After winning the home opener against Brooklyn, the Mavericks are now 2-0.
On Friday night, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Brooklyn Nets with a score of 125–120. Dallas was led by Luka Doncic, who had an incredible performance with 49 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. In the Nets’ loss, Cam Thomas scored thirty points.
The Mavericks took an early lead in the first frame, but the Nets stormed back. It was a back-and-forth game. Luka Doncic appeared ready for a big game after making three threes in a short period of time. Unfazed, the Nets responded appropriately, outlasting the Mavericks with a driving slam by Spencer Dinwiddie. In the second half of the quarter, as both teams’ shooting cooled off, the rate of scoring decreased. After twelve minutes, Dante Exum’s explosive fast break slam and a driving layup by Kyrie Irving put Dallas ahead 25–25.
Early in the quarter, Dereck Lively II scored on consecutive possessions, extending his stellar start to the season. Both sides had a string of ugly possessions after that, but at approximately 6:30, the Mavericks pulled ahead by three points, forcing a timeout from Brooklyn. Dallas had an opportunity to build on their lead, but careless mistakes allowed the Nets to score easily and shift the score once more. After making three straight three-pointers, Spencer Dinwiddie forced a Maverick timeout. Dallas was behind at the half, 59-57, when Luka Doncic made a deep three-pointer near the end of the half.
In the third quarter, the Nets seemed poised to take the lead as Dallas was unable to come up with a stop for Dinwiddie’s potent shooting. The Mavericks lost by as much as seven points because Dallas players were unable to convert on excellent looks for the majority of the quarter. However, Luka Doncic became a one-man show, relieving some of the pressure on the vulnerable Maverick defense. The Mavericks were down 89-88 going into the final quarter, but Tim Hardaway’s free throws following the buzzer kept Dallas within striking distance.
The Mavericks failed to recover the lead when Dallas chose to start the fourth quarter with an unorthodox lineup. The Mavericks seemed to be losing the game after falling behind by seven points. After Powell’s tip to pull the Mavericks within one, Kyrie answered with six straight points, forcing a Brooklyn timeout. Powell’s three-pointer, which gave the Mavericks their first lead since the first half, continued an odd basketball evening. Brooklyn immediately retaliated and, after a DFS three, extended the lead to four. Doncic donned his cape to assist Dallas in maintaining pace as the Mavericks were unable to come to a stop. With 85 seconds left, his ninth successful three-pointer gave Dallas a one-point advantage. After the Nets pulled even at 120, Doncic’s ninth three-pointer, a spectacular bank shot, put Dallas ahead once more. Josh Green sealed the game with two free throws to make it 125-120 following a miss by the Nets.
Magic, Luka
Doncic has scored forty points or more in thirty of his career games. Regarding Doncic, I’m at a loss for words that I haven’t previously expressed. He was incredible; he was the driving force behind Dallas’ victory. What a teammate. Such a match!
Although the defense is weak, it hasn’t really mattered.
The sample size is limited to two games, but the defense isn’t very strong. Dereck Lively seems like a good place to start as a defensive pillar, but the Dallas defense lacks cohesiveness. I’ll be the first to acknowledge that some of the issues are related to certain aspects of the Mavericks’ defensive strategy, namely in regards to when they switch and when they don’t. It also hurts when individuals like Josh Green overhelp. Additionally, during the first two games, a few players from the opposite team have lit them up. Although defense is difficult and the season is lengthy, early returns create more questions than they solve. Ideally, the Mavver would
Dereck Lively must be played by Kidd.
In connection with the previous issue, the defense struggles when Lively isn’t playing. He took a move that Kidd did not like in the third quarter, going to the bench at 8:43 and sitting there until the 4.1 second mark. Why are we in this place? I’m hoping the post-game answers our questions.
Don’t be concerned about Kyrie Irving if you are
Irving is just 16 of 41 from the field through two games, and he has occasionally appeared uneasy. However, do not conflate his lack of effort with inaction. Irving has a lot of shots that he can definitely make go down. His clutch play and his lack of anger when those shots don’t fall have been outstanding. He’ll be alright, and he’s about to have a big game. Dallas hasn’t yet required a phenomenal Kyrie to win a game, so it will be even more amazing if he does.