The Dallas Mavericks are 0-2 with a 95.2 offensive rating, 115.8 defensive rating and a -20.6 net rating while navigating a post-Luka Doncic transition without Kyrie Irving. Anthony Davis leads Dallas in points, rebounds, steals and blocks. The starting five lacks a true point-guard creator and rookie Cooper Flagg is averaging 14 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 1 SPG while shooting 37% overall and 33.3% from three. The Toronto Raptors are 1-1 with a 116.5 offensive rating, 110.6 defensive rating and a +5.9 net rating. Toronto missed closing chances due to poor free-throw shooting, Brandon Ingram leads scoring and rebounding, Immanuel Quickley has tightened perimeter play, and Scottie Barnes held his own physically against Giannis Ante.
"The post-Luka Doncic era is off to a rocky start for the Mavericks. After a 125-92 home blow-out to the San Antonio Spurs, followed by a 117-107 loss to the Washington Wizards - both teams that missed last year's play-in - the questions are mounting. They're also without Kyrie Irving, which isn't an excuse when you're being overpowered by teams in similar spots last season. Interestingly, Anthony Davis is doing everything: he leads Dallas in points, rebounds, steals and blocks,"
"and is second only to D'Angelo Russell (by 0.5) in assists. Still, the bigger issue: the starting five lacks a true point-guard creator, and rookie Cooper Flagg (the 2025 No.1 pick) has had flashes - 14 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 1 SPG - but only shoots 37% from the field and 33.3% from three. The hope: give D'Angelo Russell meaningful minutes (he's averaged just ~12 per game through two contests) to spark the offence."
Read at Raptors Republic
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