Sports writing (USA), Nov 29 (EFE).- The Slovenian Luka Doncic sealed this Tuesday a triple double of 41 points, twelve rebounds and twelve assists in the 116-113 victory of the Dallas Mavericks against the Golden State Steph Curry’s Warriors, and equaled, at just 23 years old, the German Dirk Nowitzki with 20 games with more than 40 points in the Texan franchise.
Doncic achieved the fifth triple double of his season and led the Mavericks to victory after four consecutive losses, against the Warriors in which Steph Curry scored 32 points and offered an intense and spectacular duel with the Slovenian star of the mavs.
At 23, Doncic matched a Mavericks legend in Nowitzki, who reached 40 points 20 times in his 21 seasons in Texas. The Slovenian did it in his fourth year and is two games away from the absolute record of Mark Aguirre, active in the 80s and 90s.
He was accompanied by Tim Hardaway Jr, with his best game of the season. He had 22 points, including five 3-pointers, while Spencer Dinwiddie was ejected for a flagrant foul early in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors came back from behind 17 points, but fell short and could not reward the great performance of Curry, who finished with 32 points and five triples.
The current champions lacked success from the triple, only eleven of 25, and the second best scorer was Jonathan Kuminga, with 14 points. Klay Thompson did not go beyond five points and missed the last triple, which could force overtime.
DONCIC AND CURRY EXCHANGE NOTICES
With Kemba Walker on the bench, signed this Tuesday after the termination of the contract of the Argentine Facundo Campazzo, the Mavericks started in the best way, with a 12-2 that reached 23-6 when Maxi Kleber supported two points on the board.
Doncic already had eleven points and six rebounds after the first quarter and was close to double double at halftime, with 19 points and eight rebounds, but the Warriors rallied after a troubled first quarter and increased their defensive intensity until they took the lead at 51- fifty.
Interestingly, the comeback was fueled by Steve Kerr’s rotations, with Donte Di Vincenzo setting the example with his defensive effort to limit the Mavericks.
Steph Curry was also on fire, who arrived at the break with 16 points and with the game in balance (55-54 for the Texans).
DONCIC, DOMINANTE
Doncic kept stepping on the gas early in the third quarter and hit two consecutive 3-pointers that allowed the Mavericks to take an eight point margin again, but on the Warriors, Curry was quick to respond.
With the match in balance the tension increased and Spencer Dinwiddie, who had fourteen points, ended up ejected for a flagrant foul early in the fourth period.
The Mavericks were ahead 94-91, but the Warriors took advantage of that moment of nervousness to take a 100-96 lead with two straight dunks, one from Kuminga, after a great steal from Di Vincenzo, and another from Jordan Poole.
Doncic already sported a triple double and continued to lead the Mavs by the hand with a three-point shot with 3.07 to play that drew a cheer from the American Airlines Center for the 108-104.
A new exchange of blows was opened, with Curry who sealed a tremendous triple for 110-108 and Hardaway who connected another shot from the arc for 111-110.
The Mavericks reached the last minute with a three-point lead and Curry had the tying ball, but committed ‘steps’. Finney Smith’s one of two from the free kick line offered the defending champions one last chance.
However, Klay Thompson’s 3-pointer, released by Draymond Green, was parried through the rim and handed the victory to the Mavericks.
The Warriors fell after three consecutive victories (tenth, 11-11), while the Mavs ended their four-game losing streak and now have a record of 10-10 (ninth place).
