Luka Doncic is trending at a historic pace.
Thanks to Wednesday’s 33-point outing during the Dallas Mavericks’ 103-100 victory over the Utah Jazz, Doncic has now scored 30 or more points in this season’s first seven games. The only other player to score at least 30 points in more than seven games to start a season is Wilt Chamberlain.
During the 1962-’63 season, Chamberlain tallied 30 or more points in that year’s first 23 games. That incredible record still stands today, with Doncic approaching a third of the way towards breaking it.
By the way, Doncic was locked in a tie with the incomparable Michael Jordan and others with six games scoring 30 or more points to open the season before he ran roughshod over the Jazz.
“I think it’s special when you talk about MJ (Michael Jordan) and Wilt,” coach Jason Kidd said. “That’s rare air. We get to see that on a nightly basis, so that’s pretty cool. A 23-year old kid that is playing at this level is really, really kind of special and cool to see.
“He can do it in so many ways when you talk about posting up or getting to the basket or shooting the three or shooting the little step-back. It’s really cool to watch and it just shows the focus that he has right now. He’s carrying the team and putting the team in a position to win.”
And with the win over the Jazz, the Mavs have now strung together consecutive victories for the first time this season and are also over .500 for the first time this season at 4-3. Most of that success can be attributed to Doncic, who leads the NBA in scoring at 36.1 points per game while proving to basically be un-guardable.
“Luka is a savant — you know what I mean – in every sense of the word as it applies to basketball,” guard Spencer Dinwiddie said. “Obviously, he’s young and the best is yet to come.
“I think he’s going to set a lot of different records for the Mavs and be in the conversation with the greats and be one of the best in the league for as long as he chooses to play this game. So, it’s an honor to be able to play with a guy that talented.”
The tea leaves favor Doncic extending his 30-plus points scoring streak to start a season. That’s because the last time the Mavs and Raptors met at American Airlines Center back on Jan. 19 of last season, Doncic finished with 41 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists during a 102-98 victory for Dallas.
Doncic, who also is fifth in the league in assists with nine per game, said of his quest for greatness: “I always hear Wilt Chamberlain. He’s always there. It’s crazy.
“(But) I couldn’t be happier just to play basketball and to do my job, and that’s it. I’m just happy to play basketball, and when we win games it’s even better.”
The wins become obviously more fruitful when the Mavs can get production from other players such as Christian Wood — he finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds against Utah – and Dinwiddie, who collected 20 points, five assists and a career-high four steals against the Jazz.
Meanwhile, the Raptors come to town toting a 5-3 record after blowing out the Spurs in San Antonio on Wednesday, 143-100, behind a triple-double from Pascal Siakam, who finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Siakam leads the Raptors with 25.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists, while Gary Trent Jr. averages 20 points, and Scottie Barnes is averaging 15.4 points and 5.6 rebounds.
Also for Toronto, O.G. Anunoby averages 14.1 points and 6.3 boards, Fred VanVleet has put up 13.3 points and distributed 7.7 assists per game, and Chris Boucher is averaging 11.8 points.
Sitting atop the Atlantic Division standings, the Raptors are a rugged defensive team and are second in the league in the fewest points allowed at 105.8 per game. In addition, they have a couple of players with sticky fingers as Anunoby leads the NBA in steals with 2.9 per game and VanVleet is second at 2.5 per outing.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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