Luka’s big night, ball movement, C-Wood top the takeaways

The subject was triple-doubles and Mavericks’ coach Jason Kidd was asked if he could remember his 50^th.

“March 23^rd,” he said. “I turn 50.”

Beyond the birthday, he couldn’t remember his 50^th triple-double, but for the record, it came in his 649^th game.

Luka Dončić did it in 278 games.

Only Oscar Robertson did it faster, 111 games. Magic Johnson needed 279 games.

So when Luka posted 33 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in the 127-99 blowout of the Denver Nuggets, it was another historic moment for the superstar point guard. He’s rewriting the history books, Kidd said. It also may have reinforced in Luka’s mind the value of rest. He was a healthy scratch Wednesday against Houston and the fresher legs were obvious to everybody.

Dončić said he gives the same answer when he does something that gets him in the same sentence with Oscar or Wilt or any of the other one-name wonders.

“It’s great, amazing. I’m just really glad I’m here doing this.”

As are the Mavericks.

But believe it or not, there were other takeaways from the big rout of the Nuggets, such as:

C-WOOD BRINGS THE LUMBER: In four games since he returned from a knee injury, Christian Wood has averaged 22 points and seven rebounds while shooting nearly 58 percent (38.9 percent from 3-point range). He had a season-best 28 points against the Nuggets, including 13 in six first-quarter minutes when he helped get the Mavericks off to a proper start. Wood is growing into a more comfortable roll on a team that should be the first one Wood has ever played for that will make the playoffs. “Christian is just trying to play winning basketball,” said fellow big man JaVale McGee. “This is his first team that’s slotted to make the playoffs and go far in the playoffs. So, he had some moments where he reverts back to playing, I don’t want to say losing basketball, but not winning basketball. He’s extremely professional. He works every day and he’s a scorer. He can score that thing. It’s really impressive just seeing his growth.”

DEFENSE SHOWS UP: The Mavericks now have kept four opponents this season under 100 points. They are 3-1 in those games. Only Milwaukee has more games when their opponent has been kept below 100 points (five times). The Mavericks are up to fifth in overall defensive rating.

SHARE THE WEALTH: The ball was popping against the Nuggets. The Mavericks had a season-best 29 assists, which probably was a big reason why they had their best shooting percentage of the season (59.7 percent). The ball movement created a lot of easy looks and their points in the paint (64) also marked a season high. This continues a trend that the Mavericks should embrace. It’s four games in a row when they have had 20 or more assists and their season average has jumped to 20.4 helpers per game. That’s still last in the NBA, but not as incriminating as when they were averaging 19 dishes a week ago.

Twitter: @ESefko