The Mavericks have been in great shape for a month with a 10th victory in eleven games, and Luka Doncic has his best game of the season to repel the catchy Raptors (102-98). But these same Mavericks suffered a lot, especially in the first quarter when Pascal Siakam and his teammates took control of the racket. Offensive rebounds, repeated taps, drives… Toronto takes the lead (31-27) against one of the best defenses of the moment.
Jason Kidd finds the right formula, and Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis make the difference in attack. Chris Boucher resists but Luka Doncic finally gives the advantage to the Mavericks just before the break (55-54). The result is a long mano a mano with 22 changes of leaders, and two minutes from the end, Fred VanVleet, 3-pointers in first intention, gives the hand to the Raptors (96-95). Except that Luka Doncic responds to him in stride with a magnificent left hand move to eliminate Scottie Barnes (97-96).
Behind, Pascal Siakam misses his shot at half distance and the ball goes to Luka Doncic. He is very far away, but he is in his garden, near the scorer’s table, and he plants his 3-pointer at nine meters! The room explodes, and Porzingis will ensure the victory of Dallas on free throws to catch up with a lost ball which could have been expensive.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Mavericks defense. Fourth straight victory for Dallas, the 10th in 11 games, and once again Luka Doncic’s teammates keep an opponent under the 100-point mark. After a complicated quarter, they managed to close the racket with a sort of 2-1-2 which blocks access to the paint, or rather which traps the attackers. The aggressiveness of Jalen Brunson and the mobility of a Dwight Powell are precious.
– The short rotation of the Raptors. Nick Nurse pays for his choice to play with only seven players… His holders were burnt out at the end, and the Toronto coach pulls too much on the rope of his leaders. Elements like Svi Mykhailiuk or Yuta Watanabe would have offered a little rest to a Siakam or a VanVleet.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Luka Doncic. He’s back to his best and it shows! However, Scottie Barnes defended well on him, but the Slovenian found his ease in gestures. And as he defends better and he is very involved in the rebound, it gives his best game of the season with 41 points and 14 rebounds.
✅ Kristaps Porzingis. Mark Cuban will watch the second quarter on a loop. We see a Kristaps Porzingis taking the match on his own and getting to the level of Luka Doncic. A full match even if he still loses a lot of ball. The one at the very end of the match could have been expensive.
✅ Chris Boucher. The sixth of the Raptors is the best player in his formation, and it is he who has hurt the defense of the Mavericks the most. As soon as he came into play, he multiplied the offensive rebounds and his energy compensated for the fatigue of the starters.
⛔ Fred VanVleet. The Raptors point guard is on his knees, and he finished the game at 4 of 20 on shots, with 15 3-point shots attempted. The Mavericks closed his access to the circle well, and helplessness, Fred VanVleet watered a lot.
THE FOLLOWING
Dallas (26-19) : the Mavericks begin their obstacle course with a game against the Suns this Thursday.
Toronto (21-21) : end of the “road-trip” on Friday on the Washington side
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