What if the Mavericks played their best basketball at the best time? It's quite possible, since Luka Doncic's teammates scored a 5th victory in a row last night. In addition, on the floor of a direct opponent in the race for the Top 6, synonymous with direct access to the playoffs. Back-to-back, like the Kings, the Mavericks are not far from having signed their best performance of the season with a 36-point victory!
After an observation round, marked by the Fox-Sabonis relationship on pick-and-roll, the Irving-Doncic duo gradually takes control of the meeting. The first breaks the lines with his dribbles, while the second punishes from afar. The Slovenian took advantage of the “mismatches” to punish the Sacramento defense, and at halftime, he was already at 26 points. All smiles, he allows the Mavericks to lead 58-53 at halftime. Daniel Gafford's quick mistakes and Derrick Jones Jr.'s injury exit were perfectly digested.
Kyrie Irving demonstrated
It was upon returning from the locker room that things took a turn for the Kings. Irving continues to cut up the defense, and he even allows himself to dunk in traffic! The Kings defense is on its heels, and the Mavericks are playing their basketball. In less than three minutes, Jason Kidd's men scored a 15-2 to take a 19-point lead (82-63). We expected a reaction from the Kings, but it did not come, and the Mavericks drove the point home with Tim Hardaway Jr. who struck from afar to give a 25-point lead (94-69).
All that remains is for the Mavericks to manage this lead, and it is again Hardaway who signs a 7-0 to kill the match at the start of the 4th quarter. Result, Kidd can open his bench wide, and Doncic can breathe throughout the 4th quarter. Final victory 132-96 for the Mavericks who overtake the Kings in the standings.
What you must remember
– Kyrie Irving dunk. For fans of unusual stats, know that Kyrie Irving scored his 5th dunk of the season last night, and it's quite simply his single-season record! At 32 years old, “Uncle Drew” has never looked so good in his sneakers since leaving Cleveland.
– The series continues for Sabonis. No 26th triple-double for Sabonis, limited to 9 assists, but a 55th double-double in a row with 12 points and 11 rebounds. In difficulty facing the long segments of Daniel Gafford and Derek Lively II, the Lithuanian thus equals the franchise record, which belongs to Jerry Lucas.
– Dallas in the Top 6. A pivotal match perhaps since the Mavericks steal 6th place from the Kings, who fall into the “play-in” zone. If they remain as serious, Kidd's players can aim higher since they only have two defeats less than the Clippers, currently 4th. A year ago, these same Mavericks let the season slip away…
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
