Doncic’s Off Night
The Dallas Mavericks encountered the San Antonio Spurs, where Luka Doncic had an off night with a notable streak of missed shots. Despite Doncic’s difficulties, Kyrie Irving came to the forefront, scoring 28 points and leading the Mavericks to a close 113-107 win over the Spurs. This victory marked the Mavericks’ sixth win in their last seven games.
Tough Start for Doncic
Doncic struggled with his shooting throughout the game, particularly in the first half, where he went just 3 for 13, contributing only 11 points to the scoreboard. Despite his scoring woes, Doncic showcased his playmaking skills, racking up 11 assists and aiding the Mavericks in securing a nine-point lead at halftime.
Spurs’ Brief Surge
The third quarter witnessed a challenging period for Doncic as he missed his first six attempts, allowing the Spurs to briefly seize the lead. However, the Mavericks mounted a comeback in the final two minutes of the quarter, culminating in Doncic sinking a critical three-pointer with just 2 seconds remaining, giving the Mavericks a crucial seven-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Mavericks’ Fourth-Quarter Response
The Spurs initiated the fourth quarter with a strong push, going on an 11-2 run to regain the lead momentarily. However, Irving stepped up for the Mavericks, scoring 10 points in the quarter, complemented by Dante Exum’s significant contributions off the bench, including two crucial three-pointers, ultimately securing the Mavericks’ victory.
Doncic’s Triple-Double Achievement
Despite his shooting struggles, Doncic managed to record a triple-double, tallying 18 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds. This marked his 18th triple-double of the season, setting a new personal single-season record. Alongside Doncic, Irving led the scoring with 28 points and 7 rebounds, while Exum provided a boost off the bench with 16 points, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc.
Efforts from the Spurs
On the Spurs’ side, Victor Wembanyama encountered difficulties, going 3 for 13 from the field. However, he still managed to contribute with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Tre Jones led the Spurs in scoring with 22 points and 9 assists, while Devin Vassell added 19 points and 6 rebounds, despite the team ultimately falling short against the Mavericks’ resilience.(Lvbet)
