The playoff race across the NBA is heating up, and more and more games are carrying significant weight with the end of the season on the horizon. The No...
Luka Doncic Says Mavericks Struggling with Energy During Recent 2-5 Stretch
Apr 19, 2021
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic walks to the bench during a timeout in the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, April 16, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
The Dallas Mavericks are not exactly rounding into form as the playoffs approach.
Dallas fell to 2-5 in its last seven games following Sunday's 121-107 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Luka Doncic admitted that the team's energy has been an issue of late.
"I don't know, but all I know is it's got to start with me," he told reporters when asked how to fix it. "I've got to do way better, keeping guys motivated. It starts with me."
While the dog days of summer is a phrase associated with the drag of the baseball season, it's difficult not to get that sense at times from the 2020-21 NBA campaign.
Teams have been asked to squeeze games into a condensed schedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and there have been a number of significant injuries. Fatigue starting to set in and impacting the energy in Dallas and elsewhere would be somewhat understandable, especially with more important playoff games around the corner.
Still, this squad is not exactly in a position to simply be coasting until the postseason.
The Mavericks occupy the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference standings at 30-26 and are just a half-game ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies. They are also two games behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the ever-important No. 6 seed.
The Nos. 7-10 seeds will participate in the play-in tournament this season, so earning the No. 6 seed would give the Mavericks a rest and perhaps allow them to recoup some of their energy prior to the playoffs.
While Doncic accepted the responsibility for trying to motivate the team to play better, it is hard to blame him for the recent downturn.
He scored 37 points in Sunday's loss and just missed a triple-double in Friday's loss to the New York Knicks with 22 points, 19 assists and eight rebounds. That type of production from the star player should help Dallas remain competitive in any game, although that has not been the case of late.
With a month left in the 2020-21 NBA season, crunch time is officially here. Teams with legitimate championship shots should be trying to hit their peaks over the limited schedule ...
Julius Randle Scores 44 Points as Knicks Beat Luka Doncic, Mavericks 117-109
Apr 17, 2021
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) drives inside to score as Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Richardson (0) and forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (11) watch during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 16, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Julius Randle matched his season-high scoring total with 44 points to lead the New York Knicks to their fifth straight win after beating the Dallas Mavericks 117-109 on the road in American Airlines Center on Friday.
Randle had 21 first-half points and 35 through three quarters, and he shot 16-of-29 overall and 6-of-11 from three-point range. The 26-year-old also scored 44 in a 123-112 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 15.
Knicks forward RJ Barrett scored 13 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, including the team's first eight in the frame to give New York a 91-82 lead. The Knicks never led by fewer than six points from that moment forward.
Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic scored 22 points on 7-of-16 shooting but tied his career-high assist total with 19. Kristaps Porzingis led the Mavs with 23 points and 12 boards.
The Knicks improved to 30-27 with the victory, and the Mavs fell to 30-25.
Notable Performances
Knicks PF Julius Randle: 44 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists
Knicks SF RJ Barrett: 24 points, 8 rebounds
Knicks PG Derrick Rose: 15 points, 5 assists
Mavericks PG Luka Doncic: 22 points, 19 assists, 8 rebounds
Mavericks C Kristaps Porzingis: 23 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks
Mavericks F Dorian Finney-Smith: 13 points, 7 rebounds
Randle Rolls Again, Knicks Win Again
The 2019 free-agency season is not a pleasant memory for Knicks fans, as they lost out on all the A-list names.
What resulted was the team signing a glut of power forwards and point guards, with the biggest free-agent contract going to Julius Randle.
The ex-Los Angeles Laker and New Orleans Pelican became the de facto best player on a bad Knicks team that finished 21-45. The Knicks also endured midseason coaching and front-office changes in hopes of somehow turning the fortunes of a team that hadn't won the NBA Finals since 1973.
Hopes weren't particularly high entering this season, but optimism has reigned in the Big Apple thanks largely to a player who was seen as a consolation prize of sorts two years ago.
On Friday, Randle finished the third quarter with a step-back three-pointer that gave the Knicks a 83-79 edge.
He was also an excellent distributor, though, perhaps never better than when he found Barrett for a three to put New York up four near the end of the second quarter:
By game's end, he joined some incredible franchise company and did something no player had done in 36 years:
Julius Randle is the first Knicks player with 40 Pts, 10 Reb and 5 Ast in a single game since Bernard King did it on March 22, 1985 in a win against the Pacers. pic.twitter.com/mIzwFK66gO
He also found his name on a list alongside ex-Knick great Carmelo Anthony:
Julius Randle becomes the the first @nyknicks player since Carmelo Anthony in 2013-14 to record multiple 40-point games in a single season. pic.twitter.com/p4I7CL4hKU
Randle entered the night averaging 23.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 6.0 assists per contest, and it's easy to believe he will finish the season with more hardware (and perhaps head coach Tom Thibodeau will too). His fantastic scoring pace of late (36.7 PPG in his last three matchups) helps at least.
