Game 5: Houston Rockets (2-2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (3-1) | 7:30pm CST

[omahen]

It’s because he can’t beat anyone off the dribble. Either because he’s out of shape, slightly injured, or both. He has started the last three or four seasons this way.

Have to call you out, because you are just wrong on this one. It is correct he didn't start this season great, but he had two monster starts last two seasons.

Season 2022-23: October 37 ppg (6 games), November 32 ppg, December 35 ppg, then his production started falling as it was just too much on him.
Season 2023-24: October 39 ppg (3 games), "bad" November with 30 ppg and then monster December and January with 37 ppg

This season he is shooting worse and especially his assist numbers are far lower. But I think the latter has a lot to do with changed offense as ball is less in his hands than prior two seasons. Mavs as a team have 24.4 apg this season, which is 2 more than in 2022/23 and 1 less than in 2023/24. Mavs problem so far is bad shooting overall, as they are shooting just 44 % overall (48 % overall in 2023/24). 

Also: Luka was bad against Phoenix?