The Mavericks Take on the Denver Nuggets in Western Conference Showdown

The Mavericks are third in the West and are just half a game behind the second, OKC Thunder. Now at 16-9, they travel to the Rockies tomorrow to visit the champion Denver Nuggets. An excellent opportunity to show that they are more than a team that (not a little, this is how they move at a good pace in the regular season) does not fail against those who do not have to fail; that ensures the victories that seem very within reach and scratches a few of the others. That, I insist, is not little. But the Mavericks are fighting to position themselves on the noble side of a West that is redefining its hierarchies with some promotions (Timberwolves, Thunder) that seem anything but a flower of a day. While deciding how close or far they are from each other, they do their homework. It’s what it takes. In Portland, against Trail Blazers in another universe (6-18), they delivered in a healthy way: 120-131.

With chagrin, yes: Dereck Lively II, the rookie center on whom a good part of Jason Kidd’s (in any case weak) defensive frame depends, left in the first quarter with a sprained ankle. His loss joins those of Kyrie Irving, Josh Green and Maxi Kleber. But without their full format, the Mavs can put themselves in the hands of Luka Doncic and breathe: this time 40 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. A 15/28 in shooting only slightly spoiled by his 4/12 in triples. His tenth game with at least thirty points, a franchise record. He is also the one with the most games of 35 or more for his team, already ahead (79 to 78) of Dirk Nowitzki. And he has five triple-doubles this season, 61 already in his career and eight of at least 40 points. More than Wilt Chamberlain (seven) and only behind Russell Westbrook (13), James Harden (15) and Oscar Robertson (22).

Every Doncic game requires a good numerical review. Almost everyone breaks or extends records, accumulates numbers that build a resume that will end up being historic… and in which great collective victories begin to become an obsession. Everything else is a bridge to them, although that puzzle (the most complex) is the one that the Mavericks are furthest from solving. Meanwhile, teams like the Trail Blazers cannot do anything against a player who dominates the games in an amazing way and who this time had 22 points at the end of the first quarter and 30 at halftime. With a weak defender on the outside like scorer Anfernee Simons (yes, a lot of talent: 33 points) and Deandre Ayton sinking in the pick and roll defense, Doncic played as he pleased. When the Blazers put smaller quintets and pressed to get the ball out of the point guard’s hands, the Mavs found solutions to punish the excess of bodies on their franchise player. They were weak behind, sold in the area (72 points from their rival) without Lively. But on days like this and against rivals like this, it doesn’t matter too much.

After a crushing 24-38 in the second quarter, Simons’ points more or less kept the Blazers within reach, who were within seven (105-112) with nine minutes left. They didn’t get any closer. Scoot Henderson, the one designated as the new franchise player (number 3 in the last draft), is still not exactly ready for feats. The post-Lillard hope is having a very delicate start to the course and is progressing very little by little (this time, 13 points and two assists for three losses). Shaedon Sharpe did not have his day and between Simons and Jerami Grant who returned after several games out (27 points) they sustained an attack with brilliant moments when he was a team player and a passer. It’s not difficult to find holes in the Mavs’ defense either.

If anything, it was just another day at the office for Doncic. With everything, everything, what that means when talking about a player like that. That he beat Ayton again (7 points, all in the first quarter, 10 rebounds), that sad figure center who was number 1 in his draft and who is no longer even on the team that chose him, Phoenix Suns . This is life in the NBA, complicated for some… and very simple for others. Or so it seems on many nights for Doncic, certainly against opponents who collectively are no better than his Mavs. The other, the most difficult mountains to climb, are the great pending test, the last curtain that will have to fall in the decisive moments of the playoffs. Tomorrow, in Denver, Doncic and his Mavericks will be able to rehearse with much more real fire.

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2023-12-17 05:45:47
#wild #dance #Luka #Doncic