By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Frustrated after the loss to the Indiana Pacers in American Airlines Center, Luka Doncic was plain in his message ahead of upcoming challenges for the Dallas Mavericks.
“We got to play better defense,” he replied to multiple questions after the game on Tuesday.
Doncic, 25, recorded a fourth consecutive triple-double in the 2023-24 Regular Season. Tallying 39 points behind 15/30 field goals, 11 assists, and ten rebounds shaped his latest solid showing. However, the Mavs only won one game in his four-game streak.
“I don’t care about it,” he referred to his stats, “It doesn’t matter. I just want to win man. That’s it.”
His side fell to 34-28 with a fifth loss over the last six outings, following a seven-game winning streak. Wrapping up a three-game homestand, welcoming the Miami Heat in Dallas is up next on Thursday. From there to a visit at the Detroit Pistons on the next edition of NBA Saturdays and the Chicago Bulls on Monday.
Currently sitting in the Play-In zone, the Mavericks are distanced two games from the top six spots of the Western Conference leading to a direct berth in the 2024 Playoffs. Also, they are six games away from potential elimination.
The five-time All-Star averaging 34.5 points, 9.7 assists, 8.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per contest sets up projections for multiple career highs. However, winning games and competing in the postseason, especially after missing the 2023 Playoffs, naturally emerges as the real goal for Doncic.