Johnny Asknis/ info@eurohoops.net
After losing to the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Center, Luka Doncic sent a clear message ahead of his next challenge to the Dallas Mavericks.
“We have to get better defensively.” He answered multiple questions after Tuesday's game.
Doncic, 25, recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double in the 2023-24 regular season. He finished with 39 points on 15-of-30 shooting, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to round out his recent solid performance. However, the Mavs only won one of their four straight games.
“I don't care about that.” He mentioned his statistics, “It doesn't matter. I just want to win, man. That's it.”
The team had won seven straight games, but suffered its fifth loss in the last six games, dropping to 34 wins and 28 losses. After a three-game homestand, Dallas hosts the Miami Heat next Thursday. From there, they will visit the Detroit Pistons next NBA Saturday and the Chicago Bulls on Monday.
The Mavericks, currently in the play-in zone, are two games out of a top-six spot in the Western Conference, which would lead to a direct berth to the 2024 playoffs. There are also six games left before possible elimination.
The five-time All-Star is averaging 34.5 points, 9.7 assists, 8.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game, and is expected to set multiple career highs. But winning games and making the postseason naturally emerges as Doncic's real goal, especially after missing the playoffs in 2023.
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