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Luka Doncic is one of the best players in the NBA today, and as his Dallas Mavericks teammate Jalen Brunson said it, his presence alone has a huge impact on the team.
Speaking to the media on Monday ahead of the Mavs’ Game 2 showdown against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, Brunson described Doncic as a player with an incredible “gravitational pull”–attracting not just one but several defenders that then opens the court for his teammates.
Jalen Brunson with a great thought on Luka Doncic, said he has an incredible “gravitational pull.” Watch the defenses and you know what Brunson is talking about.
— Eddie Sefko (@ESefko) May 24, 2021
For those who watched Game 1 that saw the Mavs take a 113-103 win over the Clippers, that “gravitational pull” was obvious in the final quarter.
After scoring 30 points in the first three quarters of the contest, the Mavs star had only one point in the final frame. However, that was because the Clippers tightened the defense on the Slovenian guard and even sent multiple players just to stop him from punishing them.
Nonetheless, that strategy backfired, with other Mavs players taking advantage of the lack of coverage Luka Doncic made for them. Jalen Brunson benefited the most, scoring nine of his 15 points of the game in the closing period.
Of course, the Mavs can’t expect the same in Game 2, with the Clippers already strategizing on how to limit Doncic. LA head coach Ty Lue has even hinted that Kawhi Leonard will have more defensive coverages on the youngster after focusing more on Kristaps Porzingis in the previous contest.
Considering that, Brunson and Co. must step up once again and help alleviate some of the offensive load from Doncic. Porzingis will also be crucial as he hopes to register a big game this time around with all the focus on his running mate.
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