After Davis-Doncic trade, New Maverick Max Christie earns his place: ‘He is not afraid’

With a Lone Houston Rockets defender encrypted to cover two Dalla’s Mavericks players, Dante Exum faced a choice of split-second and decided to bowl it to Max Christie in the left corner.

Christie did not disappoint, drained a 3-pointer that sent the amount into a madness and kept Mavericks’ momentum rolling in the middle of the first quarter.

The third year’s guard played a key role in the Maverick’s 116-105 victory against Rockets on Saturday at the American Airlines Center.

“Max is big, he has been great since we’ve got him,” said Maverick’s coach Jason Kidd. “I understand that they put him in different roles. He played well before trade for Lakers, which is why I think he has just transferred. “

Christie, who turns 22 on Monday, had 23 points and was second on the team in points for his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Anthony Davis, who had 26 points. The 6-5 guard added two rebounds and two assists.

Despite injury, Anthony Davis gives a glimpse of game-changing dominance in the stomach debut

He played the second largest minutes at Mavericks with 33 and was part of the final lineup in the fourth quarter.

Christie went 4-5 from the 3-point area, including making a 3-pointer to set up Mavericks 109-100 with 1:38 back in the game.

“It was just a free -flowing shot to be honest,” Christie said. “I caught the ball. It was something open, I think Naji was open in the corner, but I mean. A kind of just free flowed and shot it instinctively, and I went in and heard that the amount broke out like it was super cool for me, especially in my first home game. “

His hot shooting has raised his 3-point total to 8-12 (66%) since he was traded from Lakers in Luka Doncic and Davis Blockbuster trade.

He average 17.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3 assists in his three games with Mavericks.

Christie has had at least 15 points in each game he has played, but this is his first excursion of 20 or more points.

He was also aggressive and drove towards the edge and on the defensive end. He drew three trips to the free-throwing line and went 5-6 (83%).

“He’s not afraid as a 21-year-old, it’s pretty special,” Kidd said. “He earned a role in LA, and he quickly served a role here with us.”