Luka Dončić probably would never say it. But by every indication, he was determined to make a statement on Saturday night.
After Memphis’ MVP candidate Ja Morant poured in 49 points Friday in a win at Houston, it was Luka’s turn to go ballistic on Saturday.
In a home opener that had so many electric elements, Dončić responded with an epic night. He scored or assisted on the Mavericks’ first 20 points as they built a 14-point lead and never looked back to hand the Grizzlies their first loss of the season, 137-96 at American Airlines Center.
The Grizzlies had no answers for Dončić, who finished with 32 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. And, by the way, he didn’t play in the fourth quarter, when the Mavericks could do the basketball equivalent of taking a knee.
But it was the way Dončić did it that was so impressive. He was a monster in the first quarter, when the Mavericks essentially stashed the game in their hip pocket.
He overwhelmed the Grizzlies as the Mavericks beat them four the fourth consecutive time. Last year, the three wins in which Luka played were by a combined 48 points.
This one was a blowout virtually from the jump ball.
The Grizzlies fell to 2-1, while the Mavericks got their first win of the season after losing the opener at Phoenix.
Morant had averaged 41.5 points in the first two games, including the 49-point eruption Friday in a win at Houston. Perhaps the tank was somewhat less than full on Saturday after that showing.
Or perhaps Luka was just super motivated.
“I thought it was a carryover from the last game,” coach Jason Kidd said. “The guys paid attention to the details that we talked about, learned from our mistakes, which happen during a season.
“And Luka and those guys set the tone in the first quarter by paint touches. In the two games, he’s gotten off to a good start in both. Being able to find the open guys. I think he’s mixed up the threes with the paint touches and getting to the rim.
“He’s playing the game at a different level right now.”
And, he had help. The Mavericks got a second consecutive quality game from Christian Wood, who had 25 points and 12 rebounds.
But this was Luka’s party. The evidence was on display early for Dončić. He made a move behind his back in the first quarter while being guarded by Morant that drew oohs and ahhs from the sellout crowd.
It was one of many plays that led to his 21 first-quarter points. And by early in the second quarter, when Luka was taking a breather, the Mavericks stretched their lead to 47-22.
“I don’t know if it was extra juice or that’s just how he plays – going for 20 in quarters,” said Wood. “Maybe he had pep in his step, maybe it’s a regular thing. I would hope so. But it was fun.”
Actually, whether or not it had anything to do with Morant being in the building didn’t matter. Luka said he’s making it a point to get off to faster starts.
“It’s important to start good,” he said. “Last year, a couple games we didn’t start good in the playoffs. That’s why I want to improve that this year.”
Later in the first half, when the Grizzlies were trying to find a stride, Dončić hit JaVale McGee with a laser pass under the basket for a jam and a 51-30 lead.
The Mavericks limited Memphis to 32.4 percent shooting in the first half. By then, the game was pretty much decided. Kidd credited Dončić’s defense.
“You guys can talk about his offense, but I thought his defense was incredible tonight, one of the best defensive performances I saw.”
Luka had a pair of blocks and a pair of steals in addition to his outrageous offensive night.
Both Morant and Dončić are legitimate MVP candidates. But on this night, it was Luka who had the credentials. While the Grizzlies could not slow him down, the Mavericks seemed to have two defenders waiting for Morant wherever he turned.
And the only reason Luka’s numbers didn’t get more outrageous was because Memphis began running two defenders at him whenever he touched the ball.
Sometimes three.
Still, when he scored the first bucket of the third quarter, the Mavericks were up 66-36 and it clearly was not going to be a repeat of the season opener Wednesday in Phoenix, when they squandered a 22-point lead.
The Grizzlies didn’t get any closer than 20 in the second half.
““We harped on it at halftime,” Wood said. “We blew a 20-point lead in Phoenix. We didn’t want that again. Mentally, we were great today.”
And by the fourth, Kidd emptied his bench. Just as he did in last year’s home opener, he played every active player. Last October, it was by design as he wanted everybody to feel like they had a part in the win. This one happened organically.
Twitter: @ESefko
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