DALLAS -- Jason Kidd usually calls the regular season a marathon, but he amended his description for the Mavericks’ post-All-Star break schedule.
“A 22-game sprint.”
Dallas got the equivalent of a five-yard head start, with the 14-45 Spurs bringing a franchise record 14-game losing streak into American Airlines Center to begin a six-game home stand. The Mavericks’ 142-116 defensively challenged win wasn’t aesthetically great, but they didn’t stumble out of the starting block, either.
Thursday night also was a milestone of sorts, in that this was Dallas’ first victory with both Luka Doncic (28 Points) and Kyrie Irving (23 Points) on the court since the Feb. 6 trade that brought Irving from Brooklyn.
That it took 17 days mostly is a product of Doncic missing three games and Irving one, along with the weeklong All-Star break. Officially the Doncic-Irving Mavs are 1-2, and Kidd hopes this homestand can be a springboard like the past two seasons, when Dallas won eight of 10 games coming out of the break.
“This is a big homestand for us, to protect home, but it also would be a good time to have that [finishing] kick,” Kidd said. “But we’re still, with Kai, getting to know each other.”
Dallas led 99-90 after three quarters despite allowing 56.7% shooting, but with Doncic resting on the bench Irving led a 17-5 blitz to begin the fourth period and put the game away.
Recently signed free agent Justin Holiday not only made his Mavericks debut, but poured in 15 points in 21 minutes. It was only the third time he’s seen the court since Dec. 30, and in those two games as an Atlanta Hawk he totaled five points in 10:32.
Combined, Doncic and Irving were an efficient 16-of-29 from the field and had 16 assists.
The game’s start was delayed roughly 15 minutes due to condensation on the court. That’s not a barb at the Spurs, who are contending with Houston, Detroit and Charlotte for the Victor Wembanyama lottery sweepstakes. That word would be condescension.
Clearly, the trade of Dorian Finney-Smith to Brooklyn in the Irving deal has left the Mavericks defensively challenged while they await the return of Maxi Kleber. Starting center Dwight Powell certainly knows what Dallas’ focus needs to be.
“This is the time where we kind of get down to the nitty gritty as we go into the playoffs, the make or break in the playoffs are those granular details,” he said. “To answer your question, defense.”
The Doncic-Irving offensive force will carry Dallas on many nights like this one, and open things up for players like Holiday and Tim Hardaway Jr. (22 points) because as Powell says: “Because the gravity of those two is insane, to have them out there at the same time.”
Then again, most opponents won’t be San Antonio, which has the NBA’s youngest roster, with an average age of 23.6.
