3 meaningful takeaways from Dallas Mavericks win over Warriors

The Dallas Mavericks snapped their four-game losing streak with a 116-113 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night behind a 41-point triple-double from Luka Doncic. The 23-year-old superstar was unstoppable at the American Airlines Center, and the Mavs picked up a much-needed win.

It was billed as a matchup between arguably the two best point guards in the NBA, and it lived up to it on Tuesday night. Stephen Curry was outstanding for the Warriors as he went for 32 points in 38 minutes of action. Ultimately, Doncic had the bigger game and lifted his team to the win.

The Mavs won a wild game against the defending NBA champions, and there was plenty to takeaway from the contest, including Luka’s historic night and how the lineup changes impacted things. Here is a closer look at the three biggest things.

Takeaway from Dallas Mavericks win over Warriors: 3. Bench and free throw woes

The Mavs changed up their starting lineup on Tuesday in hopes of keeping up with the Warriors. Golden State’s opening group has been phenomenal this season, but their bench has struggled. It was the exact opposite on Tuesday night. The Mavericks starters dominated the play, but their bench struggled.

Head coach Jason Kidd used a ten-man rotation against the Dubs, and all five bench players had a negative plus-minus with Josh Green having the best game. The 22-year-old produced 13 points on five of seven shooting, but the Mavericks bench was subpar on Nov. 29.

The free-throw shooting woes returned as well. Dallas was just 17 of 27 from the foul line with Luka Doncic missing six of his 15. The Mavs have struggled to make their freebies all year and it nearly cost them the game on Tuesday night.

Takeaway from Dallas Mavericks win over Warriors: 2. THJ shines in start

The Mavs put Tim Hardaway Jr. in the starting five against the Milwaukee Bucks as Reggie Bullock rested. Head coach Jason Kidd liked the way his offense played, despite the loss, so he decided to keep THJ in the opening group even with Bullock back. The Mavs were hoping it would snap both players out of their shooting slumps, and it certainly did for Hardaway Jr.

The 6’5 wing scored 22 points on eight of 16 shooting from the field, including making five 3-pointers. Hardaway Jr. had one of his best games of the season, and he helped spark the team’s offense.

He was plus-19 in his 31 minutes on the floor on Tuesday night, and four players in the starting lineup were a positive against the defending champions. Spencer Dinwiddie sat at zero after 23 minutes when he was ejected for picking up a flagrant two foul. The 6’5 guard was leading the second unit when Luka Doncic was on the bench, which is why he was the only starter that did not finish with a positive plus-minus.

Expect Tim Hardaway Jr. to stick in the starting five after Tuesday’s game. He gave the team a lift and finally broke out of his shooting slump. The Dallas Mavericks need more scoring and shot-making, so getting THJ on track is important to their success moving forward.

Takeaway from Dallas Mavericks win over Warriors: 1. Luka goes off

Fans know that Luka Doncic plays his best when the lights are the brightest. The defending champions visiting Dallas, and the chance for the Mavs to get a bit of revenge on the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last season was all number 77 needed to absolutely go off on Tuesday night.

Doncic had 11 first-quarter points and 17 at halftime before exploding for 15 in the third. He was one assist shy of a triple-double after 36 minutes, and the Warriors had absolutely no answers for Luka on Nov. 29. See Doncic locking in his jumper below.

Luka was forced back onto the floor early in the fourth quarter after Dinwiddie was ejected, and he notched his fifth triple-double of the season and the 51st of his career with 8:28 left in the contest. Number 77 was far from done there as he finished with 41 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, four steals and one block in 39 minutes of action on Tuesday night. He made 14 of 27 from the field, including hitting four triples in the victory.

Luka Doncic has been unstoppable all season, and he had another masterful performance on Nov. 29 against the defending champions. He was tied for the fourth most in NBA history with 13 35-plus-point triple-doubles. It was a joy to watch, and the 23-year-old superstar figures to be a fixture in the MVP race all season.

The Dallas Mavericks have a two-game road trip up next as they head to Detroit and New York. It will be the first time facing Jalen Brunson when they head to the Big Apple, and the two-game trip will be the perfect chance to find their footing on the road. What will Luka Doncic and the Mavs do next? Tune in to find out.