Two key observations from a disapointing loss to New York
A slow offensive night stalls the Dallas Mavericks in a frustrating loss to the New York Knicks. Julius Randle torched the Mavericks defense to the tune of 44 points on 29 shots. On a night where the jump shots didn't fall (44 percent from the field and 33 percent from three), Randle's offense proved too […]
A slow offensive night stalls the Dallas Mavericks in a frustrating loss to the New York Knicks.
Julius Randle torched the Mavericks defense to the tune of 44 points on 29 shots. On a night where the jump shots didn't fall (44 percent from the field and 33 percent from three), Randle's offense proved too much for Dallas to overcome.
From the onset, Randle looked aggressive. He got to the basket at will, and he took advantage of key matchups for him offensively. That set the tone for the rest of the game. Dallas remained hopeful that he would eventually cool off, but Friday night was simply Randle's night.
What also aided in the outcome was Dallas' pedestrian offensive night. Both Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis didn't play particularly well. And with this team, they need one of them to be great every night, in order to compete at a high level.
Key observations:
1.) Doncic registered huge assist numbers, but does that really help the team?
He finished with 22 points and 19 assists, and on the surface, those numbers look outstanding. However, high assist numbers don't necessarily mean the ball was flying around. In fact, it tends to mean the exact opposite. When one player records nearly half of a team's assists, it means no other player on the floor is touching it, unless it's to score. The ball sticks.
And with Doncic, for as great as he is, he tends to lack trust for other playmakers within the offense. It's hard for role players to feel engaged in the game when they don't touch the ball for three possessions at a time as Doncic dribbles at the top of the key.
Where it stands now, there are two paths Doncic can go down: the James Harden route or the LeBron James route. And it is up to him to choose. Being off the ball more may help Dallas' offense open up. It will also get Porzingis more touches within the natural flow of the game. And it will prevent Doncic from having to play Superman every single night.
2.) Dallas is struggling to find wins in the last six games.
The Knicks are good. Defensively they are sound. Offensively, they rely on RJ Barrett and Randle to manufacture baskets for them, and they are good. However, the Knicks are still a team Dallas should beat.
From a talent standpoint, Dallas' top five are better than the Knicks'. Yet, on Friday night that didn't look like the case. The Mavs are going through the motions. But the problem is that in the last six games they are 2-4 against beatable teams. This loss to the Knicks is just the latest example of what happens to a team that developed bad habits while they were winning, and now they are coming back to bite.
Looking ahead:
The good news is that Dallas gets to play the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. They are a team that will score a bunch of points, but they cant rebound or defend. Porzingis and Doncic should have their way on the floor. To add, Sacramento hasn't won a game in its last seven played. This is a win Dallas has to have going forward.
The Mavericks control their own fate. They complained about a play-in tournament, but can't seem to win games that will help them avoid it. Dallas now controls its own destiny. And the rest of the season will be what the team's effort makes of it.
Feature image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports.
