No 'D' in Dallas: Mavs Defense Nonexistent vs. Pacers in Another Disappointing Loss
The Dallas Mavericks had a great chance to start off their six-game homestand 2-0 on Sunday night, but they blew a 27-point lead in what ended as a disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The defensive woes continued on Tuesday, as the Mavs got torched by the Indiana Pacers in a 124-122 loss.
Dallas had been 2-2 against Indiana and former coach Rick Carlisle in the Jason Kidd coaching era, but Carlisle took the lead over his former club in what was an exciting game down the stretch.
Despite having a handful of opportunities to tie or take the lead in the final minute of the game, the Mavs weren't able to get over the hump. Kyrie Irving had the shot at the buzzer -- a step-back 3-pointer -- but it hit unkindly off the iron. Dallas missed its final six shots of the game. Irving finished with 16 points, five rebounds and nine assists while shooting just 7-18 overall and 0-4 from deep.
Luka Doncic, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Tuesday, led the way for the Mavs with 39 points, nine rebounds and six assists on 14-25 shooting from the field and 3-9 shooting from deep, but it wasn't enough to make up for Dallas' matador defense during the majority of the game.
Although the Mavs were able to outscore the Pacers 24-18 in the final period, the 106 points they gave up through the first three quarters proved too much to overcome. The Mavs are now 1-5 since Doncic returned from his heel injury before the All-Star break.
With the loss, the Mavs have now dropped down to seventh-place in the Western Conference standings behind the Golden State Warriors. Dallas is just 1.5 games back of falling out of play-in tournament range altogether.
Next up, the Mavs take on MVP candidate Joel Embiid, James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night at American Airlines Center. The game will be tip-off at 6:30 p.m. CT and will air on TNT.
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