The Dallas Mavericks have ended their losing streak. Thanks to an outstanding performance by Luka Doncic, they won against the Golden State Warriors 116:113.
Dallas Mavericks (10-10) – Golden State Warriors (11-11) 116:113 (BOXSCORE)
In the rematch of the last Western Conference Finals, the Slovenian scored 41 points (14/27 FG, 4/9 3FG, 9/15 FT) and 12 assists and rebounds each, plus 4 steals – it was his fifth triple-double with at least 40 points, only five players in NBA history have more. It was also his 20th 40-point game – which brought him level with Dirk Nowitzki in Mavs history.
However, Doncic has been less than partially on his own in recent weeks. In particular, Tim Hardaway Jr. finally caught a good game again and scored 22 points, Spencer Dinwiddie delivered 14 and Josh Green coming from the bench 13 points. Maxi Kleber also came off the bench, for the Würzburger 6 points were noted in 25 minutes.
With the Warriors, Stephen Curry was by far the best point collector (32), but not quite as efficient as usual (11/24 FG, 5/14 3FG). Otherwise, the bank players, including Jonathan Kuminga (14, 10 rebounds), were particularly convincing. As an exception, the starters of the dubs had much bigger problems in this game and all of them had a negative plus/minus value.
Golden State never found the touch from downtown (11/43 three-pointers) over the game, which looked better with the Mavs (15/44). The Warriors also lost 18 turnovers (Dallas: 13) – both of which should catch up with the champion in the final minutes when they almost won the game.
Dallas Mavericks explode in the first quarter
Mavs coach Jason Kidd stayed with the same starting five as in the Bucks game: Doncic alongside Dinwiddie in the backcourt, plus Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith and Dwight Powell. Reggie Bullock was available again, but came off the bench. With the Warriors, the usual five opened the game.
The much better start, however, belonged to the Mavericks. Doncic was in a good mood right from the start, and the role players finally got a few threes, six in the first quarter (only two for the Warriors). Dallas quickly gained a lead of up to 17 points, at the end of the quarter it was 36:24 after Doncic placed a bank shot in the basket just before the siren.
However, a bench lineup quickly brought the Warriors back into the game, with Anthony Lamb in particular notable with two three-pointers and a hook shot (11 in total) and just before the half-time break a Kuminga dunk even gave the Warriors an interim lead, which Doncic finished quickly (55:54 Dallas at break).
Mavs vs. Warriors: Suspense until the final seconds
In the second half, a similar picture emerged for a long time: In the third quarter, Dallas was better again against the Warriors starters, but could no longer pull away. In the fourth quarter, the Dubs were in front at times, but never with more than 4 points. It remained extremely exciting until the final minutes, also because both sides repeatedly made mistakes and took the chance to pull away properly.
With three minutes left, Doncic put Dallas on +4, and the next two baskets were three-pointers from the Warriors. Doncic found Hardaway for a three, then put Josh Green on +3. Curry hit the next layup, then it was Doncic again, beating Andrew Wiggins and sent the helping Curry down before his middle-distance throw – 115:112 with one minute left on the clock!
Then it got wild again. Kleber committed an off-ball foul giving the Dubs possession after a Curry free-throw hit and a chance to take the lead – but a weak Jordan Poole missed from outside (9 points, 3/9), as did Hardaway at the other end . Curry made another step mistake, Klay Thompson (5, 2/9) also missed a three point for a potential equalizer. Finney-Smith scored the final point of a wild play at the free-throw line.
