The Dallas Mavericks have significantly improved their defensive statistics over the last six games. Dallas has held opponents to 46.7% shooting since December 14th on 92.4 attempts per game, 11th in the league. Dallas has improved their defensive field goal percentage by 1.6% as opponents shot 48.3% in the team’s first 27 games on 83.4 attempts per game.
The improved defensive field goal percentage has helped Dallas hold opponents to 106 points per game since December 14th, 7th in the league. They have improved in this category by 4.1 points, as opponents scored 110.1 points per game over the first 27 games.
However, Dallas’ defensive improvement is misleading as the statistical boost over the last six has been inflated by one particular performance. The Mavericks held the Cleveland Cavaliers to 99 points on December 17th; the Cavaliers shot 42.6% on 94 attempts per game.
If the Cavaliers’ performance is taken out of the equation, opponents are shooting 47.7% on 84.25 attempts per game. Opponents averaged 107 points per game over those five contests. The contrast between the statistical performances is their best player Luka Doncic.
Luka Doncic’s defense
Doncic’s primary focus on defense is trying to get the steal or force a turnover; if he fails to accomplish the goal, he gives up on the defensive possessions. For example, Donicic decided to jog back down the court as the team was defending a Jalen Green fast break early in the first quarter of a road game against Houston.
Doncic eventually chose to stand below the free throw line, becoming the last line of defense in the Green fast break. As Green approached the basket, Doncic attempted to slap the ball out of Green’s hands, trying to force a turnover. Unfortunately, Doncic failed and decided to give up on the possession leading to a Green dunk.
Doncic’s defensive effort has led opponents to shoot 48.6 % on 63.2 attempts per game. Opponents are averaging 83.8 points in the 36.6 minutes per game Donicic is on the court, the worst on the team. Dallas performs better when Doncic is out or on the bench.
The Mavericks’ defense without Luka
Doncic missed the December 17th game against Cleveland leading to a better defensive effort. For example, Donovan Mitchell had the ball early in the first quarter on December 17th.
He performed a bounce pass to Evan Mobley, who was standing near the elbow. Mobley immediately passed the ball to Issac Okoro, who was on the left wing. Okoro tried to drive toward the basket but could not separate from Kemba Walker.
Okoro gave the ball to Darius Garland, who drove to the basket. As he approached the basket, Garland was surrounded by Tim Hardaway Jr and Christian Wood. Consequently, Garland gave the ball to Mitchell, who immediately passed it back. Garland drove to the basket again and missed a contested floater over Wood.
Opponents average 33.2 points on 46.8% shooting in 26.2 attempts per game, the best on the team. In conclusion, Luka Doncic is the source of Dallas’ defensive issues this season.
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