We all know Luka Dončić is a megastar.
What we also know – because the numbers tell us so –is that he will be seeing on Tuesday night the one team he has yet to truly master.
The crazy run that Dončić is on will be put to the test when the Mavericks visit the Miami Heat Tuesday night (6:30 p.m. tip).
How so? Because in seven career meetings against the Heat, he has averaged 20.7 points. That’s not only his lowest production against any NBA team, it’s nearly 2 points lower than his 22.4 point average against the Los Angeles Lakers, who have been the next-toughest opponent on Dončić.
So Tuesday night will be an acid test of sorts for Luka’s sizzling stretch over the last six weeks, when he has averaged 29.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists. He also has seven triple doubles sprinkled in those 20 games.
And, by the way, he’s had 96 points in the last two games, the most by any Maverick in back-to-back games. Luka had 90 in a pair of games last February and Mark Aguirre had 87 in consecutive games in 1985.
So, clearly, Luka is on the kind of crushing roll that is rare – and fun to watch. And he has had some flashy games against the Heat. He had 33 points in the 15-point loss earlier this season at American Airlines Center (though only five assists and three rebounds). And his numbers are skewed a bit against the Heat because he got injured after just two minutes in a game during his second season.
But, nevertheless, the Heat have been hard to handle and Luka knows it may require him leaning more on his teammates.
“I mean, yeah, always,” he said after Saturday’s loss to the LA Clippers when asked if he feels the need to take over games whenever possible. “But sometimes, teams double me, especially in the fourth (quarter), and somebody else has to make shots.”
Miami is one of those defensive-minded teams that will likely try to get the ball out of Dončić’s hands, if not early then certainly if the game is on the line at crunch time.
In addition to being the top 3-point shooting team in the league, the Heat also have an overall defensive rating (sixth) similar to the Mavericks (fifth).
So it’s not going to be a picnic at the office for any of the Mavericks, least of all Dončić.
That’s why this could be set up for a big night for other Mavericks such as Reggie Bullock, Jalen Brunson or Dorian Finney-Smith.
“He can find guys,” coach Jason Kidd said of Luka. “The responsibility of his teammates is to make shots. This is a make-miss league. If you make shots, you put yourself in a position to win.
“That doesn’t guarantee you can win. You’ve got to play defense on the other end, too.”
Newcomers’ debut: Barring something unforeseen, the two new Mavericks will see their first action in a Dallas uniform on Tuesday.
Guard Spencer Dinwiddie and forward Dāvis Bertāns were acquired in the Kristaps Porzingis trade just before last week’s deadline. Both were in Dallas on Saturday, but did not suit up against the Clippers.
“Both will come off the bench for us,” Kidd said. “So hopefully it makes our depth better and our team stronger. I look for them to help us win games.”
Kidd said he’s also learned quickly that both Dinwiddie and Bertāns are talkative sorts, which should play well on the defensive end of the court as well as supporting from the sideline.
“Joining a team in midseason, a team that’s been doing good, it’s just help in any way the coaching staff sees,” said Bertāns about how he views his role. “I know my strengths. I haven’t played much in the last month or so. I’ve had a lot of time to practice. I think the shooting is there.
“I can definitely help guys like Luka, Jalen, Spencer with spacing and helping them offensively. And they’re definitely the type of players that can help me with shooting. I feel like it’s going to be a good relationship on and off the court.”
Honoring former Mavs’ coach: Sonny Allen, one of the Mavericks’ assistant coaches from the ‘90s and former SMU coach of the ‘70s, will be honored Thursday in Virginia during the Old Dominion-Marshall basketball game.
Allen, who passed away Sept. 11, 2020, is in this year’s class of inductees to the Virginia sports hall of fame and will be celebrated by family, friends and the general assembly of Virginia.
The celebration was set to happen nearly two years ago. The pandemic forced a postponement, But Allen always said he didn’t want a big funeral service, but would rather have his family gather and enjoy time with each other.
On Thursday, that will happen.
“ODU is where it all began, Jackie Eldrenkamp, one of Allen’s six children and stepchildren told ODUSports.com. “It just feels right to come celebrate dad with our ODU family.”
All of Allen’s family, including son Billy who played for him at SMU and still lives in the Dallas area.
Allen coached ODU to a national championship and was the coach who integrated the basketball program when he was there from 1965-75. He coached at SMU from 1975-80 and also coached at Nevada.
After leaving the Mavericks in 1996 he landed in the WNBA as head coach of the Sacramento Monarchs.
The game Thursday will be televised at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Twitter: @ESefko
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