The Dallas Mavericks ended up winning 127-125 over the Los Angeles Lakers on the second night of a back-to-back. After defeating the Utah Jazz by 50 points to start the season, the Mavs have won four straight games to increase their record to 15-8. The Lakers are currently 14-10. 

Throughout the game, the Lakers used aggressive ball screen coverage early on to blitz and take the ball out of Luka Doncic’s hands. In order to move the superstar Slovenian around the half-court and create opportunities for touches in various areas to put pressure on the defense, Dallas had him play off-the-ball for extended periods of time. Playing the numbers game and getting two defenders on the ball seemed to be the obvious goal.

After a play late in the first quarter, Doncic was slow to get up, so a trainer had to wrap his ankle on the sidelines before he could play again to begin the second half. Austin Reaves, a Lakers guard who attempted a finish but tumbled to the floor, looked like he stepped on his shoe. 

In order to create space for Doncic on the court and force the defender to read multiple screens, Dallas resorted to using an additional screener in a variety of pick-and-roll, double-drag, and occasionally even off-ball plays like a wide action up top or a double stagger out of the corner.  

Even with Irving out, the Mavs were well-positioned to penalize the Lakers for sending two players after the break, especially with floor spacing threats like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Grant Williams returning from injury. The Mavs scored 71 points before halftime to take a 10-point lead, despite the Lakers’ best attempts to force someone other than Doncic to beat them. 

LeBron James of the LA Lakers and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.

The Lakers changed up their defensive coverages late in the first half and continued them into the second half. They went from sending early doubles to frequently loading the gaps by pre-rotating help, whether at the nail or with the low man. The Mavs started to target Anthony Davis in space more frequently while alternating hunts with several screeners to produce mismatches. 

The Mavs’ already-depleted offense collapsed when Doncic took a late-third-quarter break, allowing them to score a game-low 22 points in the quarter. Meanwhile, Dallas’ defense kept failing to control Davis. Los Angeles led 95-93 going into the fourth quarter after a run of baskets that included an isolated jumper and a pick-and-pop 3-pointer. 

Throughout the fourth quarter, as the Lakers kept Doncic as the center of their defense, the superstar from Slovenia made accurate, occasionally spectacular passes to open teammates. Exum, who made two made 3-pointers, was a major winner. For the majority of the last quarter, the game was decided by a single possession. However, with 5:37 remaining, Exum’s fifth made 3-pointer increased Dallas’ lead to 113-108. He extended the advantage to six points with a sixth long-range basket, setting a new career record. In the fourth quarter, he added another basket, finishing with 17 points. 

Frequently used as a screener, Doncic set the tone for the Mavs’ late-game offense by creating a clean tough with a mismatch in the center of the court. With crucial plays, whether it was Lively grabbing an offensive rebound or the team’s consistent hot shooting from outside the area, Dallas was able to seal the victory. 

The Mavs conclude a two-game home stand at American Airlines Center on Thursday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.