On the basketball court, sometimes that's the case, you can act like Superman, try your best or fail. Doncic and his Mavericks teammates met with that fate in the game against the Clippers. 64 points! You heard it right, it's 64 points, two people combined to score an amazing score, but they still couldn't lead the team to victory. Now let's talk about the game and uncover the story behind it.
On the day of the game, Doncic's state can be described as a rocket, and he ran all the way to score more than 30 points. But even so, his performance in the first half still felt like he didn't wake up, only 1 of 7 three-point shots, and 4 of 13 shots overall, which is also sweaty. Although he rebounded in the second half, the sluggish performance in the first quarter put the Mavericks at a disadvantage from the start.
And that's not the biggest problem. Doncic's defense, ahem, this old problem is once again put under a magnifying glass. Watching him chase his opponent on the field, it's often like he can't catch up with the bus, it's always a little bit close. Clippers stars Harden and George seem to be on the hook, and they take turns to break down Doncic's defense and make the Mavericks' basket attack after attack.
Speaking of which, I have to mention the strategy of the lone ranger. In the middle of the season, they brought in two defensive stalwarts, Gafford and Washington, hoping to strengthen the defense. When Doncic and Gafford started together, the team had an astonishing 18-1 record. This gives people hope, but in this crucial playoff game, the Mavericks' defense is still that weakness.
At the end of the game, the Mavericks ended in disappointment. The combined offense of Harden and George, combined with the Mavericks' own defensive holes, made this game a classic example of a high-scoring winless streak. Fans watched the scores refreshed one after another on the scoreboard, and their hearts were complicated. Doncic's super-performance seems to have been completely offset by a lack of defense.
This game is not just an ordinary loss, it could also be a major blow to Doncic's MVP path. At this level of competition, every little detail can be the key to the final victory. Doncic's offensive power is undoubtedly top-notch, but if he can't improve on the defensive end, then even if he stands on the MVP podium again in the future, people may question the value of this award.
Watching Doncic's post-game interview, you can feel his helplessness and determination. He knows that only by developing holistically can he become a true leader. And for the Mavericks, this game may be a wake-up call, and they will need to work harder on defense to go far in the fierce playoff game.
In conclusion, the game is full of lessons and revelations. Doncic and the Mavericks will need to continue to hone and improve in the days to come. For fans, although the game was lost, it also showed Doncic's indomitable fighting spirit. For us ordinary viewers, this is not just a basketball game, but also a vivid teaching material on how to face challenges and keep improving.