CAMDEN, N.J.–As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for a matchup with the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at home, the focus for Philadelphia will be on stopping Mavs star Luka Doncic who is one of the dynamic and brightest stars in the league.
On the season, Doncic averages 28.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.6 assists while shooting 34.1% from deep and he is able to knock down tough shots in big moments and make sure his team comes out on top.
In the first matchup between the two teams back in February, Doncic had 33 points, 15 assists, and 13 rebounds to lead the Mavs to a 107-98 win over the Sixers at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
In the rematch, Matisse Thybulle discussed how to defend Doncic as he gets set for Round 2.
“There’s no slowing him down because he moves at a snail’s pace,” laughed Thybulle. “But just being physical with him. He’s such a big guard, the small movements he does is all he really needs to create advantages. So for me being like a slimmer, quicker guy, just try to be physical and keep him on his heels a little bit.”
Thybulle and Doncic met in the Bronze medal game in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and Thybulle had three steals and a block in the game to help Australia knock off Slovenia. Doncic had 22 points on 7-for-20 shooting with eight rebounds, seven assists, and eight turnovers.
Thybulle was able to use physicality against Doncic and make life tough on him.
“The physicality and Euro League basketball far supersedes what happens in NBA just because (of) their willingness to let fouls happen,” said Thybulle. “Just the physicality. It’s one thing to be able to hit him as a defender, but it was also nothing for him to hit back as an offensive player so it created for some pretty heavy blows, but it was a really fun battle just because of the different defensive schemes we can throw at him and just how the game kind of changes in that aspect.”
Thybulle and the Sixers will prepare for the Mavs at 7 p.m. EDT from the Wells Fargo Center.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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