Mavericks deliver statement win over Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 19: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 19, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

There is no doubt that things have been tense in Dallas lately. Entering their game in Indiana last night, the Mavericks were losers of seven of their last nine games, and came off embarrassing losses over the weekend to the Charlotte Hornets, where they were beaten 117-109 in Dallas on Friday, and then 110-104 in Charlotte on Saturday. The Hornets are the fourth worst team in the National Basketball Association at 25 wins and 51 losses.

The bottom line is things were supposed to be better in Dallas when they acquired Kyrie Irving in a blockbuster deal with the Brooklyn Nets. The Melbourne, Australia native was to complement Mavericks star guard Luka Doncic on the court, with the expectation of more Dallas victories. However, since the trade, the Mavericks have only won nine of 22 games, and have gone from above the .500 mark to below the .500 mark at 37 wins and 39 losses.

On Monday, the Mavericks seemed to turn the corner a little with a statement win. Doncic and Irving combined for 41 points in a convincing 127-104 win over the Indiana Pacers. The win was even more impressive when you consider the fact that the Mavericks were playing their second game of a back-to-back.

It was the third quarter that the Mavericks played their best basketball. They outscored the Pacers 40-27, and at the time took a 99-74 lead.

With six games left, Dallas is in 11th place in the Western Conference, and half a game back of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the final spot in the play-in tournament. Dallas’s last six opponents are the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. Do you think Dallas’s win over Indiana will give them momentum and they have what it takes to crack the top 10 in the West?

Remember, Doncic  has four 50-point games this season. The last came on January 30, in a 111-105 win over the Detroit Pistons as Doncic scored 53 points. All four 50-point games came before Dallas acquired Irving.

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