Here are my 5 takeaways from the Dallas Mavericks’ 114-103 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at the STAPLES Center:
1. ROAD TRIP ENDED ON SOUR NOTE: This two-game road trip started with a 20-point win in Houston, but ended with an 11-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavs only shot 39.5 percent from the field and 25.6 percent from 3-point range (10-of-39) against the Lakers. They also turned the ball over 16 times, missed nine free throws and were outrebounded by a slim 47-46 margin. Additionally, the Mavs had some tough calls that went against them, and they were obviously bothered by it. The Mavs were whistled for four technical fouls, including three in less than six minutes in the fourth quarter. J. J. Barea received an automatic ejection after he was tagged for his second technical foul – while he was on the bench. In all, the Lakers attempted 16 free throws in the fourth quarter.
2. LUKA HAD AN OFF-NIGHT: OK, so Luka Doncic didn’t have his usual Luka-like game. Get over it! It happens to anyone who dons a jersey. Actually, it happens to you, I and everyone who walks this earth. I’m sure you can recall all those days you went to work and you had a bad day. Try as they might, no one is “on” all the time. It’s impossible to do. With that said, Doncic was 2-of-13 from the field – 0-of-5 from 3-point territory – and tallied a season-low six points in 32 minutes. But he did chip in with six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks near the rim on LeBron James. He also took a charge from James. By the way, James said he charged into Doncic “on purpose.” I’m not sure why he did that, but after the game that’s what he said.
3. BARNES BACK ON TARGET: Harrison Barnes continues to show that he’s completely over the right hamstring strain that forced him to miss most of training camp, sit out the four preseason games and the first four regular season games. Barnes tallied a season-high 29 points on 9-of-17 shooting and also was 4-of-6 from behind the 3-point line. The Mavs appeared to dial Barnes’ number and feature him on the box a bit more that usual, and he delivered. In addition, when the Mavs flew out of the gate and darted to a 32-22 lead after the first quarter, it was Barnes who led the charge with 13 points. That includes converting 3-of-5 baskets from 3-point territory. Overall, Barnes also added five rebounds, two assists and pair of steals to his impressive 34-minute performance.
4. POWELL RETURNED TO FORM: In just his second game back after missing three games with a left knee effusion, Dwight Powell was his old self again. That means he was sprinting up and down the court, diving for loose balls and creating havoc around the basket while making his presence felt. Overall, Powell was a point-a-minute man against the Lakers as he popped in 17 points – two points shy of season high — in 17 minutes on 5-of-9 shots. He also grabbed seven rebounds and proved once again that he is the perfect change-of-pace backup to starting center DeAndre Jordan, who collected eight points and a game-tying 12 rebounds. Powell helped stabilize the Mavs’ second unit as the Dallas reserves fought its Laker counterparts to a 36-36 stalemate in the scoring department.
5. CHANDLER HURTS HIS FORMER TEAM: When the Mavs lost to the Lakers on Halloween, Lakers center JaVale McGee erupted for 16 points, a season-high 15 rebounds and five blocked shots. However, the Mavs were able to neutralize McGee on Friday as he fouled out with 11:28 remaining in the game and finished with just six points, seven rebounds and one blocked shot. But unfortunately for the Mavs, someone they’re very familiar with came back to haunt them. Former Mavs center Tyson Chandler came off the bench to replace McGee and scored 13 points while making all six of his field goals. He also snatched a season-high tying 12 rebounds, including a game-high five offensive boards while playing 22 minutes. Chandler, of course, was a key figure on the Mavs’ squad that won the 2011 NBA title.
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