VIDEO: Mavs Preseason Wrap-Up: The Good, the Bad and The Luka
DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks' preseason is a wrap. The Mavs are now “Focusing on the Washington game,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “That’s all I can tell you.'' OK. But the handful of preseason games can also tell you something ... and they deserve a quick video review from our Dalton Trigg.
The bad news: Dwight Powell and his hamstring. Powell is continuing his rehab after having missed all of camp and all of the preseason games.
Dallas isn't ruling the prospective starter out of Wednesday's regular-season opener against the visiting Wizards. But it doesn't look good.
The so-so news: The Mavericks endured some turnover issues over the course of their five-game preseason, and in the first three outsings allowed more than 100 points in each.
But then came a pair of "dress-rehearsal'' games. the Mavs won them both - and held opponents OKC and the Clippers under 90 points.
This is going to be a high-flying, fast-paced, three-point-launching team. If it can also play a little defense? It can also be a playoff contender.
The good news: The Kristaps Porzingis marriage with Luka Doncic is a happy one - and Luka was pretty much unstoppable. Luka's preseason numbers: 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists in 26 minutes per, along with 42-percent shooting from the arc.
And his per 36 numbers? Luka was good for 28.5 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.7 steals.
Carlisle is making sure everyone is focused on Game 1 while also conceding, "We know we want to take a big step forward.''
Eliminate the "bad.'' Mitigate the "so-so.'' And lean on the "good'' in Luka and that "big step forward'' becomes easy to envision.
