It’s a grim actuality, however generally giving your greatest nonetheless isn’t sufficient. Simply ask Luka Doncic, who put up 45 factors, 12 rebounds and eight assists in Sport 1 of the second-round in opposition to the Phoenix Suns on Monday, and nonetheless misplaced the sport.
Doncic’s particular person brilliance did preserve Dallas inside arm’s attain. He nearly single-handedly lowered a 21-point deficit to single digits. However his two most gifted teammates couldn’t get it going, with Jalen Brunson scoring 13 factors on 6-16 capturing and Spencer Dinwiddie registering 8 factors on 3-8 capturing.
The Mavericks’ issues didn’t finish there. They have been worse on the defensive finish, giving up 69 factors within the first half and 96 factors over the primary three quarters.
“Our defence misplaced us the sport immediately,” Doncic stated postgame. “I feel our begin on the defensive finish was horrible, and we’ve bought to alter that. I don’t assume the offence was the issue immediately. I feel on the defensive finish, all people was a bit bit lazy… I do know we will play higher defence, and I do know we are going to.”
Doncic added that poor communication was one other weak level all through the night time.
“The communication wasn’t good in any respect immediately, particularly within the first half,” he stated. “It’s a loud constructing man, the followers are very loud so it’s going to be powerful. I feel we’ve simply bought to be extra collectively. Tomorrow we’ll stroll by means of and get our defence collectively. However communication goes to be key within the subsequent video games.”
Doncic performed a whopping 44 minutes in Sport 1, however insisted he was feeling higher than he did at any level within the first spherical.
“I really feel good,” he stated when requested about his heavy minutes load in Sport 1. “I used to be far more drained in Utah, I feel due to the altitude. I felt manner higher immediately enjoying all these minutes, and it’s the playoffs you realize, I’m prepared for that.”
As for what comes subsequent on this collection? It was Dorian Finney-Smith who answered that query.
“Don’t overreact,” he stated. “We all know how they’re enjoying us now.”
Sport 2 ideas off in Phoenix on Wednesday.
