Copyright: dpa
Drew Eubanks (left) and CJ Elleby (middle) could not stop Luka Doncic (right) and the Dallas Mavericks on April 8, 2022 (local time).
The playoffs are just around the corner and some teams are still fighting for the last starting places. The Dallas Mavericks shine against Portland especially because of their best player Luka Doncic.
The Dallas Mavericks scored a clear 128:78 (68:44) home win over the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA. The Texans remain fourth in the Western Conference after their sixth win in seven games.
With a record of 51:30 wins, the Mavericks can still edge out the Golden State Warriors (51:29 wins) in third place. Dallas can no longer slip, giving the team home advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Doncic and the Mavericks with a clear victory over Portland
The Mavericks dominated the first quarter against Portland on Friday (April 8, 2022) and were up 23 points after 12 minutes. The best Mavericks player was star Luka Doncic (23) with 39 points, eleven rebounds and seven assists. The Slovenia international hit seven threes.
However, Doncic also conceded his 16th technical foul this season. The 23-year-old will be suspended for a game and the Mavs will miss the last game of the main round. German international Maxi Kleber (30) missed the game with an ankle injury.
Kevin Durant (33) led the Brooklyn Nets to a 118-107 (62-54) home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Nets superstar provided the top scorer of the game with 36 points. After their third straight win, the Nets edge the Cavaliers out of seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
Brooklyn Nets win vs. Cavs: Possible pairing in ‘Play-In Tournament’
Both teams could face each other in the so-called “Play In” tournament, the winner of that duel will qualify for the playoffs. As seventh, the Nets would be allowed to play a home game against the eighth.
The Los Angeles Lakers stopped their series of eight games without a win without their stars LeBron James (37), Anthony Davis (29) and Russell Westbrook (33). The Lakers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder at home with 120:101 (56:52). Even before the game, it was clear that the Lakers would miss the playoffs this season. (dpa)
