Luka’s supporting cast is alive again
The Dallas Mavericks will be back at home after participating in the NBA Global Games in Mexico City, where they eased past the Detroit Pistons, 122-111. As always, Luka Doncic was in fine form as he notched 41 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. The Mavs moved to 17-7 on the season following the win.
It will again be exciting to watch Doncic aim for such a performance. It seems like he’s capable of 30 or 40-point triple-doubles every time he’s on the floor. He’s putting up 30.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 9.4 assists per game on 48.2%-shooting.
Kristaps Porzingis (16.6 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2 BPG) can again be considered a threat after weeks of mediocrity. He chipped in 20 points, eight boards, and three blocks during the Pistons win, easily his best game in a while. We’ll see if he can build off momentum from that.
Seth Curry is also someone to watch out for. He came off the bench and burned Detroit for 30 points, which included six three-pointers.
The Mavs are top three in scoring (118.1 PPG) and offensive efficiency, but note that they are just 8-5 at home this season.
The all-around Heat attack
The Miami Heat are off to Dallas and will be on the second night of a back-to-back. They just had their first home loss of the year after getting edged out by the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, 113-110. They are now 18-7 and roaming within the top three spots in the East.
If the Mavericks are a one-man band for the most part, Heat basketball is an absolute choir. It’s a fact that’s beaten to death but it is indeed beautiful basketball. Seven players, six of which are active, are averaging double-digit points, and each can be the focal point of the attack at any given day.
The options are just all over the Heat’s arsenal. Jimmy Butler is an alpha playmaker and go-to guy in the clutch, Goran Dragic is a veteran floor general, Bam Adebayo is a double-double machine that also averages 4.4 APG, Duncan Robinson and rookie Tyler Herro are deadeye shooters, undrafted rookie Kendrick Nunn is a daring slasher and capable scorer, and Justise Winslow, who’s out with a concussion, is also a statsheet stuffer whenever he’s healthy.
The Heat are 7-6 on the road this season.
PREDICTION:
The game goes down the wire and the Heat pull out a 112-109 victory.
