08-09-2020, 01:58 AM
Mavs Show Clutch Chops in Overtime Victory
Luka Explodes in Superlative Performance
The Mavericks took the number one team in the league to an overtime win on the back of a simply sensational night from Luka, and the team finally clicking on all cylinders.
Game Story
Seth and DFS were listed as questionable before the game, but both made it into the starting lineup.
First quarter. The Mavs got out to a great start, with everyone looking to be on the same page, and straightaway generated some highlight moments. Luka had a spectacular behind-the-back pass fake before going up for a bucket. About halfway through the period, Trey Burke had a nifty pass to KP for a SLAM! Toward the end of the period, Luka was called for a blocking foul when Giannis barreled over him. Rick challenged the call, and Giannis was rightfully tagged with the charge. In the last minute, Maxi had a defensive kick-out into Giannis’ nether regions, and on review, was called for a flagrant. Come on, man. The Mavericks got off to a pretty good lead, but the Bucks had a 7-0 run to end the quarter. 35-32 Mavs.
Second Quarter. The second frame opened well, as Luka found cutters Delon Wright and DFS on their way to the basket. With five minutes left, Maxi was called for his third foul. He went to the bench shaking his head and looking chagrined before dissolving in snickers as Giannis air-balled a free throw, lol. Not long after, KP showed off his passing skills by following up a rebound with a lob all the way down the court to DFS, who dove to the basket and dropped it in. Unfortunately, the Bucks made a mega-run, largely on the strength of a 21-point quarter from Brook Lopez. Dallas trailed 62-71 going into the locker room.
Third Quarter. In the third, Luka found KP on a baseline cut for a two-handed flush, WITH AUTHORITY. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist made a debut cameo. Toward the end of the frame, Trey Burke had a lovely lob to Justin Jackson, who was fouled and hit his free throws. The Mavs ended the quarter with Luka breaking down the defense for another KP jam, a great pass from Luka to Jackson, and a steal by Burke. Dallas made up their deficit and then some, taking a 93-91 lead into the fourth.
Fourth quarter. The fourth period started well, with a Luka-Maxi lob for an and-one. Doncic hit a step-back three over Wesley Matthews, followed by a catch-and-shoot from deep from Doe-Doe. The Mavs had the last 7 points of the quarter, taking the game to overtime at 119-119.
Overtime. Our boys scored the first 9 points of the period. The Bucks whittled the lead down to 2 a couple of times. KP fouled out at the 1:23 mark. At 1:08, Luka had a brilliant bounce pass between Giannis’ legs to Maxi, who had the presence of mind to reach down and grab it before going up for a bucket. After the game, Kleber said that Luka will always give you a shot if you’re in position, so you have to be ready for those between-the-legs passes, lol. Giannis fouled out with 5 seconds left, and Luka took the team home.
What a fun game!
Analytics
Neither team shot well from long range. The Mavs were 32% from three, but shot 60% from inside the arc, and were a fabulous 92% from the line. Dallas rebounded well, and got up 16 more shots than their Eastern Conference opponent. Although the Mavericks had 9 fewer FTAs than the Bucks, their highly accurate performance from the line resulted in both sides earning 23 points on freebies. All in all, the Mavs were -2 on points from twos, +6 on points from threes, and even on made free throws.
Ball movement was stellar, and 37 of the Mavericks’ made baskets were assisted. Our men took very good care of the ball, losing only 6 points to turnovers, while the Bucks surrendered 19 points on giveaways. Finally, the Mavs emphasized getting to the basket, and had 54 points in the paint, exceeding the Bucks by 6.
Players
DFS (43 min) — Oh, what a night for Doe-Doe. He had a career-high 27 points, including 6 threes. He also contributed 11 rebounds (5 offensive) and 5 assists. Such a performance! He wasn’t big enough to guard Lopez and Giannis under the basket, but he was pretty unguardable as well. The Bucks tried to hide Lopez on Dorian, and DFS absolutely clowned him on the offensive end. Luka created some great shots for him, and he rewarded the trust. Great job from the small forward! More of that, please!
