Title: Raptors’ star-stopping defence can’t slow Luka Doncic, and other takeaways from a trip-ending loss to the Mavericks
Date: November 16, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about a tough Raptors loss to the Mavericks, highlighting Luka Doncic’s dominance, Pascal Siakam’s rough night, and more.
Sometimes, transcendent offence can beat even the best defensive efforts.
The Toronto Raptors’ five-game road trip had, until Saturday, been defined by their defensive performance and resiliency. Most notably, they’d made a habit of shutting down stars. LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard had their worst offensive nights of their seasons against a shorthanded yet whirring, aggressive, trapping Raptors defence. Damian Lillard had his lowest scoring output in years.
Luka Doncic was another story.