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Mavericks Need Every Bit of Luka Doncic's Magic as Playoffs Approach
The Mavs will go as far as their superstar can take them.
The Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets, 125-107, on Sunday night, putting an end to Houston's 11-game winning streak. Luka Doncic had a monstrous stat line of 47 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists in the victory. His greatness can be so overwhelming that we grow numb to seeing those numbers. After all, it is his 10th 40-point double-double of the season. But his Easter performance included a play so ridiculous the NBA world is still in awe 12 hours later — a underhanded finger-roll buzzer-beater from the three-point line.
Yes, you read that right. An underhanded finger-roll buzzer-beater from the three-point line.
That, right there, is what's become known as Luka Magic. It's nearly impossible for us mere mortals to understand how Doncic even considered taking that shot, much less swishing it. An unprecedented combination of why did he do that and how did he do that. Doncic has been doing this sort of thing since he stepped on an NBA court in 2018 and continues to surprise viewers, even as we've grown to expect the unexpected from the Slovenian superstar.
It is also the sort of thing the Mavs are going to need in heavy doses down the stretch. Sunday's win put Dallas in the driver's seat for the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, entering Monday tied with the New Orleans Pelicans in the standings. They are now only two games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 4 seed. However, the franchise is also only two games ahead of Play-In Tournament teams, the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns.
Dallas has two weeks' worth of games left. A good stretch would put it in position for homecourt advantage in the first round of the postseason. A bad stretch would push it to the edge of the playoff picture entirely. The margin for error is razor-thin, and the Mavs need their best player in top form for their final eight games.
In other words, they need Luka to continue doing his thing. Dallas has won seven straight games. In that stretch, the franchise's superstar has averaged 28.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game. The Mavericks may not win every game for the rest of the season, but they have some big ones coming up.
Two of their next three contests come against the Golden State Warriors. The dynasty may be dead but Stephen Curry isn't going to go away quietly. The Dubs, entering Monday 10th in the West, desperately need wins to ensure they don't miss the play-in tournament. Dallas will play the Rockets again next Sunday and Houston isn't far behind Golden State for the last play-in spot so they won't roll over, either. It's going to be a tough stretch and there is a lot at stake.
The Mavericks improved their roster significantly at the trade deadline. They still aren't good enough to reach true contention without Doncic at the top of his game. So while the Mavs shouldn't expect Luka to flip the ball in from 30 feet regularly, they do need as much of his magic as he can muster.
Liam McKeone is an editor at The Big Lead.