Luka (42 min) — OMG! There are no words! The young star had 36 points, going 12-24 from the field and 9-10 from the line. He was awesome in terms of managing the game and not letting the offense get static. His scoreline also boasted 14 rebounds and an insane career-high 19 assists. And he’s only 21 years old!
He earned his 17th triple-double of the campaign, making him King of the Triple Double for this season, it being too late for anyone else to catch up with him. He is the youngest player in NBA history to lead the league in triple dubs for a season, and the only player to ever have a 36-14-19 line. Rick admired the “ridiculous” stats, but said he was most proud of Luka for his leadership, keeping everyone involved and dealing professionally with the refs. He says Luka is a “savant,” always knowing where everyone is on both ends of the court, and he views Doncic as in a class with Larry Bird and Jason Kidd in that respect.
Luka was named a finalist for Most Improved Player of the Year. Amazing for a guy who was Rookie of the Year last season! What an incredible night for our superstar!! Hallelukah!
KP (40 min) — Porzee shone, with 26 points and 11 boards. He didn’t have a great shooting night (9-24), but went 7-7 from the line and was the only Mav who had the size and skill to defend the Bucks’ talented big men. He served as the anchor on the defensive end, and confounded the hapless Bucks who tried to guard him.
Others -- Hardaway had a big clutch three in overtime. Maxi was good for 15 points, and looked to be on a string with his teammates. Burke put up 10 points off the bench, and added 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 20 minutes.
Bucks — Brook Lopez had a career-high 34 points, including 6 from deep. Fortunately, in the end, he couldn’t keep up defensively. Khris Middleton had 21 points and 11 assists. Giannis was quite impressive with 34 points and 13 rebounds, although he was only 7-14 from the line. I have to compliment him for his great effort, but the poor guy just ran into a buzz saw against Luka.
Remarks
This was just a wonderful performance from the Mavericks, despite the so-so three-point shooting. Truly remarkable at the end of regulation and in overtime. Beyond awesome from Luka. If this team played like this all the time, they could beat anyone! Fantastic!!!
Next. Utah, on Monday. Mosey on by. You never can tell what you're going to see when you turn on a Mavs game!
Luka Explodes in Superlative Performance
The Mavericks took the number one team in the league to an overtime win on the back of a simply sensational night from Luka, and the team finally clicking on all cylinders.
Game Story
Seth and DFS were listed as questionable before the game, but both made it into the starting lineup.
First quarter. The Mavs got out to a great start, with everyone looking to be on the same page, and straightaway generated some highlight moments. Luka had a spectacular behind-the-back pass fake before going up for a bucket. About halfway through the period, Trey Burke had a nifty pass to KP for a SLAM! Toward the end of the period, Luka was called for a blocking foul when Giannis barreled over him. Rick challenged the call, and Giannis was rightfully tagged with the charge. In the last minute, Maxi had a defensive kick-out into Giannis’ nether regions, and on review, was called for a flagrant. Come on, man. The Mavericks got off to a pretty good lead, but the Bucks had a 7-0 run to end the quarter. 35-32 Mavs.
Second Quarter. The second frame opened well, as Luka found cutters Delon Wright and DFS on their way to the basket. With five minutes left, Maxi was called for his third foul. He went to the bench shaking his head and looking chagrined before dissolving in snickers as Giannis air-balled a free throw, lol. Not long after, KP showed off his passing skills by following up a rebound with a lob all the way down the court to DFS, who dove to the basket and dropped it in. Unfortunately, the Bucks made a mega-run, largely on the strength of a 21-point quarter from Brook Lopez. Dallas trailed 62-71 going into the locker room.
Third Quarter. In the third, Luka found KP on a baseline cut for a two-handed flush, WITH AUTHORITY. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist made a debut cameo. Toward the end of the frame, Trey Burke had a lovely lob to Justin Jackson, who was fouled and hit his free throws. The Mavs ended the quarter with Luka breaking down the defense for another KP jam, a great pass from Luka to Jackson, and a steal by Burke. Dallas made up their deficit and then some, taking a 93-91 lead into the fourth.
