This week, Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic bounced back Wednesday after one of his worst performances of the season in New Orleans to generate a gem of 26 points and 10 assists in Washington on the second night of the second leg. Irving (left foot).
Doncic racked up 21 problems in the first half and eliminated his NBA-best 20 problems in the sixth half.
A stat to know: 6-0: The Mavs remain the only undefeated team in the league (6-0) in terms of decisive time (minutes played with a goal margin within five numbers with five minutes or less to play) overall. Partly thanks to Doncic.
The four-time All-Star is 5-for-7 from intensity this season in terms of time. Dallas played 55 deciding games in 2022-23, completing 26-29 with the four-time All-Star shooting 7-of-36. from a distance.
Another statistic you should know: 73%. As of Thursday, the Mavs are 9-3 and in second place in the Western Conference. That record was built, in part, thanks to the decisive game, as the Mavs are the only undefeated team (6-0) in games with fewer than five problems in the final five minutes. This is a huge reversal of fortune compared to last season, when they had close games after the acquisition of Kyrie Irving.
It should come as no surprise that Doncic is the team’s leading scorer, struggling more (25) than two teammates combined, hitting 8-of-11 with a 5-of-7 diversity with a score of less than five in the last five. What would possibly be unexpected is how poorly Doncic had shot all 3 shots (38 of 166, 22. 3%) prior to this season.
Luka Doncic hits a three-pointer
Doncic is shooting more difficult 3-pointers than top players, and is 6-for-12 from 3-point range in the playoffs. But this good luck at the beginning of the season is a novelty. — John Schuhmann
What they say: “Luka and this organization set the tone, understanding that arriving at four in the morning, possible excuses for being tired or planning. The maturity, the confidence to execute, I think they did a wonderful job from the beginning. – Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd.
And now, the top five of the 2022-23 Kia Race towards the MVP ladder.
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 30. 0 problems per game, 13. 9 RPGs, 8. 4 problems per game
His case: Good luck defeating Kia’s two-time MVP, who just won his fourth straight game with 30 or more points, a streak that ranks as the second-longest of his career. Jokic enters Denver’s upcoming five-game road trip after recording more than 20 serves and more than 15 rebounds in 11 direct outings.
The plot is heating up Friday in New Orleans for Denver’s third game of the season tournament.
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Last Week’s Ranking: #3
Season stats: 30. 7 points per game, 7. 8 RPGs, 8. 1 apps
Case in point: Doncic leads the league’s second-highest-scoring offense (123. 4 points per game), and he’s had sophisticated changes, such as making more catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, that have produced significant effects to help bring Dallas’ velocity to No. . Array5 in the championship.
With 58 career triple-doubles, the Slovenian wants just one more to tie Larry Bird for ninth on the NBA’s all-time list. Difficult.
3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 2
Season Stats: 31. 9 points per game, 11. 5 RPG, 5. 8 APG
His case: Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday for the 12th time, Embiid scored a season-low 20 points in Wednesday’s loss to Boston as Philadelphia lost back-to-back games for the first time. streak of games in which the reigning MVP shot at least 10 loose shots.
But he’s expected to bounce back in Atlanta on Friday after averaging 25. 3 points in 16 regular-season games against the Hawks.
4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celts
Last week’s standings: nº4
Season Stats: 28. 5 PPG, 8. 8 RPG, 4. 1 APP
His case: While some faces change around him due to injuries and personal issues early in the season, Tatum remains a consistent Celtics player as the 15th player in league history to score 10,000 goals before the age of 26. He played in all 11 games in Boston.
Tatum leads the Celtics 1-0 in Toronto on Friday in the Pool C game of the normal-season tournament.
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s rankings: No. 5
Season Stats: 29. 3 points per game, 6. 9 RPG, 5. 9 APG
Case in point: The leader of the NBA’s third-youngest team, Gilgeous-Alexander, followed up a 28-point, seven-steal afternoon against San Antonio with 24 points and seven assists Thursday in a win at Golden State to open a three-game series. Travel by car.
The 25-year-old has 30 or more problems in seven games, but make no mistake, it will affect your pocketbook. Gilgeous-Alexander got the win against the Warriors, who led the league in steals (2. 6).
The five:
And others (listed in alphabetical order): Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks; Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers; Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns; Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks; Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Knights.
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Michael C. Wright is a senior at NBA. com. You can email him here, locate his files here and follow him on Twitter.
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