavericks News, Rumors: Monta Ellis, Dirk Nowitzki, Raymond Felton
Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis (11) attempts a shot as Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins (15), Ben McLemore (23) and Ramon Sessions (9) defend in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, in Dallas. AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
Zachary Stieber
Zachary Stieber
Senior Reporter
|Updated:

The Dallas Mavericks are on a three-game winning streak and have left an early impression around the league with their firepower offense.

Check out the latest news and rumors below.

Felton Ban to Start Monday

Raymond Felton must serve a four-game suspension before playing for the Dallas Mavericks, and he plans to start serving the suspension on Monday.

Felton was prevented from serving the ban earlier this season due to being injured in the Mavericks second preseason game.

If the ban does start on Monday then Felton could make his regular season debut for Dallas on November 24 at home against the Indiana Pacers, reported ESPN.

Felton was traded to the Mavericks along with Tyson Chandler in exchange for Shane Larkin, Jose Calderon, and Samuel Dalembert.

He will likely see little playing time because Jameer Nelson has locked in the starting point guard position while Devin Harris and J.J. Barea come off the bench at point.

“It’s definitely something I look at, but it’s also something you’ve got to figure out once you get on the court,” Felton said of his potential role.

“Right now, we’ve got a good rhythm going. We’re playing well, so wherever I fit in, wherever Coach puts me in, that’s where I fit in.”

Ellis Named Player of the Week

The Mavs official website has named Monta Ellis the player of the week.

The website says that the impact that Ellis and Nowitzki have had on each other has propelled the team to new offensive heights.

Ellis has also been boosting other teammates’ play, such as Brandan Wright, Chandler, and Harris.

“Ellis is generating offense for everyone, including himself. And they’re easy points, too. A huge chunk of those points are a result of Ellis penetrating the defense. Dallas scores nearly 1.4 points every time the 2-guard drives to the rim, per SportVU. Ellis is scoring just 6.7 points on drives, but he’s creating 7.0 points for others as well. But even as his individual per-game scoring average off drives has dropped from last season to this season, he’s still 4th in points in the paint per game among guards,” it explained.

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“But maybe the biggest impact Ellis has made is felt in another part of the game: transition. Monta and Chandler Parsons are two of the most dangerous transition players in the league, and that’s transformed this Dallas team for the better. The Mavericks now look to push the ball every chance they get, whether it’s off a turnover or a long miss. Ellis is 14th in the league in fast break points per game and the Mavs are 4th as a team.

“Parsons and Ellis combine to score 6.6 points on the break every game. Those are six very easy points, and as close as the West is going to be this season, every last point matters and could very well decide a game.”

Ellis averaged 21.5 points per game, 4.0 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game this week, while shooting 52.4 percent and 40.0 percent from behind the 3-point line.

Nowitzki Shooting Lights Out This Season

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) of Germany shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Bennett (24) as Monta Ellis (11) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) of Germany shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Bennett (24) as Monta Ellis (11) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Dallas. AP Photo/LM Otero
Zachary Stieber
Zachary Stieber
Senior Reporter
Zachary Stieber is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times based in Maryland. He covers U.S. and world news. Contact Zachary at [email protected]
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