So the Mavericks are 19-8 in clutch games this season, situations when the score is within five points with five minutes or less to go.
That’s the No. 1 record in the NBA.
And it bodes well for the rest of the regular season and whatever awaits the Mavericks in the postseason. They may or may not have to survive the play-in tournament, but what they’ve done in going 5-1 since March 6 is ensure that they are going to be playing past Game 82 and cultivate some chemistry and momentum at just the right time.
The fact that Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving have had their longest run of games played together since they joined forces last season hasn’t hurt the process. They played 17 games in a row before Luka missed Thursday’s game in Oklahoma City.
“It looks good, right?” Irving said. “Now that we got a sample size everybody can judge off of – it feels good to play that amount of games and get a feel for one another. We got a great chemistry.”
What’s most evident is that they aren’t stepping on each other’s toes. But they still are putting up massive individual numbers, each in their own way.
And what makes the recent successes more impressive is that they come during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, spirituality and reflection that began on March 11.
It requires no food or drink from sunrise to sunset.
During afternoon games like Sunday’s, it’s a challenge, for sure.
“Ramadan is a special time,” Irving said after Sunday’s game. “You try not to think about the suffering too much and focus on the journey with God and the path you’re on. Stay focused on that and stay disciplined. It’s a difficult journey.
“And to be able to play 48 minutes and do it not having a drink or anything in my stomach, it’s nothing short of a miracle. There’s definitely a universal god out there protecting me.”
Irving isn’t the first to observe Ramadan in the NBA. Hakeem Olajuwon, during the Houston Rockets’ glory years, would avoid water during afternoon games. He typically broke his fast just before tipoff of night games, but would not have a big meal until after the game.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it,” Dončić said. “It’s impressive, man.”
Ramadan concludes on April 8.
Briefly: The Mavericks used Monday as a recovery/training day before jetting to San Antonio, where they will face the Spurs on Tuesday (7 p.m. tip). After Thursday’s home game against Utah, the Mavericks hit the road for five games, including the make-up game with Golden State in San Francisco on April 2. That is the game that was postponed when Warriors’ assistant coach Dejan Milojevic passed away . . . Irving had this to say when asked about what the Mavericks have learned about themselves in recent weeks: “Whether the game looks really good in the beginning or it’s ugly, we have to build that resiliency and also persevere through tough times. We’re learning through our adversity. We’re not satisfied at all. Every single day is a chance to get better and enjoy the journey. We’re going to make shots sometimes and blow teams out and other times we’re going to be in some tough battles. We just got to be ready to battle for 48 minutes and live with the results. No fear.” . . . The Mavericks will be without Josh Green (sprained right ankle) against the Spurs, but hope to have everybody else available with the exception of players on G League assignment.
X: @ESefko
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