3 troublesome takeaways from Dallas Mavericks loss to shorthanded Wizards

The Dallas Mavericks suffered their second straight disappointing loss on Thursday night as they fell to the Washington Wizards 113-105 in the nation's capital. Luka Doncic struggled from the field and at the line, and the Mavs could not find a way to win, despite Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis being out.

Kyle Kuzma saved the Wizards on Thursday night as he went for 36 points, but he was far from the only Wizard who stepped up. The Mavericks struggled mightily in the second half for the second straight game as they had just 44 points. It was a disappointing night for all MFFLs as Dallas just should not lose games like this, much less two straight.

The Wizards made things tough on number 77 by sending multiple defenders, and the Mavs just could not figure things out on Thursday night. Here are three takeaways from the disappointing loss.

Takeaway from Dallas Mavericks win over Wizards: 3. Luka’s free throw woes return

Luka Doncic struggled for the second straight night. He scored 30 or more points in his first nine games to open the season, but that was snapped on Wednesday night in Orlando, and the 23-year-old superstar still could not find his shot on Nov. 10 in the nation’s capital.

Doncic struggled from the field, but his biggest woes came at the line. Over his previous five games, Luka’s free throw shooting dipped to 70.2 percent, and he made just three of nine on Thursday night. He is a career 73.9 percent foul shooter, but he shot better each of the last two years. His struggles returned against the Wizards.

Luka’s free throw shooting is something to watch closely as the season progresses. His free throw attempts are way up as he is taking 11.2 per game, and the Mavericks need him to make them if they want to finish in the top four in the conference again this season.

It was a bad loss on Thursday night to the shorthanded Washington Wizards, and Luka’s struggles were a massive factor in the second straight loss by Dallas.