LOS ANGELEs -- The Mavericks won in overtime in Denver last night propelled Luka Doncic’s 38-point near triple-double. At face value, it’s a solid road win but is it a sign of deeper significance?
Last season, Dallas struggled to finish games:
3-4 in OT games last year
1-0 this year
35-11 when leading after the Q3 last year
3-0 this year
17-24 in clutch games
1-2 this year
2-11 in games decided by 3 points or less last year
0-0 this year
The Mavericks are off to a 4-4 start and are playing 11 of their first 16 games on the road so don’t fret the early turbulence.
While their league-leading offensive rating last year has dropped to 16th, Kristaps Porzingis is expected back soon and their bench is averaging 40 points per game.
Here’s good news -- Dallas is tenth in defensive rating up from 18th a season ago and just a side note -- the NBA has seen only two champions outside of the top ten in defensive efficiency in the last 20 years. This is an area you have to be in if you’re serious about winning.
The offense will be fine. Ultimately, the Mavs ability to contest in the West will boil down to their defense and ability to close out games like last night.
