Three observations from Dallas' loss to San Antonio
It's not often teams get a chance to make history. And sadly, the Dallas Mavericks missed their opportunity in a Sunday night loss to the San Antonio Spurs. A 119-117 loss, full of defensive breakdowns and a faltered fourth-quarter run, halted Dallas' opportunity to sweep the season series against the Spurs for the first time […]
It's not often teams get a chance to make history. And sadly, the Dallas Mavericks missed their opportunity in a Sunday night loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
A 119-117 loss, full of defensive breakdowns and a faltered fourth-quarter run, halted Dallas' opportunity to sweep the season series against the Spurs for the first time in 41 years.
The game came down to a single defensive stop. With the score tied at 117 apiece and 19 seconds left on the clock, everyone knew who the ball was going to. DeMar DeRozan, at this point in the game, had 31 points and was responsible for singlehandedly torching the Mavericks in the second half.
With the ball in his hands, he dribbled the clock down to eight-second remaining before he made his move.
A ball screen for DeRozan attempted to draw Luka Doncic into a switch, it didn't work. Dallas played the screen straight up, and the result was a DeRozan mid-range jumper over the outstretched arms of Dorian Finney-Smith with .5 second left on the clock. It was a game, set, match for San Antonio, as DeRozan tallied his critical 33rd point of the evening and the 119-117 victory.
This game: a devastating loss for a Dallas team that needs every win it can get.
After the game, all Doncic could muster was an "it's disappointing." And his sentiment rang true, as the Mavericks missed an opportunity at history, as well as an opportunity to climb closer to the sixth seed in a crowded Western Conference. Let's get into Sunday's key observations.
Key observations:
1.) Dallas didn't send a double-team at DeRozan on the last shot. It should have. Head coach Rick Carlisle explained that he elected to play DeRozan straight up with Finney-Smith. Looking back on the play, he claims he should have made a different decision.
"We should have gone, and that is on me," he said.
2.) Luka Doncic's low post game isn't a recent development. But it does look like he's grown comfortable in using it in key moments. He is a natural creator on the block. His size gives him the ability to see over smaller defenders or punish them with a smooth back-to-the-basket game.
Doncic finished the game with 29 points and seven assists.
3.) The ceiling for Dallas is limited to how good Kristaps Porzingis can be. He fouled out with 31 points and 15 rebounds. He shot 12-21 from the field and 3-8 from three. Porzingis' game gives Dallas options. To be a championship-contending team, it starts with Porzingis playing like an All-NBA player. If Doncic is the engine of the ship, Porzingis is the rudder.
Looking ahead:
On Monday things don't get easier for Dallas. The Philadelphia 76ers, 36-17, are one of the best teams in the league. They also have, arguably, the best center in the league. A loss against San Antonio is a missed opportunity, but it's one Dallas can't dwell on for too long because Monday gives the team a chance to get a win right back.
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Feature image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports.
