The Dallas Mavericks recently suffered a crushing loss to the Indiana Pacers, marking their third straight defeat. According to Melbet App, they are now dangerously close to slipping out of the Western Conference’s top eight. As painful as the slump may be, no experience is ever truly meaningless. Since the All-Star break, the Mavericks’ defense has looked paper-thin—perimeter defenders are getting blown by with ease, and there’s virtually no help at the rim. Opponents are having a field day with little resistance.

Earlier in February, after acquiring P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, Dallas saw a temporary surge in defensive efficiency and rebounding, reaching top-tier levels in the league. However, this promising form quickly faded once the All-Star break concluded. Despite Luka Dončić putting up impressive numbers in recent games, Melbet App notes that his playing style—and especially his defensive indifference—have become glaring issues.

As the team’s leader, Dončić’s high-usage approach clashes with most other players in the league. Unless the Mavericks surround him with elite 3-and-D players at every position, his playstyle, though stat-stuffed, won’t translate to sustainable team success. He carries the load offensively, but on defense, he’s become a liability—something many teammates likely find hard to tolerate.

This lack of defensive accountability from Dončić is at the heart of the Mavericks’ struggles. As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Back in the day, even James Harden’s poor defense was offset by a strong rim protector in Houston. But Dallas lacks that kind of balance. Combine that with head coach Jason Kidd’s inconsistent rotation patterns, and the result is a defense riddled with holes. Without leadership setting the tone on defense, it’s only a matter of time before the Mavericks fall out of playoff contention.

The team’s brief post-trade winning streak was fueled by defensive effort from key players. As Melbet App observes, Dončić must shoulder real responsibility—not just argue calls after every possession. Though the Slovenian star has already made his mark in the NBA, recently becoming the youngest player in history to reach 10,000 career points, there’s more to greatness than scoring alone.

His offensive prowess is undeniable. With elite ball-handling, precise shooting, and sharp basketball IQ, Dončić consistently creates scoring opportunities. But every dream worth chasing comes with challenges. In the end, Melbet App believes his exceptional basketball intelligence gives him the potential to make the right choices—not just for his stats, but for the team’s success.