Though they slid into the All-Star break on a three-game losing streak, Coach Jason Kidd’s Dallas Mavericks emerged from the week-long respite with everything they want to accomplish this season still in front of them.
The Mavericks played like a team on a mission on Thursday, dismantling the San Antonio Spurs 142-116. Eight players scored in double figures for Dallas, led by 28 from Luka Doncic and 23 from Kyrie Irving. But Coach Kidd was proud of the way everyone played their role top to bottom. Nine of the 10 players who saw action scored points and even Theo Pinson, who did not score, chipped in two rebounds, an assist and a steal.
“After our practice yesterday, it was a great carryover with the energy and the spirit. Guys were connected,” Jason said. “We talked about it before, just being unselfish. There’s going to be some guys that, their minutes are going to come down as we get healthy here. That’s what happens when you have a deep team, and I thought the guys did a great job tonight.”
The victory moved Dallas back into the Top 6 in the West and they remain within striking distance of a top three seed with still 21 games to play in the season. Coach Kidd knows that if the Mavs can consistently play like they did on Thursday, with cohesion, chemistry and a commitment to sharing the basketball, they’re going to be difficult to stop.
“Any time you can score 142 points and Luka doesn’t have to play in the fourth, that’s pretty good,” Jason said. “I thought the ball was moving…guys [were] moving too. Your quarterbacks with Ky and LD, finding open guys, I thought they did a really good job, Josh did a really good job finding guys. The ball doesn’t stick. People have said Luka and Kyrie both need the ball, well they also know how to use their teammates and their teammates are delivering right now.”
The Mavericks (32-29) return to action on Sunday when they host the Los Angeles Lakers (28-32). Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. CT and the game can be seen on ESPN.