GAME 33: DAL (21-12) @ OKC (18-15) | 101-106 loss

[mtrot]

I think what we are seeing is how Luka is about to be defended for the rest of the year.

I don't think I've ever seen teams take a player full court, that aggressively for the whole game very often if any.  I've also not seen a star get beat like that up and down the court and not get more fouls, though.  I will say that.

I don't like this tendency by the officials to settle into allowing Luka to be beat to death.

I agree, the word is now out in the league that it can be effective to bully the Mavs, and Luka in particular when he is bringing up the ball.  Either Rick is going to have to confront the officials over defenses taking liberties with a budding superstar, or the Mavs are going to sometimes have a different player bring the ball up.  Once we get the ball into the half court, it's easy to hand it back off to Luka by use of good picks.