SUBJECT: MAVS (13-6)
GAME 3 of 3
12/1 @ LAL • W, 114-100
Game notes from Dallas’s biggest win of the season so far - took advantage of a strong, defensive second half (held LAL to 38 pts) en route to victory:
MORE NOTES
Starting 5: Luka-THJ-DFS-Porzingis-Powell
L. Doncic: 27, 10 dimes, 9 boards, 3 steals, 7 TOs
D. Wright: 17, 9 dimes, 5 boards, 4 steals, team-high +16!
D. Powell: 15! & 9 boards in 32! min.
J. Jackson: 15! pts, 3 triples in 15 min.
K. Porzingis: 15 & 6 boards (27 min.)
11-man rotation: Luka-THJ-DFS-Porzingis-Powell-Wright-Brunson-Curry-Jackson-Kleber-Marjanovic
DAL: 24 dimes v. 13 TOs
DAL: 17!/49 from deep
TRACKING GOALS
L. Doncic: 4 or less TOs in 2 of 3 games; 30 or more in 2 of 3 games -- Nope.
K. Porzingis: 20+ pts in 2 of 3 games -- Nope.
THJ: 9 made threes over 3 games -- Made 7 triples.
D. Wright & S. Curry: combined 20+ pts/game -- avg. 17.6 ppg
DAL: 2-1 record or better -- Yup.
DAL: outrebound opponent in 2 of 3 games -- Nope.
DAL: more assists than opponent in 2 of 3 games -- Nope.
DAL: less TOs than opponent in 2 of 3 games -- Yup.
Goals Completed: 2/8
TAKEAWAY
Dallas’s tracking... period produced very positive results. They reached our mark of 2-1, capped by a huge statement victory v. the red-hot Lakers.
Rick Carlisle’s #1 offense was as good as advertised & outside of his poor performance (by his standards) v. LAC, Luka Doncic looks the part as a top MVP candidate. Averaging a 30-pt. triple-double somehow takes a backseat to his game-to-game efficiency & execution as a #1 option.
When Doncic receives enough “support,” Dallas is extremely tough to deal with. Coach Carlisle’s depth & rotations are set up to maximize cohesion on offense whether Doncic plays or sits - if Delon Wright, Jalen Brunson & Seth Curry continue to set the tone off the bench, Dallas is able to remain effective while Luka rests…like he did in their blowout W @ LAL.
DALLAS MAVS
13-6, 4th in West
Any question marks or concerns?
Currently, the biggest concern is Kristaps Porzingis, who hasn’t shown the level of consistency he’s capable of (yet). As he slowly integrates & becomes more comfortable with his role, Dallas will continue to improve - a scary thought for the rest of the Western Conference.
To become a contender, you need at least 3-4 of the following items:
Franchise player/All-Star level talent
Top 5 offense and/or defense
Reliable bench
Tremendous coaching
It’s (still) early but the Mavs can check nearly every box, if not all of them.
Luka Doncic is clearly someone you build around, DAL remains #1 in offensive rating (116.0!) + 5th in bench scoring (43 ppg) & Rick Carlisle has been one of the game’s top strategists for over a decade.
The recipe for a dark horse contender is there but it’s a long season & things can change quickly out West. If Luka continues this pace, however, homecourt advantage is a real possibility.
Tracking Complete.
(Baro.)