Hoosiers in the NBA: Yogi Ferrell leads Mavericks with 20 points in loss to Rockets
By Eric Brown
Former Hoosier Yogi Ferrell led the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday Night with 20 points in a loss to the Houston Rockets.
Against the fast paced Houston Rockets teams, the Dallas Mavericks really needed someone to step up and score if they had any chance of winning this game. Plenty of players stepped up, as they had five reach double figures. However, former Hoosier Yogi Ferrell led the Mavericks with 20 points in the 104-97 loss to Houston.
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Coming off three straight games under 10 points for Yogi, he really needed this scoring outburst to get his confidence back up. Of course, many possessions were gained due to playing the Rockets, who are among the fastest playing teams in the NBA. Against Houston, Ferrell scored 20 points on 7-14 shooting, including 4-8 from beyond the arch. Yogi also chipped in five rebounds, and one assist.
Many had expected Yogi to be relegated to a bench role for the 2018 season, as Dallas chose to draft Dennis Smith Jr. early on in the draft. Also, JJ Barea, and Devin Harris returned to the Mavericks in backup roles. Somehow, coach Rick Carlisle has figured out a way to get all four guards (now 3 with Harris’ trade) adequate playing time.
Yogi has made his coach look smart, as if fans of the NBA didn’t already agree that Carlisle is among the best coaches in the league. In just over 29 minutes of action per game this year for Dallas, Ferrell is making the most of this opportunity. He is averagi
ng 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. The rebounds, as well his field goal percentage (43.1%) are both career highs for the second year guard.
Next: Yogi scores 7 in win over Lakers
Despite being one of the best sophomore players in the NBA, Ferrell was left off of Team USA in the Rising Stars challenge. One has to wonder if the teams were still selected as rookies-sophomore, that Yogi would have been selected. For now, Hoosiers fans will have to do with seeing him in a Mavericks jersey, Dallas’ next contest will be on Tuesday against the Kings.