The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Sacramento Kings 129-113 on the second night of a back-to-back. The result of this game dropped the Mavs to 9-5 through 14 games of the season, while the Kings increased to 8-4.

One topic that the Mavs as a team discussed after their Saturday defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks was defensive execution. Dallas gave up 70 points on 56/44/92 shooting splits in the opening game against the Kings, demonstrating their persistent problems in this area. At the half, Dallas was behind by a five-point deficit. 

There was no lack of excellent choices for play finishers surrounding rim-pressure threats like De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis because the Kings were active off the ball during half-court movements. The ability to recover from rotations and contain dribble penetration was generally present. The entire game, the pattern persisted. 

With double digits in the first half—Doncic with 16 points, five rebounds, and six assists, and Irving with 19 points—the Mavs got off to a great start. Twelve more points were added by Tim Hardaway Jr.

Searching for mismatches and, where necessary, utilizing screeners and screening activities were priorities for the Mavs. The Kings maintained their center position against Derrick Jones Jr., but they allowed a wing to handle the Dereck Lively II matchup, altering their ball-screening tactic. To gain an edge, Dallas needs to take a fresh strategy to screening.

De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings taking on the Dallas Mavericks.

For USA TODAY Sports, Jerome Miron

As the game went on, the Kings were more aggressive, utilizing the shot clock to create the mismatches they wanted and sending late doubles to disrupt the Mavs’ offense. There was enough disturbance when the ball left the hands of one of their great players for Sacramento to have the advantage.

Following the half, Dallas substituted Josh Green for Jones in the starting lineup. The idea is to create more space in the half-court and make it harder for the opponent to hide their big man because the defense will have to respect Green more as a floor spacer. 

With eight minutes left in regulation, the Mavs trailed 116-99 and were unable to find a defensive response, regardless of the players who were used. Dallas failed to mount a significant comeback over the remaining minutes of regulation. 

Following Harrison Barnes’ breakaway dunking of Doncic’s ball, the Kings appeared to have secured the win. The Mavs’ offensive strategy was centered on making a lot of fast 3-pointers but not nearly converting at a meaningful rate. 

The Mavs will return to the road for a two-game stretch in Los Angeles, where they will play the Lakers and Clippers, after their one-game return at American Airlines Center.