NBA

NBA Finals: Doncic’s triple-double not enough as Dallas dented again in Game 2

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks looks to pass the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 9,...

Luka Doncic produced a 32-point triple double during Sunday’s Game 2 showing for Dallas, though coughed up eight turnovers – Boston had 10 as a team – and missed four of eight free-throw attempts, pointing to those two factors as a key reason behind their 105-98 defeat. While it’s natural for their franchise centrepiece to absorb blame, their shortcomings are much deeper than that.
Continue reading “NBA Finals: Doncic’s triple-double not enough as Dallas dented again in Game 2”

NBA

Luka Doncic’s sharpened focus sees Dallas regain series lead in Oklahoma, now 3-2 up

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second...

After a disappointing two-game home stint, Dallas Mavericks’ superstar Luka Doncic rebounded with a big Game 5 showing in Oklahoma – a 31-point triple-double – as Jason Kidd’s side regained a slender series lead and can now clinch a WCF berth this weekend among home comforts vs. the West’s #1-ranked team. Continue reading “Luka Doncic’s sharpened focus sees Dallas regain series lead in Oklahoma, now 3-2 up”

NBA

Doncic gets his long-awaited wish as Dallas do trade deadline day business

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is congratulated by P.J. Washington after a score during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at...

Dallas Mavericks’ franchise star Luka Doncic had long wanted a back-up center to better compliment his game and in new deadline day trade acquisition Daniel Gafford, the perennial All-Star guard finally has one. Elsewhere the Mavs made a shrewd acquisition to acquire PJ Washington from an uncertain situation across conferences in Charlotte, as they continue bolstering their backcourt. Continue reading “Doncic gets his long-awaited wish as Dallas do trade deadline day business”

NBA

As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel

Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors listens to assistant coaches Rex Kalamian and Nick Nurse against the Portland Trail Blazers during NBA...

As is often the case come playoff time, there are many storylines and prospective scenarios that can play out a variety of ways over the postseason – with subsequent front office decisions often riding on the success or failure of a franchise or specific players in certain areas. This year is no different. Continue reading “As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel”

NBA

Mavericks 122-124 Pacers: Missed crunch-time shots prove costly as Haliburton ascends

Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball against Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at American Airlines Center on...

Luka Doncic led all scorers with 39 points but in the battle of two All-Star birthday boys, Tyrese Haliburton had the last laugh. The 23-year-old reeled off an efficient 32-point display, complete with seven rebounds, six assists and a sneaky block on Kyrie Irving – who missed a go-ahead stepback three late, as the Mavs were resigned to an alarming fifth defeat in their last six games. Continue reading “Mavericks 122-124 Pacers: Missed crunch-time shots prove costly as Haliburton ascends”

NBA

Worth the gamble? Dallas Mavericks’ trade for unsettled Irving raises big questions for both

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks in action against Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on October 27, 2022 in New York City. The...

Overnight, news emerged that the Dallas Mavericks agreed a trade package to acquire wantaway star guard Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets, a few days after his trade request. Given their lofty ambitions to build a true championship contender around franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic, the effort is commendable but will this move age well in the long run? Continue reading “Worth the gamble? Dallas Mavericks’ trade for unsettled Irving raises big questions for both”

NBA

Given historical trends, Jason Kidd’s concerns about the Luka Doncic usage rate are natural

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks stands on the court during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 12, 2022 at the American...

Luka Doncic continued his excellent start to the campaign with a 42-point triple-double helping Dallas eventually overwhelm Portland with a 117-112 victory on Saturday night. With one of the highest usage rates in NBA history, and considering the conundrum which his Mavericks team still haven’t yet solved surrounding the supporting cast, Jason Kidd’s public concerns make sense for a 23-year-old they don’t want to burnout before it matters most in the postseason. Continue reading “Given historical trends, Jason Kidd’s concerns about the Luka Doncic usage rate are natural”

NBA

Conference Finals set after Celtics, Mavericks dominate their respective Game 7 duels

Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics reacts during the fourth quarter in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals against...

With their Game 1 clash vs. the Miami Heat set for tip-off in a few hours’ time, here’s a quick refresh: Boston Celtics, armed by a new career-high display from Grant Williams, overcame a 3-2 series deficit to knock out the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Hours later, Dallas did similar but in enemy territory, stunning the Phoenix Suns in a historic blowout win. Continue reading “Conference Finals set after Celtics, Mavericks dominate their respective Game 7 duels”