Luka Doncic high IQ continues to be an invaluable weapon as the Dallas Mavericks pulled away with a 118-112 road win over the Milwaukee Bucks in a contested game against the defending champs.
Doncic near triple-double 32 points, 15 assists, and eight rebounds only tells half the story. He exploited the Bucks drop coverage and switch defense with methodical decision-making. He hunted for Bucks big men who found themselves on an island to defend step back 3’s and around-the-world type passes. He found small crevices past the Buck’s arm length to get to the open man for the hockey assist. Against man coverage and full court press, he had no issue of passing to the open man and trusting his teammates to make the right play, even if that meant the ball coming right back to him. Once he was in the paint, he surveyed and read the defense and decided in the moment what to do – a lob to Powell, a last second floater, or across the court pass to a shooter, as if it was a set play.
Mavs fans have been waiting for a breakout game from Dwight Powell all season. With three games left of the regular season they finally got their wish. Powell was the Mavericks second best player tonight with an efficient night on both sides. Undersized against the Bucks big men didn’t stop him from having game high 13 rebounds along with 22 points. Powell found himself as the recipient of Doncic taking advantage of the Bucks swarming defense. His tip backs on the offensive glass, kept plays alive. His non-stop motor and awareness around the rim were the needed edge in this defensive showdown. Mavs fans can only hope this will continue when the playoffs start a week from now.
The physicality and defensive intensity from both teams had the feels of a playoff game, and the Mavericks responded well. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s quiet 28 points and 10 rebounds wasn’t enough to overcome the collective effort of the Mavericks. This was a mouthwash win after the embarrassing 30-point loss against the Washington Wizards two nights ago.
This game was a reiteration of the Mavericks system, that to be successful in the postseason, everything must start and end with Doncic.
Notable mentions
Dorrian Finney-Smith two crucial assists to Powell and Bullock in the fourth quarter provided glimpses of being a multi-dimensional player. He made the Bucks pay by not settling for a contested shot. His shooting is what the Mavs expect and need, but if he continues to put the ball on the floor and read the defense and make the right play, it will be a welcome addition from the Mavericks coaching staff and fans.
This win also moves the Mavericks to the third seed but will probably change due to seismic shift between the fourth seed Warriors who play against the Lakers tonight.
After a slow start to the season, the Mavericks are one win away from their 50th, their first since the 2014-2015 season.
Full Court 