Denver Nuggets look to continue its momentum with a victory in Dallas

Force the officials to make calls for Luka Doncic

James Harden is a polarizing player. The 2018 MVP reached the love or hate level years ago. Not only does he incorporate moves that play with the law of physics, and the idea of what’s considered a traveling violation, but his game within the game with the officials dominate NBA conversations.

Luka Doncic, the rising star in Dallas, better yet, the entire league, flirts with some of Harden’s demeanor. However, unlike the Rockets’ shooting guard, he doesn’t get the same benefit of the whistle. If you compiled clips of Doncic getting knocked around by defenders, the playtime would rival the Titanic movie.

Doncic ranks fourth in NBA with 9.23 free throw attempts per contest. Yet, arguing he doesn’t get enough calls isn’t a foolish stance. The league seems to have adopted Chris Paul‘s annoyingly effective “foul them till the officials call it” defense. So much so, that Dallas Mavericks head coach, Rick Carlisle came to Doncic’s aid.

Carlisle’s candid statement:

"“Yeah, it’s been going on the entire season. . . Well, they’re beating the (expletive) out of him.”"

The officials can’t call every single hack and grab at the waist. Someone will get frustrated, whether it’s a technical foul on a fed-up Carlisle or a “ready for vengeance” Doncic. This game has a playoff preview feel. As such, postseason matches breed tension.

Now, of course, baiting the leader of the NBA’s best offense has its consequences. However, the Nuggets harbor plenty of long-and-bothering players and their attributes poise as an annoyance to Doncic. The Denver Nuggets’ chances of victory may very well lie in its ability to bother Doncic.