A Few Thoughts on Mavs 114, Lakers 100

[mavsluvr]

Mavs got out to a slow start. Their shots weren't falling and the Lakers were getting everything they wanted. The Lakers were also getting almost every benefit of the doubt from the refs as well. Everyone looked lethargic, which I attribute to the game being played so early. 

It wasn't until Delon and Jackson came into the game and just injected the entire team full of life. Jackson was hitting everything he touched and Wright was slashing, defending, passing, and knocking down his 3's. Even the Boban sub managed to get some momentum with timely rebounds. 

The 3rd quarter was when the Mavs looked like a different team. They came out with a mission, and subsequently took the Lakers lunch money. They met the Lakers physical play with their own strong defense and it spurred just an offensive takeover from the Mavs. Luka WENT OFF! He was struggling early adapting to another trapping style defense (something the Clippers used quite well against him), but in the 3rd he took what the Lakers gave and knocked down shot after shot.

Luka's adaptation was very impressive. After the game, he said that he views basketball as like a chess match. If the opponent is double-teaming him, that means a teammate is open, and he looks for ways to take advantage. He is going to face trapping defenses from all over the league now, and he has shown remarkable creativity in figuring them out. 

It's also extremely important to mention the Mavs use of a 2-3 match up zone. It completely stifled the Lakers. It forced them to choose either Rondo or AD to shoot from range, which we all know how bad that is.

Thanks for mentioning this -- I had meant to include it in the original post. The Mavs broke out their matchup zone in the third quarter, and it was obvious that it is something they have been practicing. It kept the Lakers out of the paint, and forced them to the perimeter, which is not their strength. I love that they have this defense in their arsenal. 

Powell also looked like a different human this quarter. His best game by far this entire year. Totally full of energy and fought for EVERY rebound. Why can't we have this Dwight every night??

It's also interesting to mention how the Lakers totally collapsed right when they stopped getting every single call from the refs. 

All in all, this was a statement win. Mavs fought back and never looked back.