WASHINGTON – Rick Carlisle was asked before Friday’s game how Kristaps Porzingis has been able to take the alpha-dog role in the absence of Luka Doncic.
By the second quarter, the question had turned to how to keep Porzingis on the court at all.
Foul trouble has not been a frequent concern of the 7-3 Porzingis, or really any Maverick, this season. But after he picked up his third in the second quarter, then his fourth early in the third quarter, Porzingis spent large chunks of time glued to the bench.
And because of that, a lot of other snafus and Bradley Beal’s greatness, the Mavericks’ superiority complex on the road took a hit.