Luka Doncic stalled a late Sacramento Kings (3-3) rally with a 3-pointer to cap a game-high 23-point performance as the host Dallas Mavericks rebounded from an embarrassing loss at Denver two days earlier for a 105-99 (31-22, 22-25, 29-25, 23-27) victory on Sunday afternoon.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
22
|
| Luka Doncic | |
| Points | 23 |
| Accuracy | 10-21 |
| Rebounds | 8 |
| Assists | 10 |
Doncic also found time for a game-high 10 assists and team-high-tying eight rebounds for the Mavericks, who shot 44.4 percent from the field after having been held to 29.5 percent in the 106-75 loss to the Nuggets on Friday.
Richaun Holmes recorded a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double for the Kings, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.
After leading by as many as 15 in the first half and still up 12 with just 8:13 to play, the Mavericks found themselves in a one-possession game before Doncic nailed his first 3-pointer in six tries for a 95-89 lead with 4:03 to go.
The Kings got no closer than six after that, with Tim Hardaway Jr. saving four of his 16 points for the final 2:27.
The Mavericks led most of the way after exploding out of the gates to a 17-3 lead in the first 3:50. Dwight Powell, Hardaway and Maxi Kleber contributed a 3-pointer apiece to the early burst.
Dallas led by as many as 15 in the period before the Kings began chipping away. They got within 53-47 by halftime, then used six points by Harrison Barnes, including a dunk, to grab a brief advantage at 60-59 midway through the third period.
A 3-pointer by Buddy Hield with 4:53 remaining in the game allowed the Kings to hang within 92-89 before Dallas got the better of the finish.
Dorian Finney-Smith had 13 points, while Powell and Frank Ntilikina added 12 apiece for the Mavericks, who improved to 3-0 at home.
Despite Doncic's struggles from long range -- he wound up 1-for-7 -- Dallas outscored Sacramento 36-21 on 3-pointers.
Barnes finished with 15 points, De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton 14 apiece, Tristan Thompson 13 and Hield 11 for the Kings, who had opened a four-game trip with wins at Phoenix and New Orleans.
Mavericks: Luka Doncic 23 (9/14 2PT, 1/7 3PT, 8 REB, 10 AST), Tim Hardaway 16 (4/11 3PT), Dorian Finney-Smith 13 (4/7 2PT, 1/6 3PT, 6 REB), Dwight Powell (8 REB) & Frank Ntilikina 12 each.
Kings: Richaun Holmes 22 (8/14 2PT, 13 REB), Harrison Barnes 15 (4/8 2PT, 1/8 3PT, 10 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL), Tyrese Haliburton & De'Aaron Fox (4/12 2PT, 8 REB) 14 each, Tristan Thompson 13, Buddy Hield 11 (3/12 3PT, 8 REB).
Luka Doncic's performance
Highlights
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