As we all know the 2019-20 Mavericks had an abysmal record in the clutch. Their record based on their point differential should have been 49-26 but instead it was 43-32. They also struggled mightily in overtime losing 14 out of 16 at one point. Things didn't get any better when they started play in the Orlando bubble by losing a 7 point lead with 45 seconds left only to fall to the Rockets in OT and followed that up with a 2 point loss to Phoenix. Since then things have changed. The Mavs have won 4 in a row in OT behind a much improved clutch offense and a defense that has gotten key stops. Let's take a look back at those 4 overtime wins including the playoff thriller against the Clippers and last night's impressive win in Denver.
Mavs 114 Kings 110 (OT) 8-4-20
The Streak didn't begin in the prettiest fashion but defense carried the day as the Mavs held Sacramento scoreless for the final 5:17 of regulation to force overtime. In overtime the offense came alive, scoring 19 points on 4-7 shooting from the field and going 9-11 from the line. Luka was spectacular on both ends, finishing with 34 points, a career high 20 rebounds, 12 assists and playing some of the best defense he's ever played.
Mavs 136 Bucks 132 (OT) 8-8-20
You can make an argument that this is the game the Mavs finally arrived as a clutch team. It looked like more of the same as they faced a 7 point deficit with less than 2 minutes left against the team with the best record in the league. Instead they ended regulation with a 7-0 run on a Dorian Finney-Smith 3 and 2 free throws each from Porzingis and Luka. They continued their run in overtime scoring the first 9 points on 3 straight threes and never looked back. The defining play was an absolute gorgeous pass by Luka to Maxi Kleber for a 3 point play to put the Mavs up 5 with 1:08 to go after a Bucks run. Luka was spectacular again this time finishing with a career high 19 assists to go along with 36 points and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile DFS played the game of his career scoring 27 points (including 6 threes) and adding 11 rebounds.
Mavs 135 Clippers 133 (OT) 8-23-20
The question now would be would these clutch wins carry over to the playoffs. With the Mavs down 2-1 in the first round series and facing a 21 point 2nd quarter deficit without KP that question seemed moot. However more Luka Magic would see that would not be the case. Playing the best game of his young career Doncic led the Mavs all the way back and once again the Mavs headed for extra basketball. In that overtime sessions Luka turned it up yet another notch. First he hit a short jumper to tie the game with 50 seconds left and then would give the Mavs the lead with a layup with 19 seconds to go. After Marcus Morris put the Clippers ahead with a corner 3, some real Disney magic happened. Luka got the switch on the smaller Reggie Jackson and hit his patented stepback 3 at the buzzer to give the Mavs an unforgettable win to even the series at 2. For the game Luka put up an incredible statline of 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists but it was his clutch heroics that stole the show.
Mavs 124 Nuggets 117 (OT) 1-7-21
Now the question became would the Mavs clutch play in the bubble carry over into this new season and in last night's win in Denver it certainly did. Maxi came to life in the final 4 minutes hitting 3 threes including a go-ahead shot with 3 seconds left to give the Mavs the lead. He had been scoreless for the game up until those 3 shots. After Nikola Jokic's jumper forced OT, the Mavs didn't hang their heads and Luka once again took over in overtime, outscoring the Nuggets by himself 9-8. It was yet another clutch overtime win fueled by Luka's brilliance, big shots from role players and stingy defense when it mattered most. After struggling so mightily for most of last year in clutch situations, the Mavs seem to have found a formula to reverse that trend and boy is it welcome.
