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EUGENIO MUÑOZ
Updated
A little over two weeks ago, The alarms were going off in the Dallas Mavericks.Luka Doncic, his star and his everything, suffered a strain on the wrist that stopped him and seriously damaged the situation of last year’s Western champion. But this is basketball, and far from diminishing the Mavs, Dallas found its game and when the Real Madrid youth player returned to action, everything went up a notch. Doncic is in MVP mode and the Mavericks want to win the West. His assault on Toronto against the Raptors is a message (118-125).
Toronto Raptors’ Kelly Olynyk (41) drives between Dallas Mavericks’ Quentin Grimes (5) and Luka Doncic (77) during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Saturday, December 7, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
In Toronto, The Mavs went from more to less. They dominated easily at halftime (16 up), and the Raptors grew until they left an even finish in which Dallas did not hesitate. Supported by their duo that solves everything. Doncic left with 30 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in another triple-double. Next to him, Kyrie Irving scored 29. And Klay Thompson joined him, up to 20. The 27 of the talented scorer Gradey Dick was not enough on the Canadian side.
Dallas, thus, places second in the West. They are already a reality. They chain 11 defeated in the last 12 games (they only lost to the Miami Heat at home) and with a great record of 16-8 they continue to chase the Thunder (18-5). They don’t care about the calendar and the accumulation of efforts. “We’re not going to complain. We’ve come as far as we can in the West and we’re going to do the same against the East. But the league can’t complain when players are out when you have a schedule like that,” Jason Kidd said.
But the league can’t complain when players are out when you have a schedule like that.
Jason Kidd
The Mavs continue to rise, largely due to the Doncic phenomenon. Since he solved his physical problems he is in extraterrestrial numbers. With averages of 31 points, 9.5 assists and 10.5 rebounds. Besides of two important pillars: a great success (50% in field goals and 43% in triples) and the defenseby stealing more than three balls per crash.
Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) is fouled by Toronto Raptors’ Davion Mitchell (45) as Raptors’ Gradey Dick (1) defends during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Nathan Denette /The Canadian Press via AP)
Now I’ll have to sit him down
Jason Kidd
And, in the process, it makes history. His triple double in Toronto meant that he placed himself alone as the seventh most signed of all time with 79. He’s right behind… his coach. Because Jason Kidd, when he was wearing shorts, reached 119. “Now I’ll have to sit him down,” joked the former point guard and now Mavericks coach.
