The Mavs (2-5) take the loss following the first overtime game of the season to in-state rival, San Antonio Spurs (4-2). Luka Doncic led the way with a career-high 31 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes of play.

After dropping four games in a row, the Mavs are still figuring out their own identity and for us fans, we continue to learn. With that said, here are three things we learned from tonight’s overtime loss to the Spurs.

Turnovers won’t win games

The Mavs committed a season-high 22 turnovers on the second game of the back-to-back set. One could be quick to blame the young backcourt, but a lot of credit should go to the experience-heavy San Antonio Spurs.

“We had an uncharacteristic number of turnovers tonight,” Rick Carlisle said in his post-game interview. “Although it was a hard-fought game that didn’t end in our favor, we played good despite tonight being the second game of a back-to-back.”

The Mavs need a closer

No, we’re not talking baseball lingo here. The Mavs can’t close games these days and tonight’s game was a perfect example. Their chemistry was non-existent and everyone looks lost, but we can all assume this has everything to do with youth in our ball handlers.

The Spurs have two bonafide veterans who know how to close games and that was evident in this game. DeRozan and Aldridge are no strangers to the pressure that comes in close games. That was the difference tonight. DeRozan was fed the ball and he came through when it mattered most. He closed the overtime game with ease and Wesley Matthews couldn’t do a thing to defend him.

DeAndre Jordan is and will be the anchor to this team all year long

Season No. 11 is off to a fantastic start for the Mavs starting big man. After opening the season with six straight double-doubles, tonight he fell two points short to make it seven in a row. DJ continues to lead the league in total rebounds with 106 and hopes to keep them coming as he averages 15.1 per game.

Much like Tyson Chandler, in the glory days of Mavs basketball, Jordan seems to hold a similar role. Coach Carlisle’s system thrives with an athletic big like him, so look for DJ to produce good numbers consistently, but beyond that, be a much-needed leader for this team.

The Mavs look to bounce back into the win column next in Los Angeles on Halloween night. Luka Doncic goes up against his idol, LeBron James, in their first matchup of the season. Tune in Wednesday night at 9:30 pm, CT. on Fox Sports Southwest.