Cavs: 3 players to watch in second 2019-20 matchup vs. Mavericks

Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic has had an incredible start to his second NBA season, and normally, I’d not be highlighting stars in these sort of articles, but Doncic, as a player in only his second season, seems to be a fair exception right now.

He’s currently putting up 29.9 points per game on 62.5% true shooting, and that scoring clip currently has placed him fourth in the NBA, as NBA.com illustrates.

Just like the first meeting between these two teams, I’d expect Beilein and the Cleveland Cavaliers to put the likes of Cedi Osman and rookie wing Kevin Porter Jr. on Doncic mostly. In addition to that, considering he’s given the Cavs a bit of spark in their last two games, veteran forward Alfonzo McKinnie could feasibly be a primary defender on Doncic for some stretches.

Once again, though, I wouldn’t expect Cleveland to provide much resistance, even with Tristan Thompson seemingly back in the fold.

Doncic can finish in all three levels with the best of them and has an outstanding handle that enables him to get seemingly wherever he wants on the floor, and free throws often come for Doncic with his ability to break down defenses, seemingly at will right now.

Coupled with that, when help comes, Luka will find players such as Seth Curry (who is questionable due to illness), Porzingis, Kleber, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jalen Brunson for open catch-and-shoot looks. He’ll also hit Delon Wright on cuts a fair amount, too.

In this one, the Cavs will have to scramble; additionally, Doncic is putting up 9.4 assists per game, which is second in the league, and again, with his 6-foot-7 size, he’s so hard for the undersized Cavs to pressure.

Considering Cleveland conceded 20 three-pointers on a 48.8% clip in the first meeting, I wouldn’t exactly expect lockdown perimeter defense this go-round on the road, either.

Anyhow, Doncic is also putting up 10.6 rebounds per game, too, which is only 0.9 less than Philadelphia 76ers’ star big Joel Embiid.

This statistic, per Mavs PR on Wednesday, says it all in regards to Luka’s current MVP case. Objectively, he’s pretty darn fun to watch, for opposing fans when they play him, too.

Luka’s ability to grab-and-go, and also get easy baskets and dishes after leakout steals, will be tough for Cleveland to account for over the course of this one. Cleveland’s been prone to silly turnovers, and with the length of Dallas, that will make Doncic even more dangerous.

In a matchup that could get away from the Cavs on the road, Luka’s wizardry could be a bright spot for fans of the Wine and Gold at least. Calls from Austin Carr about that should bring some laughs, too.

Now on to a player on the Cavaliers that needs to respond from a tough outing in Miami.