Luka Doncic posted another superb performance against the New Orleans Pelicans last night and proved once again that he is a legitimate MVP contender this season.
Minutes before tipoff at Smoothie King Center, NBA great Reggie Miller who was commentating the game on TNT, was asked what he thought of Doncic’s heroics early in the season.
“I am not surprised. He is into that elite conversation and probably in a lot of circles the best point guard in the game. The question is who is going to check him tonight. As we go to the lineups, Jrue Holiday is in my opinion one of the best two-way players, and certainly defensive guards will get the assignment early. He has strong hands, number two in steals with 2 per game, it’s going to be a terrific matchup!” said Miller.
The Pelicans’ defenders began the game sharply focused on the Mavs’ star and their effort brought some results in the first quarter.
In less than five minutes of play, Doncic had a ball knocked away by Jaxson Hayes as he dribbled past the Pelicans’ center and a couple of bad passes intercepted by Brandon Ingram.
That didn’t faze out the 20-year-old Slovenian who caught his rhythm, started making shots and did a significantly better job controlling possession during the remainder of the game, committing only one more turnover.
Holiday finished the night as the hosts’ second-best scorer with 18 points, but failed to make a single steal in 37 minutes on the court.
