Can they match their energy from a night ago?

The Mavericks continued the trend of getting up for the league’s best teams Thursday night when they secured a monster victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

The Mavericks made mistakes no doubt, but their effort and their desire to do the little things that help you win was there. And that was enough to overcome a substantial talent deficit.

Where they’ve had issues is bringing that same compete level against the lesser opponents. With all due respect to Cleveland Cavaliers, they certainly fit that bill.

We know that Colin Sexton will bring his intensity to the area…Will the Mavericks?

Can the team continue to support Luka?

Luka Doncic has carried this basketball team all year. That’s not an insult to his teammates…many of them have played their roles admirably, but this team is a little deficient in regards to explosive offense. It’s understandable Luka carries a heavy load.

That’s why it was so refreshing to see what transpired last night. In a rare “off” game for 77, one of his worst showings of the year, his teammates picked him up. Whether it was Tim Hardaway Jr. continuing his torrid shooting, Jalen Brunson’s timely buckets, or Finney-Smith’s resourcefulness, the “others” as they are affectionately known brought this one home.

Odds are, they’ll need to do it again. Especially on the second night of a back to back.

Can they make Colin Sexton inefficient?

Sexton has had a terrific season for the Cavaliers. He’s a bit small & not a *great* playmaker, but he can really fill it up on offense. And he does it from all three levels.

With running mate Darius Garland likely sidelined due to injury, slowing Sexton down really is the obstacle between the Mavericks and a win.

He can be inefficient at times and the Mavericks will need to expose that. If they can, they’ll win this one going away.