- LUKA CONTINUES TO AMAZE: Yes, this is going to sound like a broken record. But that’s a good thing, because what Luka Dncic is doing right before our eyes is extraordinary. Against the Warriors, Doncic picked up his second straight triple-double and seventh of the season by finishing the game with 35 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. And he played just 26 minutes. It’s the only 30-point triple-double in the fewest minutes in NBA history. Plus, Doncic left the game for good with 3:39 to go in the third quarter. Can you imagine what would have transpired had he played his customary third- and fourth-quarter minutes? A 50-point triple-double, perhaps? Anyway, Doncic was 11-of-18 from the field and 6-of-10 from beyond the 3-point arc and ended the game with a staggering plus/minus of plus 45.
2. LUKA’S HISTORIC RUN: Every time Luka Doncic steps on the court, it seems as though everybody wants to find out where Doncic’s latest accomplishments rank among the NBA greats. For instant, over the last 10 games Doncic is averaging an astonishing 31.9 points, 11.4 rebounds and 10.5 assists. The only other players in NBA history to average a 30-point triple-double during a 10-game span are Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson, and future Hall of Famers LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. What’s more, the 33 points Doncic tallied in the first half against the Warriors were just one point shy of the Mavs’ franchise record of 34 points future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki scored in the second half of a Nov. 3, 2009 home game against Utah.
- LUKA BUSTED OUT OF THE GATE WITH FIRE IN HIS EYES: I’m not sure what Luka Doncic ate for a pregame meal Wednesday. But the way he was munching on the Warriors, he may want to eat that same meal before every game. In the first quarter alone, Doncc outscored the Warriors (22-16), outrebounded the Warriors (5-4), made more 3-pointers than the Warriors (5-0), converted more free throws than the Warriors (3-2), had more assists than the Warriors (5-4), and made as many field goals as the Warriors (7-7). And yes, Doncic poured in as many points (22-22) as the rest of the Mavs scored in the first quarter. The 22 points are the most Doncic has ever scored in one quarter in his brief NBA career, topping the 17 points he scored this past Monday during a 117-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
- PORZINGIS VERY PRODUCTIVE: With all the hoopla surround Luka Doncic, players like Kristaps Porzingis has been somehow overlooked. But Porzingis has been making enormous strides over the past few games. Against the Warriors, Porzingis scored 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked a pair of shots. It’s the fifth double-double of the season for Porzingis, and marks the first time in his career that he’s produced four straight double-doubles. It also was the seventh game this season where Porzingis has blocked at least two shots. Porzingis was 6-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-5 from 3-point territory. This is the seventh game where he’s made at least a pair of 3-point baskets. Porzingis’ ability to stretch the defense is what makes the Mavs such a viable threat to make the playoffs this season.
- PERFECT GAME: Wednesday was the Mavs’ most complete game of the season. The Mavs won by their largest margin of victory of the season (48 points), they tied the franchise record for 3-pointers made (22), and they produced a whopping 33 assists. In producing their widest margin of victory ever over the Warriors, the Mavs were equally red hot from the field (56.3 percent) and from 3-point range (57.9 percent). With five players collecting at least five rebounds, the Mavs also dominated the boards, 50-33. And with Jalen Brunson (15 points, five rebounds, five assists), Courtney Lee (12 points, 4 -of-4 on 3-pointers), and Boban Marjanovic (10 points, six boards) dominant off the bench, the Mavs’ bench outscored their Golden State counterparts, 62-33. This indeed was the kind of game the Mavs wish they could bottle.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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