The Dallas Mavericks are on a 4-game winning streak and now boast a respectable 7-8 season record. They’re being led in scoring by Luka Doncic at 19.5 ppg, followed by Harrison Barnes at 16.5 ppg, Wesley Matthews at 16.2 ppg, Dennis Smith Jr. at 14.5 ppg and DeAndre Jordan at 10.8 ppg plus 13.2 rpg. Doncic, also contributing 6.6 rpg and 4.2 apg, is having an absolutely fantastic rookie season. Here’s the Dallas Morning News with more:
If you’re looking for a validation of the Mavericks’ defense, remember that Kevin Durant missed seven of his last eight shots (and 15 of 24 overall). And Durant and Klay Thompson both missed midrange shots in the final minute that could have changed the outcome. “Those are shots they can make but our guys worked awful hard wearing on them during the game to make those shots a little more difficult,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “When you work that hard, you get a little luck once in a while like that.” Harrison Barnes has been a good defender and Dorian Finney-Smith always gives his best effort at that end of the court. The Mavericks have limited the four opponents in the winning streak to under 93 points per game. That includes the 68 points that Utah scored on Wednesday, which obviously skews the numbers. But holding three of four teams under 100 and Golden State to 109 rates as a defensive vice-grip these days in the score-fest that is the NBA.
Next up for the Mavs is a road game against the Grizzlies on Monday, followed by a pair of home games against the Nets Wednesday and the Celtics Saturday.