On the NBA court, there are always some teams like catfish in the deep sea, inadvertently stirring up the peace of the entire basketball ocean.
The Dallas Mavericks are just such a team that has gradually emerged during the season, and they have quietly become a force to be reckoned with in the league with their indomitable fighting spirit and increasingly tacit lineup.
Looking back at a recent matchup, the Dallas Mavericks host the Houston Rockets at home. Before the game, the Rockets were on an 11-game winning streak but were on a four-game losing streak and desperately needed a win to boost morale. The Mavericks, on the other hand, have won 13 of their last 15 games and are in hot form and high morale. However, the course of the game was far from as simple as predicted before the game.
At the beginning of the game, the Rockets dominated the game and launched a wave of 28-9 attacks, which was eye-catching. The Mavericks seemed to be caught off guard, trailing by a full 15 points in the first quarter. However, the Mavericks weren't deterred by this, and they fought back in the second quarter. Although the Rockets extended their lead to 22 points at one point, the Mavericks trailed by just five points at halftime thanks to the excellent play of the Eastern European pair.
In the second half, the two teams entered a tug-of-war, with the score rising alternately, and the scene was extremely stalemate. Until the final moment of the game, the Mavericks dragged the game into overtime with Exum's three-pointer at the buzzer. In overtime, Irving and Doncic teamed up to help the Mavericks win 147-136 over the Rockets.
This match is the epitome of the Eastern European pair's gradual improvement. The tacit cooperation between Irving and Doncic, as well as their outstanding performance at key moments, let fans see the infinite possibilities of the Mavericks to win the championship. Irving's ability to maintain such an efficient performance during Ramadan is not only due to his personal efforts and the team of professional chefs equipped by the Mavericks, but also inseparable from the deepening understanding between him and Doncic.
Doncic has been in great shape since returning from injury, and he has always stepped up at critical moments to contribute a stable and efficient play to the team. His versatility and ability to read the game is reminiscent of the great players of all time. As NBA celebrity Perkins said, Doncic has become one of the most dangerous players in the West, and his presence has given the Mavericks a lot of confidence on the road to the championship.
However, Doncic's technical foul in the game for cheering after causing Dillon's foul also made people sweat for his future. The total number of technical fouls this season has reached 16, meaning he faces a one-match ban. This is undoubtedly a huge blow to the Mavericks, but it also reflects Doncic's dedication and passion for the game.
The strong rise of the Eastern European group has allowed the Mavericks to steadily improve their record and establish a new style of play in the league. They are quick to defeat the enemy, and if there is a god outside the three-point line, the team's three-point shooting percentage has been maintained at a high level. This style of play not only makes it difficult for opponents to adapt, but also allows the Mavericks to always have an advantage in the game.
At the same time, the Mavericks also showed good strength on the inside. Although they suffered a big loss in rebounding against the Rockets, that didn't overshadow their advantage on interior defense and offense. The Mavericks have always been able to contribute consistent scoring to the team through aggressive scrambling and accurate shooting.
Today, the Mavericks have quietly become a powerhouse in the West. They have moved to fifth place in the West, just two wins away from the fourth-place Clippers. With little left in the regular season, they have every chance to move up the rankings even further.
More importantly, the rise of the Mavericks has also disrupted the championship landscape of the entire league. Several strong teams that were originally favored now have to re-examine this emerging opponent. The Mavericks' youth, energy and strength have made them a new force in the league, and Doncic has finally waited for a chance to win the regular season MVP and championship.
Overall, the strong rise of the Eastern European duo and the overall progress of the Mavericks have made the championship landscape of the entire league even more confusing.
In the days ahead, we are confident that the Mavericks will continue their momentum and that the Eastern European duo will continue to write their legends and become heroes in the hearts of fans in the coming days.