LOS ANGELES, CA – The Dallas Mavericks (9-7) are looking to stop a three game losing streak after falling to the Los Angeles Clippers (10-7) 97-91 on Sunday night.
Luka Doncic has missed his third straight game due to an ankle and knee sprain. The Mavs offense looked like they needed a lot of help without him as a go to on the court.
Kristaps Porzingis and Jalen Brunson led the team, which has been the usual since Doncic has been out. Porzingis led with 25 points and 8 rebounds. Brunson had 20 points and 4 rebounds.
The Mavs issue all season has been their three-point shooting percentage. They started off the season shooting poorly and that trend has continued. They shot a horrible 41 percent from the floor and it got even worse from beyond the arc at 20 percent.
Like the games against the Suns, the Mavs get out to a great first half and fall apart in the second half of the game. They have a hard time closing out games and that has been a trend all season.
The Mavs had a halftime lead but came out and only scored 15 points in the entire third quarter. The third quarter put a dagger in the coffin for the Mavs, they lost by six points and were outscored by 10 points in the third quarter 25-15.
Dallas hasn’t lost any of these three games by double figures which is a good sign considering they are shooting poorly and are without their playmaker Donic. This could mean that Dallas could have potential when Luka returns and if they can get their shooting to turn around.
With that being said the Mavs can not rely on Luka to make or break their team. Porzingis has really shown up after missing those four games due to a lower back injury and Brunson has done well also. As far as everyone else goes, they need to step it up. Dorian Finney-Smith, Reggie Bullock, and Tim Hardaway Jr. only combined for 15 points all together in Sunday night’s matchup. That needs to improve if they want to see some victories.
This will be the Mavs last away game before heading home for a week off for the Holidays. Dallas will be back at home Saturday, November 27th to take on the Wizards at 7:30 P.M.
Tip off time tomorrow is 9:30 P.M.
