Dallas finished Las Vegas with a win, but the biggest takeaways came from the players fighting for the final roster and two-way contract spots.
The Dallas Mavericks needed a few minutes to find their footing Thursday in their Summer League finale, but once they did, they did not look back. Dallas pulled away from the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 97-87 victory to move their Las Vegas Summer League record to 2-2, while Oklahoma City is leaving Las Vegas winless at 0-4.
Dallas started slowly, missing its first several shots and trailing 12-7 midway through the opening quarter. The lob game then changed everything. Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu caught three consecutive alley-oops late in the first quarter, swinging the momentum and giving Dallas the lead for good.
The Mavericks threw six alley-oops during the game and Akobundu-Ehiogu finished five of them. Those easy baskets sparked the offense and carried Dallas through the rest of the afternoon.
John Poulakidas led all scorers with 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting. He knocked down 5 of 12 attempts from 3-point range while adding three rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes. Poulakidas has been one of Dallas' most consistent performers in Las Vegas and games like this strengthen his case for a standard NBA contract instead of a two-way deal.
His shooting fits a valuable NBA role because reliable floor spacers who come off the bench and stretch defenses earn minutes. Poulakidas has looked capable of filling that role throughout Summer League.
Sergio De Larrea controlled the game without scoring in bunches. The young guard finished with 14 assists and nine rebounds, consistently creating easy opportunities for his teammates.
Those 14 assists accounted for 34 Dallas points, including four alley-oops to Akobundu-Ehiogu. Their chemistry became one of the biggest storylines of the past two games.
Akobundu-Ehiogu finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks while providing constant pressure around the rim. Vsevolod Ishchenko added 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals while making both of his 3-point attempts.
Darin Green Jr. scored 18 points off the bench on 7-of-13 shooting and Jaden Springer added 11 points and three blocks. Dallas shot 46 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range while tightening up defensively after halftime to pull away.
The biggest takeaway from the finale was not the final score but Dallas' two-way contract picture. Tyler Smith, who is currently on a two-way contract, was a DNP-Coach's Decision for the second straight game while other players strengthened their cases.
Akobundu-Ehiogu and Ishchenko both turned in impressive Summer League performances, creating real competition for roster spots. With Tobi Lawal appearing to have one of the two-way contracts secured, Dallas must decide who joins him.
The Mavericks also must determine whether to keep Ishchenko in the United States on a two-way deal or continue his development overseas. Those decisions usually come shortly after Summer League ends and Wednesday's outing gave the front office even more to consider.
