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

NBA Finals: Tatum calm as Boston cruise past Dallas on Porzingis’ return in Game 1

Kristaps Porzingis high fives Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game One of the 2024 NBA...

Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and three blocks in 21 minutes on a memorable return from injury, Conference Finals MVP Jaylen Brown had a 22-point, three-steal and block game as Boston eventually eased beyond a careless Mavericks side struggling with their distance shooting. Jayson Tatum was honest postgame, and that doesn’t bode well for Dallas’ chances going forward…
Continue reading “NBA Finals: Tatum calm as Boston cruise past Dallas on Porzingis’ return in Game 1”

NBA

Gafford’s inspired late showcase on both ends typifies another frenzied Mavs win

Luka Doncic and Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game 3 of the Western...

24 hours after Boston recovered from another deficit to snatch a commanding 3-0 series lead out East, Dallas’ determined defensive efforts down the stretch proved decisive as they joined Joe Mazzulla’s ball club in being one game away from punching their ticket into this season’s NBA Finals – powered by star backcourt Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving alongside an inspired Daniel Gafford. Continue reading “Gafford’s inspired late showcase on both ends typifies another frenzied Mavs win”

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

Kawhi Leonard’s inflamed knee injury leaves him doubtful for Mavericks series

Kawhi Leonard of the LA Clippers smiles during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 12, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE...

LA Clippers’ All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard missed the last eight games of the regular season through inflammation to his surgically repaired right knee and now with the postseason getting underway this weekend, faces a race against time to heal before helping lead his inconsistent Clippers teammates against a familiar foe in MVP candidate Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in R1. Continue reading “Kawhi Leonard’s inflamed knee injury leaves him doubtful for Mavericks series”

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

Relive the action as Luka Doncic’s 50-point showing caps Christmas Day slate in NBA

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks shoots during the fourth quarter of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden on December...

Jalen Brunson led the way with 38 points as the New York Knicks earned a 129-122 win over Milwaukee, while Denver were victorious behind their Jamal Murray-Nikola Jokic tandem once more against the unpredictable Golden State Warriors. Now then, follow the rest of the Christmas Day schedule with me live! Continue reading “Relive the action as Luka Doncic’s 50-point showing caps Christmas Day slate in NBA”

NBA

Giannis’ honesty sheds light on an insatiable goal NBA stars continue battling

Giannis Antetokounmpo calls the game as a referee during the game as part of a promotional event during his visit to China at Beijing Sport...

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s insistence he won’t agree terms on another multiyear extension in Milwaukee next summer, unless he feels everyone’s on the same page and still in championship contention, is another timely reminder that star players’ title window can quickly be rendered finite. The franchises and fans they play for, are more than aware of that – but navigating this is a tricky task. Continue reading “Giannis’ honesty sheds light on an insatiable goal NBA stars continue battling”

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

Mavericks 129-125 Nets: Doncic again decisive, as Dallas slice through Brooklyn in overtime

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles against Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Barclays Center on October 27, 2022...

Luka Doncic produced a 41-point triple-double and only got stronger after a few sequences didn’t go his way in the final minutes of the fourth quarter – turning creator with successive behind-the-back assists for Tim Hardaway Jr and Maxi Kleber as the Dallas Mavericks raced away in overtime, leaving the Brooklyn Nets with a 1-4 record to start the regular season. Continue reading “Mavericks 129-125 Nets: Doncic again decisive, as Dallas slice through Brooklyn in overtime”