Julius Randle comes back to Dallas and rings up a tidy 44 points to lead the Knicks of New York to their fifth consecutive victory. Randle's remarkable Year 7 continues. https://t.co/i2alAJrZ1u
Now the Knicks head back to New York for a six-game homestand and a huge wave of momentum thanks largely to Randle, who has his team on the precipice of a top-four Eastern Conference playoff seed.
Barrett's Fourth-Quarter Barrage Dooms Mavs
Despite Randle's heroics, the Mavs had a chance to take the lead going into the fourth quarter. Down 80-79, Dallas big man Kristaps Porzingis missed a three with 21.2 seconds left. Barrett grabbed the rebound, and Randle hit a three to put New York up four.
Still, the Knicks didn't have an insurmountable lead, and Randle hit the bench to rest for the start the fourth.
The door was open to make a run, but Barrett shut that door.
The second-year pro started going to work within the first minute, backing down shooting guard JJ Redick and putting home a layup despite the foul:
He hit the free throw to finish the three-point play.
Redick hit a three in response to cut the lead back to four, but Barrett went to work, beating center Dwight Powell's defense to finish once again in the paint:
Two possessions later, Knicks point guard Derrick Rose found Barrett in the corner, and the 21-year-old delivered with a corner three to put New York up nine:
Barrett's hustle, grit and power were on full display, and he grabbed his own miss for a putback layup later in the quarter to give New York an 11-point edge.
His efforts bought the Knicks time to rest Randle, and by the time the All-Star returned, New York had a 96-87 lead. Randle took over from there, scoring nine points in the final eight minutes.
This night belonged to Randle, but it was Barrett who prevented the Mavs from making the matchup a one-possession game at any point in the fourth quarter. And that helped New York glide to victory.
Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau Defends NBA's Play-In Tournament Amid Criticism from Mavs
Apr 15, 2021
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 05, 2021 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Knicks 114-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau defended the NBA's play-in tournament after Dallas Mavericks governor Mark Cuban and star Luka Doncic criticized the concept.
Thibodeau weighed in Wednesday following the Knicks' 116-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, per Newsday's Steve Popper:
"I think there are a lot of benefits to it. And so, I guess it depends on what perspective you're looking at it from. I thought Mark articulated that very well. He talked about initially he voted for it, all the benefits. And we saw that I think everyone felt the same way. And so I think we have to let it play out first and then assess it again. But I think a lot of a lot of teams being involved in important games, I think that that's good for the league. I think you're always concerned about that. And so let's see [...] how it plays out, but the initial thought of it I think is very good.
While there's no reason to question whether he was being genuine, it's at least a little easier for Thibodeau to be in favor of the play-in tournament because the Knicks would avoid it if the season ended today. New York sits sixth in the Eastern Conference at 29-27.
The Mavs, on the other hand, wouldn't have that luxury.
➡️ Teams ranked 7-10 will participate in the NBA Play-In Tournament after the regular season (May 18-21) to secure the final two spots in the Playoffs for each conference. pic.twitter.com/tGcWqioOFK
ESPN's Baxter Holmes reported Wednesday that some NBA general managers and trainers believe the compressed regular season has left players at a higher risk of injury. One assistant coach told Holmes it's "the worst schedule I've seen in 25 years in the league."
Cuban explained how the unique circumstances of the 2020-21 campaign were driving his thoughts on the matter:
In a previous season, the Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers would probably be dead in the water in a playoff context. Toronto and Washington are six games back of the eighth-place Charlotte Hornets, with Cleveland seven games back. However, the three teams are all within two games of the 10th-place Chicago Bulls, so the postseason remains in play.
"I love it," Wizards coach Scott Brooks told reporters of the play-in. "It’s been a challenge, not only physically what the players have been. ... But that’s life. You gotta get back up and keep charging forward and moving forward."
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that cliche will probably apply to the play-in tournament for as long as it remains a part of the NBA's playoff formula.
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Mavericks' Rick Carlisle on Luka Doncic's Buzzer-Beater: 'We Had Houdini'
Apr 15, 2021
MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 14: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 14, 2021 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic took an inbound pass, split two defenders and launched a running one-handed three-pointer within 1.8 seconds to give his team a 114-113 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday:
Carlisle mentioned that he's lost a good deal of money after emerging on the wrong end of bets with Doncic.
