Rockets' Defensive Game Plan for Luka Dončić Backfires Amid Loss to Mavericks: 'We Wanted to Guard One-On-One'

Houston Rockets' Ime Udoka had a defensive game plan for All-Star guard Luka Dončić, which backfired amid blowout loss to the Mavericks.

Mar 31, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots the ball as / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON -- An under-hand two-pointer over the top of Jabari Smith Jr. at the start of the third quarter wasn't even the most outrageous shot Luka Dončić hit inside the Toyota Center. The Houston Rockets' 11-game win streak ended amid a 125-107 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Sunday night.

Houston had no answer for Dončić, who recorded his fourth-highest point total of the season with 47 points on 18 of 30 shooting from the field, 9 of 16 from behind the arc, while the Mavericks extended their respective winning streak to seven.

But despite his scoring performance, coach Ime Udoka never wanted to send a double-team due to his versatile skill set as a playmaker.

Mar 31, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots the ball as / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

"Because of his size and passing ability, the way he can pick apart the gym, he can get other guys involved," Udoka said. "He gets other guys going. We wanted to guard one-on-one and force him into tougher shots. That was the objective.

"I think we were kind of back on our heels and made it a little bit too easy early. We wanted to rely on our one-on-one defense and didn’t really have to work for it."

Udoka was adamant about relying upon their one-on-one defense. But perhaps the early foul trouble the Rockets faced may have played a role in Dončić's scoring output.

Truly. This is total nonsense. I have no idea how someone can make this shot on an NBA court. Luka Doncic is insane. https://t.co/Qky2TJs4X9 pic.twitter.com/efmoV3SdTl

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) April 1, 2024

Amen Thompson has established himself as Houston's best on-ball defender during their 11-game win streak and began the night guarding the five-time All-Star. Unfortunately, Thompson played 2:29 during the first quarter due to picking up two early fouls.

Thompson's absence allowed Dončić to score 22 first-quarter points. The rhythm he established resulted in him scoring 32 points at the half, where Houston trailed 66-45.

However, the scoring performance Dončić displayed against Houston should not have come as a surprise. With another 41-point game against the Rockets earlier in the year, Dončić came into the game averaging 41.2 points over the previous four games while shooting 49.8 percent from the field.

"He’s a great player; great players are going to make shots even when you defend well," Thompson said. "We’ve got to cut his water off earlier next time."

Dončić scored all 47 points during the first three quarters. However, the MVP candidate did not have a one-dimensional game. He added 12 rebounds in the win while recording seven assists and two steals in 32 minutes.

His playmaking allowed the Mavericks to finish the game shooting 55.6 percent from behind the arc, 51.6 percent from the field. Houston allowed Dallas to connect on 24 triples, while Kyrie Irving accounted for four en route to a 24-point night.

Houston's Play-In Tournament hopes took a hit due to the loss. They fell two games behind the Golden State Warriors for the 10th and final spot in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament. The Warriors extended their respective winning streak to five following their 117-113 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Dončić proved to be too much for the Rockets. However, his most outrageous shot of the night did not even count. During the team's warmups before the start of the second half, Doncic nailed a trick shot off the Toyota Center's video board, which left his teammates and coaches in awe.

"I love it; It makes all of us lock in a little bit more and just be complementary," Irving said. "One thing I’ve learned being on very special teams, great teams, you got to be able to play every role...When he’s being that efficient, he’s being that aggressive, it’ll open up more opportunities for us."