Rewind

Los Angeles 107, Dallas 97

In their only trip to Dallas, the Lakers were without LeBron James, but it didn’t matter for their young core. Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram combined for 50 points to hand the Mavs their fourth home loss of the season.

Stat of the Game: The Mavericks recorded just 12 assists

Mavs Box: Luka Doncic finished with 27 points while Barnes, Barea and Smith Jr. finished with 11 points each. DeAndre Jordan recorded another double-double with 10 points and 19 rebounds.

Out: N/A

Dallas 104, Phoenix 94

Still without Devin Booker, the Suns traveled to Dallas with the number one overall pick in the draft in Deandre Ayton. Unable to get Ayton going, the Suns had trouble containing the starting unit for the Mavs as they lost another one on the road.

Stat of the Game: The Mavericks attempted 45 free throws.

Mavs Box: Doncic finished with 30 points, five assists and five rebounds while Harrison Barnes added 17 points of his own. Maxi Kleber started in place of the injured Smith Jr. and finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

Out: Dennis Smith Jr., Dirk Nowitzki

Dallas 119, Minnesota 115

The Mavericks have struggled on the road all season, but went to Minnesota determined to get a win. Doncic took over late again by scoring seven of the Mavs last nine points, but it was an injury to J.J. Barea that sucked the joy out of the win.

Stat of the Game: The Mavericks recorded just seven turnovers, their fewest all season.

Mavs Box: Doncic barely missed his first triple-double by finishing with 29 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds. Barea and Powell combined for 31 points off the bench.

Out: Dennis Smith Jr., Ryan Broekhoff

Golden State 119, Dallas 114

In the first game without J.J. Barea as the head of the snake off the bench, the Mavs held their ground at home against the defending champs. But 48 points and 11 three pointers by Stephen Curry was too much to overcome late.

Stat of the Game: Curry’s 11 3-pointers is the most by a visiting player in Mavs history.

Mavs Box: Doncic finished with 26 points while Barnes followed right behind with 22 points. Jalen Brunson scored 12 points in 29 minutes off the bench.

Out: Dennis Smith Jr.

Play of the Week

Luka Doncic over Karl-Anthony Towns

In what would be another incredible finished by the Mavs, Doncic turned a broken play into the back court into the biggest shot of the game. Down by one, Doncic regains control of the ball in the back court before walking into this three pointer over Towns.

Player of the Week

Luka Doncic

Even though the Mavericks lost their first game of the week to the Lakers, Doncic still led the way with 27 points and eight rebounds. A few nights later, Dallas welcomed his old Slovenian national team coach and the Suns to town. Doncic would record 30 points, six rebounds and five assists against the team that passed on him in the draft.

One of Doncic’s epic runs took place on Friday night in Minnesota when he scored seven of the Mavs last nine points in the fourth to help guide them to a win. He finish the game two rebounds shy of a triple-double with 29 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds.

Doncic went head-to-head with Golden State on Sunday night where he finished with 26 points, six rebounds and five assists.

A bonus to the week was the second returns from the All-Star fan voting. Doncic remains second in Western Conference front court voting behind LeBron James.

Quote of the Week

“It sucked. He is one of those key guys on every team that is a focal point in the locker room. A focal point in the community. He is just a great guy. When we both signed, he re-signed and I signed, I didn’t like him. Being an opponent of him. He grew to be one of my best friends. It is tough to see him in this situation, especially knowing what he is about to go through. He will be good.” -Wesley Matthews on J.J. Barea

Moment of the Week

The J.J. Barea Injury

Most moments of the week over the course of the season have been great moments on and off the court, but this week isn’t one of those weeks.

Having another stellar season, J.J. Barea has been a catalyst for the second unit for the Mavs. Cutting through the paint on Friday night in Minnesota, Barea came down on his right leg in what would be a ruptured Achilles. It was a heart-breaking moment for the whole franchise and fanbase.

Social Check In

Must Read

Every week I try to promote some type of written story on the Mavericks from outside media, but this week is a must watch instead. Luka Doncic’s old team, Real Madrid, put together an incredible video to help promote All-Star voting for Doncic. You should all watch it.

Record

This Week: 2-2

Overall: 20-23

Fast Forward

1/16 San Antonio @ Dallas

1/19 Dallas @ Indiana

 

 

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