NBA restart | Mavs (40-27) vs Rockets (40-24) | Friday 9 pm ET - Europe back to not sleeping

[leolozon]

2 plays away from being both 0.5 game behind the Rockets and 2 games behind the Jazz... and now that 7th seed is almost a sure thing.

That last minute of the 4th quarter was so painful to watch, even more because you knew what was coming even if the odds of it happening was less than 1%. This season, they've elevated choking into an art form.

[dirkforpres]

This team has first round exit written all over it. The least clutch team I’ve ever seen.

[ejs78]

18 and 31.... DRAFT DEFENSE!!!

[fuller4379]

On the positive side - Welcome back Trey Burke.

[BlueSan]

Seth and Luka missing FTs in crunch time is what killed us.

You do not think it was the D and Rockets coming to paint and scoring as they wished?

[oldshoolballer]

Mavs can't close. They have blown more 4th quarter leads than anybody.As much as I love Luka his free throw shooting is a problem.It's costing games.

[BlueSan]

It is and Rick's decision making and some other stuff as well

[daoneandonly]

Waste of time staying up for this game. Seth Curry is utterly worthless when his shot is off. He should have been riding the bench at the end, Burke earned the PT to be there.

This team seriously needs a hard nosed defender.

[Mike lorenzo]

maybe watch too much european basketball, i don't like 150 points matches, the defense is terrifying, soft ... why doesn't Boban play anymore? ...

[Michaellam1987]

Honestly, Luka has to take major responsibility for the loss, he is absolutely terrible in late game situation. His defense is bad, his shooting is terrible. Why always try for step back 3? If you are tried, let other ppl to help carry the ball, should try some more different types of offense, mid range, post up etc, his offense is too predictable in late game situation, of course some Mavericks need to bear some responsibility, Seth missing 3 of 6 foul shoots, KP doesn’t box out properly at the end of regulation. But if Luka wants to be the alpha dog of a team that can fight for championship, he needs to be far better than that, imagine if the ball is on LeBron/Kwahi/Giannis or Dirk’s hand, this game will definitely be a win. Honestly if you can’t perform well against a bad defensive team in HOU, can’t imagine you can be any better, when you have LAL/LAC/UTAH/DEN, who are all potential playoff opponents but all are great defensive team

[arkuo]

If Luka isn't clicking on offense, then he needs to be on the bench as he doesnt odo anything on defense either. The matador defense is very Steve Nash like. Just let the opponent get a layup and get a running start again for the next possession.

Dallas needs to invest on wing defenders this summer. Only DFS plays serious defense on the team. Trade for Robert Covington or sign Derrick Jones Jr away from Miami or Jrue Holiday from New Orleans.

With the pending implosion in Philly, somehow Dallas can trade for Tobias Harris if it brings back Matisse Thybulle. You need those type of guys to fill the roster if Luka is gonna be a one way player.

[Teffer10]

Seth and Luka missing FTs in crunch time is what killed us.

You do not think it was the D and Rockets coming to paint and scoring as they wished?

Mavs pretty much had this game under control from the 2nd quarter until 45 seconds left.
Luka (because he is the star of the team) and Seth (because he is our best FT shooter) can't miss clutch FTs in the last few minutes if the plan is to win in crunch time which I'm assuming is the goal.
Yes the D sucked but this was pretty much our game to lose from the 2nd quarter on and we found a way to do just that.

[wolfram]

Luka needs midrange game. He doesn't have the stamina to drive in the clutch, his 3pt shot off the dribble is horrible right now.
I think he could become deadly from midrange, CP3 like.

Also coach has to change something, this pattern in the clutch is not working and will not work in the playoffs.

[Teffer10]

At 21, Luka hasn't gained the respect of the officials yet.
Lets give it time because someday he might be able to put his shoulder into retreating defenders or jump between two statue defenders to get calls like Harden and LeBron get.
Hopefully by then he'll be able to make both free throws once in awhile or that point will be moot.

[leolozon]

Denver and Utah Losing was probably the worst case scenario for the Mavs. The last 2 days haven't been good for a chance to avoid the Clippers. Kind of a shame that the Pels choked 2 days ago, because the Jazz looks like the team that could fall off.