Luka Dončić ‘No Jordan,’ Mavs star torn for not passing the ball in the 5th game defeat | Bleacher report

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Michael Gonzales / NBAE via Getty Images

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić has been criticized for his offensive approach in the 5th game of the team’s second playoff round against the Phoenix Suns, with a 110-80 defeat.

Dončić finished the game on Tuesday night with 28 points with a shot 10 out of 23 with four turnovers and only two assists in 35 minutes. The loss on the road pushed the Mavs to the brink of elimination as they trailed the Suns, 3-2.

Andrew Perloff @andrewperloff

Luka Dončić has not added a single pass to several consecutive possessions. There’s no way the Mavs will win this way.

Steve @fuzzycardinal

I wonder if he knows @ luka7doncic pass? He’s not Jordan, but he seems to take every hit.

The triple All-Star played both of his assists in the first quarter. He didn’t shoot another one in the last 36 minutes as Phoenix retired.

Doncic and his teammate in the backfield Jalen Brunson also combined 40 of the team’s 71 attempts (56.3 percent).

Hauns Peter @HaunsPeter

I have never seen a team that has passed less than @dallasmavs in game 5. Obviously @ luka7doncic and @ jalenbrunson1 would rather play 5 on 2. #NOIinTEAM

In the Dallas keeper’s defense, their teammates didn’t exactly fire up at the scoreboard when given the chance. The rest of the list shot just 25.8 percent from the field (8 out of 31).

However, it is somewhat of a catch-22, as it can be argued, it is difficult to find a rhythm as a shooter without consistent touches at the end of the attack.

Here is another reaction to Doncic’s decisions in the attack in the fifth game:

Grizwald @NBA_Grizwald

Luka Dončić is an amazing player and a top 10 imo, but the style of the ball that the Mavs play with him is questionable in the best of 7 series. We’ve seen a lot of superstars with the dominant ball, but the Mavs have to find a way to involve others. Too many punches from Luke.

Stefan Schröder @RealStefanS

Luka Dončić took the controversial step back three after holding the ball for several seconds and as the only one who touches it in attack he will not win this match. Just saying. #DALvsPHX

Jason Rudder @Bionicmansoccer

Dallas will lose this game because Dončić chooses the shot badly all night and will not pass the ball no matter how many times he messed up the possession waiting until the hour for the shot goes down, forcing other bad decisions.

Todd McKim @toddmckimsports

Assuming you are talented enough to play in the NBA, would you like to play with Luka Dončić and touch the ball in attack twice in the quarter? One of those times you have to give it back to him.

Corn @Maize harvesting

Lmao, Finney-Smith was so bored waiting for someone to walk up to him that he was legal from the cold of his hands on his knees just looking. Openly, Dončić also wants to try all this on his own, so I guess that’s why they lose 😂

fin @1finney

Luka Dončić does not need help, he needs to pass the ball

Chris Bean @kingbell7777

@ luka7doncic Dude, you gotta have 4 more guys on the floor. Pass the ball! #NBAPlayoffs #NBA

Doncic is usually a far more willing distributor. He averaged 8.7 assists during the regular season, which was fifth in the NBA league, and counted 35 dinars in the first four games of the series.

No matter where the blame for the misunderstanding is in Game 5, the Mavericks will hopefully bounce their attack in a big way as they try to forge a comeback to advance.

The sixth game is scheduled for Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. So far, the home team has won every game in a row, and Dallas will try to keep that trend.

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