Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic hitting 3-pointers makes him unstoppable
By Tyler Watts
![Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthesmokingcuban-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F13729298-850x560-ed7ff613737ff7e33b77386c063ad0a0.jpg)
The Dallas Mavericks are finally starting to heat up. They got off to a slow start in part because of injuries and COVID issues. Superstar Luka Doncic also showed up a bit out of shape but has caught fire to help the Mavs win six of their last eight games. They are back in the playoff race and ready to climb further up the standings.
Luka’s impressive improvements are on full display in year three. He has connected on 79.5 percent of his free throws so far. Doncic shot just 57 mid-range jumpers last season but has made 47.5 percent of his 80 tries through the Mavericks first 28 games. Fans have loved the Dirk Nowitzki one-legged fadeaway that Luka has added to his bag of tricks too. He is a walking highlight reel.
Doncic is one of the five best offensive players in the NBA, but improving his 3-point shooting would take his game to another level. The 21-year-old and the Mavericks would be unstoppable if Luka becomes an above-league average shooter from long range. Here is an in-depth look at why.
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Luka Doncic makes the Dallas Mavericks unstoppable when he is hitting threes
Doncic is a career 32.3 percent shooter from downtown. The league average is 36.8 percent this season but usually sits closer to 35.5 percent. Luka 3-point percentage dropped to 31.6 in year two. He is taking a ton of difficult looks including heaves at the end of clocks that drag his numbers down.
Over the Mavs recent hot streak, Luka is shooting 44.4 percent from 3-point range on 7.7 attempts per game. Over the last 20 contests, he has hit 37.7 percent of his long-distance tries, and the Mavericks are sixth in offensive rating during that stretch. Let us take a closer look at why the team becomes unstoppable when Luka Doncic nails his 3-pointers.
Next: Luka's drives