Fourth quarter. The fourth period started well, with a Luka-Maxi lob for an and-one. Doncic hit a step-back three over Wesley Matthews, followed by a catch-and-shoot from deep from Doe-Doe. The Mavs had the last 7 points of the quarter, taking the game to overtime at 119-119.
Overtime. Our boys scored the first 9 points of the period. The Bucks whittled the lead down to 2 a couple of times. KP fouled out at the 1:23 mark. At 1:08, Luka had a brilliant bounce pass between Giannis’ legs to Maxi, who had the presence of mind to reach down and grab it before going up for a bucket. After the game, Kleber said that Luka will always give you a shot if you’re in position, so you have to be ready for those between-the-legs passes, lol. Giannis fouled out with 5 seconds left, and Luka took the team home.
What a fun game!
Analytics
Neither team shot well from long range. The Mavs were 32% from three, but shot 60% from inside the arc, and were a fabulous 92% from the line. Dallas rebounded well, and got up 16 more shots than their Eastern Conference opponent. Although the Mavericks had 9 fewer FTAs than the Bucks, their highly accurate performance from the line resulted in both sides earning 23 points on freebies. All in all, the Mavs were -2 on points from twos, +6 on points from threes, and even on made free throws.
Ball movement was stellar, and 37 of the Mavericks’ made baskets were assisted. Our men took very good care of the ball, losing only 6 points to turnovers, while the Bucks surrendered 19 points on giveaways. Finally, the Mavs emphasized getting to the basket, and had 54 points in the paint, exceeding the Bucks by 6.
Players
DFS (43 min) — Oh, what a night for Doe-Doe. He had a career-high 27 points, including 6 threes. He also contributed 11 rebounds (5 offensive) and 5 assists. Such a performance! He wasn’t big enough to guard Lopez and Giannis under the basket, but he was pretty unguardable as well. The Bucks tried to hide Lopez on Dorian, and DFS absolutely clowned him on the offensive end. Luka created some great shots for him, and he rewarded the trust. Great job from the small forward! More of that, please!
Luka (42 min) — OMG! There are no words! The young star had 36 points, going 12-24 from the field and 9-10 from the line. He was awesome in terms of managing the game and not letting the offense get static. His scoreline also boasted 14 rebounds and an insane career-high 19 assists. And he’s only 21 years old!
He earned his 17th triple-double of the campaign, making him King of the Triple Double for this season, it being too late for anyone else to catch up with him. He is the youngest player in NBA history to lead the league in triple dubs for a season, and the only player to ever have a 36-14-19 line. Rick admired the “ridiculous” stats, but said he was most proud of Luka for his leadership, keeping everyone involved and dealing professionally with the refs. He says Luka is a “savant,” always knowing where everyone is on both ends of the court, and he views Doncic as in a class with Larry Bird and Jason Kidd in that respect.
Luka was named a finalist for Most Improved Player of the Year. Amazing for a guy who was Rookie of the Year last season! What an incredible night for our superstar!! Hallelukah!
KP (40 min) — Porzee shone, with 26 points and 11 boards. He didn’t have a great shooting night (9-24), but went 7-7 from the line and was the only Mav who had the size and skill to defend the Bucks’ talented big men. He served as the anchor on the defensive end, and confounded the hapless Bucks who tried to guard him.
Others -- Hardaway had a big clutch three in overtime. Maxi was good for 15 points, and looked to be on a string with his teammates. Burke put up 10 points off the bench, and added 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 20 minutes.
Bucks — Brook Lopez had a career-high 34 points, including 6 from deep. Fortunately, in the end, he couldn’t keep up defensively. Khris Middleton had 21 points and 11 assists. Giannis was quite impressive with 34 points and 13 rebounds, although he was only 7-14 from the line. I have to compliment him for his great effort, but the poor guy just ran into a buzz saw against Luka.
Remarks
This was just a wonderful performance from the Mavericks, despite the so-so three-point shooting. Truly remarkable at the end of regulation and in overtime. Beyond awesome from Luka. If this team played like this all the time, they could beat anyone! Fantastic!!!
Next. Utah, on Monday. Mosey on by. You never can tell what you're going to see when you turn on a Mavs game!