Luka Doncic Shreds Houston Rockets' NBA-Best Defense with 41 Points in Dallas Mavs' Win
On a night where Hall-of-Famer Dirk Nowitzki was on the play-by-play call for the Dallas Mavericks' game against the Houston Rockets, it was fitting that Luka Doncic came out and put up 41 points on a defense that was tied for being the best in the NBA before tip-off.
After falling down by nine points in the third quarter and entering the fourth quarter trailing by four, the Mavs weathered the storm and outscored the Rockets by 10 in the final frame en route to a 121-115 win.
Doncic came into Tuesday's game in a personal slump when it came to his efficiency, as he was shooting just 42.4 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from deep over his last six games. Against the Rockets, his 3-point percentage jump back up, but he shot 15-29 overall and 8-9 from the free-throw line while being a +12 on the night.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic draws the defensive attention of three Houston Rockets defenders.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Although there has been a lot of trash talk over the years between Doncic and Rockets forward Dillon Brooks, dating back to his Memphis Grizzlies days, the four-time All-NBA First Teamer actually enjoys the intensity Brooks brings to the game.
"I love playing against [Brooks]," Doncic said. "I always say I respect him so much for what he does. I like playing against him. It is always fun."
The most impressive part of Doncic's 41-point night is that he did it against arguably the best defense in the league while not committing a single turnover. The Mavs are now 3-0 this season when Doncic doesn't turn the ball over, and it was his second 40-game performance with no turnovers. He put up 49 points in the Mavs' home-opening win against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 27.
Another underrated part of Doncic's game this season has been his defense. Although he probably won't make an All-Defensive Team, he's still participated at a high level on that end of the floor more times than not this season. When your best player is engaged on defense, diving on the floor for loose balls, and forcing missed shots at the rim, it gives the rest of the team a wave of energy.
“Sometimes we take him for granted, and we shouldn't," Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said. "He's about winning, too. It just happens that he's a walking triple-double. Tonight, he had some great looks, but I think he's not looked upon, or you guys haven't really talked about his defense. He's competing defensively. He's taking the challenge.
"But again, when you're that good, someone has to pick at something. Unfortunately, you guys don't see the game totally all the time but he's competing defensively. For him to get on the floor, it just shows that he's all about winning, too.”
The Mavs, who are now 11-6 and third in the Western Conference, will now get a few more days of rest before taking on the depleted 3-13 Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center on Friday. Doncic and company blew out the Grizzlies in Memphis on Oct. 30. Dallas will attempt to string together consecutive wins for the first time in three weeks.
