Mavs 113, Celtics 108

[mavsluvr]

This will be the first time that I really criticize Luka. You might think I'm crazy after he had 36 points on ridiculous shooting, but hear me out: He had, I think, 5 assists to 8 turnovers, which is bad by itself. Moreover, he player hero ball for most of the game. In my opinion, he struggled MIGHTILY against the double-teaming of the Celtics, again. I said it the last time again Boston that I think Stevens is spot on in the way he defends Luka.

Sure, not every team has defensive guards like Smart and Brown to put on Luka and throw effective double-teams at him for almost 48 minutes, but this type of competition is what he'll face in the playoffs or critical games and moments in general. He HAS to be able to do better than dribble the ball for 22 seconds and heave a step-back-three with the time running out or committing a turnover. Yes, fortunately the kid is a genius and hit some RIDICULOUSLY difficult shots but I mean come on, we can't bank on that. If Luka had not been this hot lately, this might have been the worst game of his career statistically.

I don't know if I am being crazy because I want this team to work and be successfull but even in the first half it was painfully obvious to me, how Luka broke KP's great rhythm to start the game, by constantly ignoring him, even whilst open, and hoisting step-back-threes instead. Like I said, he made them but is still annoyed me somewhat. That's not good basketball, in my opinion. I know I keep reading into KP's and Luka's demeanor but this just can't be right. Something is brewing there. I can't imagine all the other players can really like that kind of basketball.

Thanks, meister. 


I might not be as down on Luka's performance as you are, but I agree that he had significant problems with the double-teams. Partly in the sense of actually dealing with the doubles, and partly in the sense of maybe getting a little rattled and that affecting him on other plays. 

I like to take an upbeat slant in the recap after wins, so tend to let some of these nuanced issues pass by in victories unless someone brings them up. Since you have raised this one, I have been worried for a while now about the team's extreme dependence on Luka, and what they are going to do when teams make it a priority to shut him down in the playoffs. I think this game constitutes a dress rehearsal for that kind of effort, and the team, I regret to report, did not pass with flying colors. 

It is possible that Redick will help a little with resisting that sort of game plan, since, by all accounts, he still reliably draws off a defender. However, I'm not thinking that will have a huge impact, since Redick's defensive issues may prevent him from being used very much in the post-season. 

I am also afraid that there will be a limit to how much Brunson can stay on the floor in the playoffs, due to his size and the defensive issues that causes against bigger teams. The team is in woeful need of another playmaker who can score, but that may be a hole they are stuck with for this season. I hope they don't have to take KP off the floor in important stretches because he can't guard anybody, or at least the coach thinks he can't. Yikes!