Opinion: Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic envisioning series win over LA Clippers, Kristaps Porzingis envisioning NBA title

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Only minutes removed from winning his first NBA playoff game, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic sensed the team’s 127-114 Game 2 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday had more implications than tying the series at 1-1.

“Any series we go in, we’re going to believe we can win it,” Doncic said. “If you don’t believe it, then you’re not supposed to be here. You better believe it.”

Dallas Mavericks center Kristaps Porzingis sure believes it. He also was only minutes removed from winning his first NBA playoff game, but he already has imagined what it will be like to hold the NBA’s Larry O’Brien trophy.

“I try to hype myself up that I’m already a champ,” Porzingis said. “I’m supposed to be there.”

Upon hearing those comments from his star players, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle might feel compelled to reiterate what he said in his postgame press conference. Then he noted that after winning a playoff game “you get an exuberant feeling so you can’t let human nature get the best of you and soften you up for the next game.”

That will serve as practical advice for Game 3 on Friday. Yet, Doncic and Porzingis shared an ambition that not only seems realistic to obtain at some point in their NBA career. It seems plausible this could happen pretty soon.

Why not even this year amid an NBA landscape that is completely wide open with championship contenders, such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers, struggling to adapt in the bubble? After all, both Doncic and Porzingis showed how quickly they can grow from one playoff game to the next.

Doncic finished with 28 points on 8-of-17 shooting, eight rebounds and seven assists, which technically marked a drop off from the 42 points, nine assists and seven rebounds he recorded in Game 1. But when Doncic looked at the box score, he only looked at his turnovers (one) because it marked a substantial drop off from what he posted in Game 1 (11). Doncic still struggled with foul trouble (five), but he has become used to the increasing physicality.

“I still have to do a way better job with that, but it’s something you have to get used to,” Doncic said. “I already experienced that in Europe. It’s going to be every game like this. You just have to get used to it and be OK with it.”

Porzingis finished with 23 points while going 7-of-13 from the field, 3-of-4 from deep and 6-of-8 from the free-throw line, which marked a stark improvement than what happened two days ago. Then, Porzingis had 14 points on only 3-of-9 shooting before getting ejected with 9:10 left in the third quarter after collecting a second technical when he intervened between Doncic and Marcus Morris Sr. Porzingis collected a technical earlier for delivering an air punch out of frustration with a call. Then Dallas struggled defensively without Porzingis as the Clippers closed out the third quarter with a 21-11 run.

It appeared Dallas might play again without Porzingis, who was initially listed as questionable after feeling soreness in his right knee in Game 1. He had also missed 10 games this season because of a similar injury. The Mavericks eventually upgraded him amid constant treatment in the pool. Not only did Porzingis look healthy. He played with more composure.

“The four months off kind of helped me. I had some stuff going on throughout the season like 90% of players. So it was good,” Porzingis said. "But for me to be able to play in this game was a surprise to me. I thank our medical staff and physical therapists for putting in how many hours yesterday.”

The Mavericks obviously envisioned Doncic, 21, and Porzingis, 25, would become special. Dallas traded its No. 5 pick and a 2019 protected first-round pick to Atlanta for the No. 3 pick to draft Doncic two years ago after starring professionally in Slovenia. The Mavericks acquired Porzingis last season from New York in a blockbuster trade after his career-high season (22.7) eventually soured amid a left knee injury and frustration with the Knicks’ dysfunctional front office. When the Knicks drafted him at No. 4 in 2015, they were rightfully intrigued with his potential as a stretch five that can make outside shots, command the post and defend.

Hence, it appeared the Mavericks' fortunes would largely rest on their play. As they showed in Game 2, however, the Mavericks' stars have played well with their teammates to make them feel empowered.  

When Doncic collected his fifth foul as the Mavericks held a 98-85 lead with 11:37 left, Carlisle sat him so he could save him for crunch time. As Doncic noted, “I was frustrated for 15 seconds. Then I was focused on supporting my teammates.”

Unlike when Porzingis was ejected early in the third quarter in Game 1, the Mavericks absorbed Doncic’s absence. When he checked back into the game at the 4:26 mark, the Mavericks held a 118-105 lead over the Clippers. Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr (17 points), Trey Burke (16), Seth Curry (15) and Boban Marjanovic (13) kept things afloat. 

“It’s hard for me not to be with my team. But we won the game,” Doncic said. "Maybe if I don’t pick up that foul, we don’t win the game.”

Not so fast. The Mavericks believe they have enhanced their depth partly because of Doncic’s influence.

“On the floor, he’s developing into such a great leader,” Carlisle said. “It’s not all about the triple doubles. It’s also about how great players like him give them confidence and how they direct traffic and keep people in the game.”

Will all of these qualities become enough to win an NBA title, let alone upset the Clippers in the playoffs? Play Game 3 on Friday first. Paul George could very well overcome his poor shooting night (4-of-17). Clippers defensive specialist and agitator Patrick Beverley could return soon from a strained left calf. Perhaps the whistles don’t go the Mavericks way. Or perhaps the Clippers play like contenders again.

“It’s not an easy road. Obviously it takes a lot of experience that you probably you have to go through,” Porzingis said. “I haven’t seen a team that just is smooth sailing all the way .... In the end, you have the whole package to win it all.”

Still, Doncic and Porzingis have shown promising signs they have that whole package. With their on-court play and honest words, they seem determined and capable of perfecting that body of work pretty quickly.

“I believe we are heading in the right direction to gain the experience and to move in the direction to win it all,” Porzingis said. “But it’s not a free year for us. We want to give out 110% out there. Then we’ll see. Maybe we can surprise people. Humble confidence is good for us.”