"I can't tell you how many thousands of dollars I've lost to him on half-court shots," Carlisle said, per Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News.
"One time in Mexico City, our second year, I paid him off in pesos because I was so pissed about it. I don't bet him anymore."
Doncic's shot Wednesday should likely have some staying power in future highlight reels, with Carlisle noting its potential longevity.
"Luka made one of the signature, special shots that you're going to see for a long time," Carlisle said.
The best part of the shot may be something Doncic revealed postgame, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.
Luka Doncic says he doesn’t think he even got a look at the rim before he let go of his game-winner. “I was really surprised when it went in. Those are the best feelings.”
Doncic's 29 points led all scorers in the one-point win, which allowed the Mavs to improve to 30-24. They'll return to the court Friday at home against the New York Knicks.
Luka Doncic's Buzzer-Beating 3-Pointer Gives Mavericks Win vs. Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Apr 15, 2021
MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 14: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies embrace during the game on April 14, 2021 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Take a bow, Luka Doncic.
Just when it seems like there's nothing else the Dallas Mavericks superstar can do to impress, he dazzles with another memorable play. On Wednesday, it was a stumbling, off-balance three at the buzzer to give his team a dramatic 114-113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.
Dallas was down two on its final possession only because Grayson Allen missed two free throws on the other end that could have iced it.
Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the victors, while solid showings from Allen, Ja Morant and Jonas Valanciunas were not enough for the Grizzlies.
This was a chance for Doncic to make a statement, and did he ever.
Not only has he been one of the hottest players in the league with 25 or more points in 13 of his last 15 games, but he figures to be the best player on the floor in any potential play-in tournament matchup between the Grizzlies and Mavericks.
Memphis had other ideas in the early going, though, and held the two-time All-Star to four points in the first half. Doncic helped make up for his lack of scoring with seven dimes as he looked to facilitate with so much additional defensive attention directed his way, but the Mavericks were still trailing at intermission.
Porzingis kept Dallas within striking distance while Doncic was relatively quiet, and Dwight Powell and Tim Hardaway Jr. provided a spark off the bench.
Still, the only way the Mavericks were going to steal a win on the road was if Luka woke up as a scorer, and he did just that with 14 points in the third quarter.
He then mixed in a step-back off one foot and a key triple in the fourth, while backcourt mate Jalen Brunson dished out six assists in the quarter to keep the team close. One of those assists came on a Dorian Finney-Smith three to tie the game with fewer than four minutes remaining, which is all the help Doncic needed to take over in crunch time.
The two-time All-Star assisted a Porzingis basket, drove to the rim for a layup, hit a free throw and drilled the dagger to turn a five-point deficit into a stunning win in the final 62 seconds.
Grizzlies' Collapse Spoils Balanced Effort
Memphis' path to victory in Wednesday's contest needed to start on the offensive side.
After all, Morant was the only Grizzlies player to score more than 12 points in his team's February loss to the Mavericks. The team as a whole shot just 39.4 percent from the field and 19.4 percent from three, which is almost never going to cut it at the NBA level.
if you a grizz fan & you're bashing any of my teammates. go cheer for another team. 💯 boys played their ass off tonight. the reason we were in position to win the game.
No @NBA player has more point-rebound double-doubles this season than Jonas Valančiūnas (40).@JValanciunas' 40th double-double, recorded tonight, represents a new single-season career high (39 in 2019-20). pic.twitter.com/xIeYUzlZD5
The Duke product caught fire from deep in the early going and poured in 17 points in the first half. He was the only Memphis player in double figures by intermission, although Morant sliced through the defense multiple times while getting into the lane and Dillon Brooks aggressively sought out his shot.
The Grizzlies extended their lead in the third as Morant flew out in transition for a dunk, Valanciunas completed a double-double by battling in the paint and Desmond Bane provided outside shooting off the bench, including a triple on a Morant assist in the last five seconds of the quarter.
It looked to be more of the same in the fourth with Bane facilitating, Allen hitting another three and Valanciunas continuing to pound the offensive glass. He finished with eight offensive rebounds and both kept possessions alive and scored himself.
The game looked all but over when Morant found Valanciunas with a beautiful assist and Kyle Anderson hit a three to push the lead to five, but the Grizzlies didn't score a single field goal in the final two minutes and saw their otherwise stellar effort slip away when Allen missed those free throws.
What's Next?
Both teams play Friday when the Mavericks host the New York Knicks and the Grizzlies visit the Chicago Bulls.
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