For nearly two weeks, the Mavericks searched for the rhythm and approach that would end their losing streak, which had reached six games entering Wednesday night’s matchup against the Hawks.
They experimented with lineups. Hoped a return to full strength, post-COVID-19 outbreak, would change fortune. Preached for better defense. Crafted optimistic posts on Instagram.
The perfect formula for consistent dominance and success may still be in flux.
But the Mavericks’ 122-116 win in Atlanta Wednesday, their first victory since Jan. 22 against the Spurs, at least served to settle the reeling team ahead of a seven-game homestand.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 27 points, eight rebounds and 14 assists, but the combination of Tim Hardaway Jr. (22 points) and Jalen Brunson (12) off the bench gave 3-point-slumping Dallas the offensive punch and prowess it needed to withstand a late Hawks rally.
The Mavericks, however, had little time to relish the end of what tied for the third-longest slide of coach Rick Carlisle’s 12-year tenure with a national TV clash against the Warriors looming Thursday.
“Winning is huge,” Carlisle said. “It makes a big difference. Things are very upbeat right now.”
The most obvious spotlight each time these two teams meet harkens back to June 2018, when the Mavericks and Hawks swapped first round picks, sending Doncic to Dallas and Trae Young to Atlanta.
Debate about the winner of the trade, which also included Dallas’ 2019 first-round pick, abounds each time on social media and in commentary.
But both franchise cornerstones having already earned All-Star starts and developed a friendly bond through their intertwined NBA starts, so the Mavericks’ on-court focus Wednesday night was, as always, less about proving draft superiority and more about trying to corral Young, who averaged 35.5 points and 9.2 assists in his previous six games.
The Mavericks’ double teams against Young worked at times. The former Oklahoma star experienced first-quarter foul trouble and didn’t score until five minutes remained in the first half.
But Young hit a deep 3-pointer with 42.3 seconds remaining to capitalize on a Mavericks turnover and cut Dallas’ lead, which was double-digits two minutes earlier, to 115-112.
With the poise and execution they lacked in Monday’s last-second loss to the Suns, the Mavericks quelled the Hawks’ surge with Porzingis’ putback on the next possession and by making five of six free-throw attempts in the last 20 seconds.
“It wasn’t perfect,” Doncic said. “We got a win. That’s all that matters to me. We were so happy after the game. It’s been a tough stretch.”
The Mavericks were in position to weather the Hawks’ late push thanks to Hardaway and Brunson, who combined for 34 of the Mavericks’ 36 bench points.
Hardaway, who rotated in and out of the starting lineup during the Mavericks’ COVID-19 outbreak, shot 5 of 10 from three. The other 10 Mavericks who played combined to make 8 of 30 attempts (26.6%).
“Let’s just do it and get it done and just win ball games,” Hardaway said of his response to Carlisle moving him to the second unit. “That’s what I want to be a part of, a winning team, a winning culture, so whatever it takes.”
While a one-score contest in the final minute, the game still wasn’t as dramatic as Feb. 22, 2020, the Mavericks’ last trip to Atlanta.
With Doncic and Porzingis out for rest that night, Brunson also exited after the first possession with a season-ending shoulder injury. The Mavericks then lost just after a controversial goaltending sequence.
Dallas filed a formal protest with the league, requesting to replay the final seconds, and Cuban gave a heated postgame interview and sent a series of tweets criticizing the officiating.
Neither approach was effective -- the league denied the protest and fined Cuban $500,000 -- but the Mavericks’ drive to close out in the final minutes Wednesday was.
“It’s a lot easier to learn from a win than it is from a loss,” Brunson said. “It’s a lot better feeling.”
