Luka Doncic remembered what he loved about basketball right when the Mavs needed it. With a triple double, he led the Dallas Mavericks into a 3-2 lead over the OKC Thunder in the NBA playoffs
This was the game where Luka Doncic remembered that Vassilis Spanoulis is his inspiration. The Mavs star was relaxed and dominant in a performance that reminded us all just who he is.
A reminder to the doubters
The days, both of them, between Games 4 and 5 were full of essentially one topic. What on earth was going on with Luka Doncic? Throughout this series between the Dallas Mavericks and the OKC Thunder, he’d not been in a good mood.
The talk, both from pundits and fans, was about him complaining too much. The Mavs star was far too worried about the refs. He was complaining about calls. It was not exactly a display full of joy.
Doncic reminded everyone in the NBA who he was in Game 5. His triple double was also his most efficient display of the postseason so far. Most notably, Doncic went 5 of 11 from deep despite having horrid issues with the three ball up to now. It was one of his misses however that showed the full extent of his confidence. A logo three attempt rimmed out barely but that Doncic felt comfortable rather than desperate just going for it was a positive sign.
Representing one gangsta in style
The story is well-written. Luka Doncic wears 77 because his idol, Vassilis Spanoulis, wore 7. Spanoulis was the most feared man in elimination games in Europe throughout his career. Late in a game and it’s close, the ball would inevitably end up in his hands. More often than not, Spanoulis found a way.
Crucially, despite having a fiery sense to him, Spanoulis let it all be about basketball. He never let himself get overly distracted by the other pieces. That’s what we saw in Game 5. Doncic was playing as though the OKC Thunder just happened to be there. While free throws were in short supply for most of the Mavs, although not Luka, there was little complaining. He just got to work.
This is the version of Doncic the Mavericks need. While a deep NBA playoff run was always in this side, it’s not one built to stroll to sweeps. Their superstar putting up big numbers is nice. What’s most important is their superstar just balling out.
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Control is so important
There was no panic here. Watching back the game this morning, even when the OKC Thunder got going the Mavs kept their cool. That began with Luka Doncic setting the tone and leading those around him.
Derrick Jones Jr was the primary beneficiary for the Dallas Mavericks in this instance. Having leaned on PJ Washington and Kyrie Irving through this NBA playoff series, Doncic has worked another man into a key place of assistance.
Step by step. Brick by brick. The Mavs are building here and laying the foundations they need to close out the series. A return to the Western Conference finals would be a huge step in the right direction for this roster. It’s got the quality to do it but many who fail often do. What it is adding is the control.
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Now it’s about tempo
Aside from Luka Doncic looking refreshed and getting a decent break at the end of the game, the biggest positive for the Dallas Mavericks was the flow of the game. The Mavs didn’t have to force it too much yet they still made sure the OKC Thunder were following and not leading on the floor.
The Mavs have spent so much of these NBA playoffs fighting from underneath. The opponents only get bigger and badder from here. That includes the current opponent, who will be in survival mode next time out. That puts the onus on Doncic and company to change up their game once again.
Force the opponent to force things. It really is that simple. We saw it in Game 5 as it often looked like Shai Gilgeous Alexander was the one leading the more exhausted unit out there. This fight is not over but the Mavs now set the terms of how it ends. Don’t get comfortable. Get it done.
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