Dallas Mavericks: 5 takeaways from Game 1 loss to LA Clippers

Dallas Mavericks takeaway from loss to Clippers: 5. KP needs to be better

Putting the ejection aside, Kristaps Porzingis needs to play better. Mavs fans know the Unicorn is incredibly talented and one of the toughest covers in the NBA. He is a 7’3 center that can make plays like this.

https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/1295543671572529152

KP struggled with his shot on Monday night. He was three of nine from the field including hitting just one of four on his 3-point attempts. Porzingis missed three wide-open triples in his 20 minutes of action.

The Unicorn got to the line and connected on seven of his eight free throws. That helped him finish with 20 points, six rebounds, and one block in game one.

He needs to better. Fans can read why Kristaps Porzingis is the key to the Mavericks upsetting the Clippers here.

One of the headlines was Porzingis’ ejection. Both may have been by the rule book technical fouls, but they were unwarranted. What did KP really do? He was upset a call did not go his way and stuck up for his teammate. Porzingis did not hit another player or start a fight. If LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo did the same two actions, they would have received zero technical fouls.

KP needs to not put himself in those situations. He acknowledges as much in his postgame presser. The Mavericks must have him on the court. It is a learning experience for Porzingis.

The biggest takeaway here is Kristaps Porzingis was not playing his best, but Dallas was up by five when he was tossed in the third quarter. Fans should have hope for what that means going forward.

Next: No. 4