Who should surround Luka Doncic in the Mavericks closing lineup?
By Tyler Watts
Offense
This offense is so much fun. Luka Doncic runs the point with Seth Curry or Tim Hardaway Jr. capable of taking on that secondary creator role. It allows Kristaps Porzingis to be the primary pick and roll partner with Luka. That is the key. Porzingis is finding his groove and attacking the basket more opening the entire floor.
They are surrounded by three shooters too. Dorian Finney-Smith is hitting 37.1 percent from 3-point range this season. Both THJ and Curry are over 40 percent.
Now add in Doncic’s incredible passing ability. He runs the pick and roll and hits a cutting KP for a dunk. Next time down, they sell out against Porzingis, and Doncic lays it in himself. Then, the defense stops both men and leaves someone wide open for three. It creates a plethora of bad options for the D.
The Mavericks need Curry over Maxi Kleber, though. One, he is the best shooter on the team and one of the NBA’s top. Two, Curry can handle the ball and create his own shot if Luka needs to give it up. The Mavs need that third player capable of getting a bucket down the stretch when the game tightens up.
Next: Defense