Dinwiddie’s hot hand heads the takeaways from loss to Wizards

WASHINGTON – A terrible trend has occurred recently that the Dallas Mavericks would like to quickly put in their rearview mirror.

Earlier this season the Mavs lost to a New Orleans Pelicans’ squad that was without leading scorers Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. On Wednesday the Mavs lost to Orlando without rookie sensation and leading scorer Paolo Banchero.

And on Thursday they lost, 113-105, to the Washington Wizards’ without their leading scorers —  Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. In other words, those are three games the Mavs hope will not cost them down the road when the Western Conference playoffs roll around.

“I think the worst thing is allowing teams that are short-handed – or, aren’t necessarily the greatest, obviously — to put up points and put up big numbers,” guard Spencer Dinwiddie said. “I think that’s more the concerning thing.”

The Mavs hope to buck their ugly trend Saturday when they open a five-game homestand against Portland.

Here are the three takeaways from the 113-105 loss to the Wizards.

DINWIDDIE LED THE WAY – AGAIN: For the second game in as many nights, guard Spencer Dinwiddie stepped up big-time for the Mavs. One night after scoring 29 points on 9-of-19 shooting against Orlando, Dinwiddie scored a season-high 33 points on 11-of-17 shooting against the Wizards. That includes converting 7-of-12 baskets from behind the three-point stripe, and adding six assists.

DONCIC STRUGGLES – AGAIN: For the second game in as many nights, point guard Luka Doncic struggled on the court. One night after scoring 24 points on 9-of-29 shooting against Orlando, Doncic scored a season-low 22 points on 8-of-21 shooting against the Wizards. That includes converting 3-of-9 baskets from the charity stripe. Doncic also contributed nine rebounds, six assists and two steals.

SECOND HALF WOES – AGAIN: For the second game in as many nights, the Mavs had problems putting the ball in the basket in the second half. One night after scoring just 33 points in the second half against Orlando, the Mavs only scored 44 points in the second half against the Wizards. The Mavs were 12-of-39 from the field in the second half against Orlando, and 14-of-39 from the floor in the second half against the Wizards.

Twitter: @DwainPrice