Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant went head-to-head last night when the Brooklyn Nets hosted the Dallas Mavericks in the Barclays Center. As it was a home game, Durant was without Kyrie Irving by his side as he is still yet to be vaccinated.
The game came down to the wire after the Nets blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter as the Mavericks won the game on a buzzer-beater from former Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie.
However, the night was about Doncic who had 37 points with 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, including the final one to Dinwiddie for the game-winner. Durant struggled with the Mavs throwing complicated double team’s on him, holding him to 20 points on the night. Despite the loss, KD took the time out to praise Doncic in his post-game press conference.
KD on Luka: "They built that program for him the second he got there and they made sure he was able to be the best version of himself every day. So the sky's the limit, he's going to continue to do this for the next decade plus."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) March 17, 2022
The Dallas Mavericks have found new life ever since they made the trade to send Kristaps Porzingis to the Washington Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. While Bertans may not have yielded the same return as Dinwiddie, this trade has improved the Mavericks.
That move also signified the Mavericks doubling-down on Luka being the primary offensive focus, with players like Dinwiddie offering relief as a secondary ball-handler. The Mavericks have built a roster constructed for Luka’s needs with shooting and solid perimeter defenders around him.
"I asked Jason Kidd 'I said well s–t, you paid Dorian Finney-Smith all that money is he a defender or you gonna rely on this [constant doubles and traps]…."
-Kevin Durant admits he tried to convince J-Kidd to single cover him but it didn't work. pic.twitter.com/fTj9XuI6IV
— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) March 17, 2022
All that the Mavs need now is a solid interior presence, even though Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell have been serviceable the Mavericks need to improve on that front.
Durant recognizing Doncic’s play must be very encouraging. Doncic has already drawn hefty comparisons with the likes of LeBron James and now needs to show he can continue developing into a player of that caliber. Hopefully, this year’s post-season sees Doncic finally break through the first round and make a significant playoff run.
