Luka Doncic’s Mavs: 1 All-Star Goal Before ‘Sprint' to Playoffs
SALT LAKE CITY — The Dallas Mavericks used the final five games of their schedule before the NBA All-Star break to adjust after acquiring Kyrie Irving in a blockbuster trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
With Luka Doncic being sidelined for Irving's first two games with the Mavs, there was a limited opportunity to establish on-court chemistry. With the impact of weather and travel, the superstar duo has yet to have the chance to go through a full practice together. They have only had one shootaround together due to the weather in Denver, making the shootaround non-mandatory.
There will likely be an opportunity for Doncic and Irving to practice together before returning to game action out of the break. However, in the meantime, the All-Star break will be a helpful chance for all players on the team to rest and recover.
The All-Star break is a prime opportunity for players to recharge after playing the bulk of the regular season load..It's beneficial to get some rest for Doncic, who recently returned from a heel contusion.
“On the break, for me, I’ve got to get a little more healthier,” Doncic said. “And just relax a little bit and have some rest.”
The Mavs' coaching staff often preaches that the 82-game regular season is a "marathon" and not a "sprint." However, coming out of the break, the Mavs are reaching the intense part of the schedule.
“So get some rest, and then it turns into a sprint,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “We will start to play a lot more of the Western Conference teams ahead of us or behind us, so just to be ready for that sprint.”
The objective is clear for the players coming out of the break. They play six games at the American Airlines Center after mostly spending the pre-All-Star break portion of their February schedule on the road. Getting back on track by setting the tone at home will go a long way in maximizing their seeding outlook.
“We need to come back with a new clear mind,” Mavs center Christian Wood told Mavs.com. “We have six home games coming right back, so we’re trying to win every single one of those because we need the homecourt advantage when it comes to playoff time.”
Among the factors that should benefit the Mavs is the looming return of Maxi Kleber. The team's top defensive anchor and switching option in the frontcourt has been sidelined since Dec. 12 due to a torn hamstring. He is expected to return after the All-Star break. For a team that sorely has lacked in defensive execution, his presence will prove to be helpful, in addition to being a stretch-five option on offense.
“Maxi being our defensive anchor, he’s been with this team since he got in the NBA (in 2014),” Wood said. “I think me and Maxi have been perfect together. He’s a complement to me and I’m a complement to him."
Wood explained further: “With him being able to play defense – he’s a bigger (center) — with him being able to stretch the floor and me being able to space the floor for Luka and Kyrie, it’s going to be interesting.”
Despite entering the All-Star break on a three-game losing streak, Doncic described his confidence level in his team as being high. He is especially encouraged by Kleber's impending return from injury, which Doncic feels will make the Mavs a major threat for the rest of the NBA to solve for.
“A lot of people forget our best defender has been out for like 30 games now,” Doncic said of Kleber. “But I think when we’re fully healthy, we have a dangerous team.”
The Mavs return to action on Feb. 23 when they take on the San Antonio Spurs.
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