Here are my 5 takeaways from the Dallas Mavericks’ 107-104 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night at American Airlines Center:
1. THIS JUST IN: For those on you hanging out on planet Mars for the past four months, this just in. Luka Doncic is pretty darn good! Just when it appeared as though the Mavs were on the verge of losing Saturday’s game, Doncic popped up and scored 11 consecutive points and led this team to victory. And it was the way Doncic scored those points that was so impressive. Three of them came via a corner 3-pointer, six more came on a pair of his patented step-back 3-pointers. And the other two came on a conventional floater in the lane. This, mind you, all came after the Rockets were up by eight points with just over three minutes remaining in the game.
2. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDS: By now, DeAndre Jordan’ teammates know to get out of the way whenever he’s chasing rebounds. As Jordan said, that’s why the Mavs signed him to a free agent contract. They want him grabbing as many rebounds as possible. And on Saturday, Jordan did just that. The 11-year veteran wound up with a game-high 20 rebounds. That’s four more rebounds than his teammates – they combined to snatch 24 boards – collected. It’s the third time Jordan has hauled in at least 20 rebounds in a game this season, and the second time he’s completed this feat in the last four games. This past Sunday, Jordan grabbed a season-high 23 rebounds against the LA Clippers.
3. BRUNSON STEPPED UP: Jalen Brunson keeps proving over and over again that a lot of smart folks in the NBA made a mistake when they passed over him in the draft. The rookie point guard from Villanova tallied a season-high 14 points and also picked up three steals against the Rockets while starting in place of the injured Dennis Smith Jr. It was Brunson’s second career start after he amazingly slipped to the second round – he was the No. 33 overall selection – of last June’s NBA Draft, although he was named the consensus National College Player of the Year while leading the Wildcats to the national title for the second time in three seasons.
4. HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: What is it about American Airlines Center that brings out the best in the Mavs? All appeared lost on Saturday, then out of nowhere the Mavs caught fire and turned a late eight-point deficit into a three-point victory. Ok, Luka Doncic’s personal 11-0 run was the centerpiece of the improbable comeback. In all, the Mavs are 11-2 at home this season after going 3-10 following their first 13 home games last season. In addition, the Mavs also have won their last nine home games. That’s the longest home winning streak since the Mavs also won nine consecutive home games from Jan. 19-Mar. 4, 2011, the year they captured their lone NBA championship.
5. DEPTH DID IT AGAIN: Saturday was another classic case of the Mavs’ depth stepping up and being pivotal in a win. Dennis Smith Jr. missed his second straight game with an aggravated right wrist. No problem. Jalen Brunson started in Smith’s absence and was 7-of-9 from the field with three assists and effectively directed the offense as if he’s been doing it for years. He also came up with a big steal – and basket – when he picked James Harden’s pocket and scored. Dorian Finney-Smith, a frequent starter whenever one of the Mavs’ forwards or guards are injured, contributed 14 points off the bench. Finney-Smith was 5-of-8 from the field, and cool-handed J. J. Barea finished with nine points and four assists.
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