Mavs Defeat Nets 129-125 In Overtime Thanks To Doncic’s Triple-double And 41 Points

SThe Dallas Mavericks weren’t deterred when Reggie Bullock’s shot was missed after Luka Doncic’s pass to him with a second left in regulation.

They executed their duties when their superstar teammate gave them opportunities because they knew he would keep doing so.

Doncic led the Mavericks to a 129-125 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night with 41 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds. He also assisted on three 3-pointers in overtime.

“We’re just trying to do the best we can to make his job a lot easier out there on the floor when he gives the ball up, and the only way you can do that is knock down shots and take them with confidence and make a play,” According to Tim Hardaway Jr.

In the extra period, Doncic assisted Hardaway, Maxi Kleber, and Bullock on 3-pointers as Dallas built a nine-point lead en route to its first victory away from home this season.

“Obviously, Luka is probably the best guy to make tough shots and make shots when they count, but he also knows when to make the right basketball plays,” Kleber said. “They were particularly aggressive with him as the game entered overtime, but he made the right play three or four times in a row despite their efforts. We simply got hot and made all those shots.”

Along the way to becoming the 10th player in NBA history to record three triple-doubles of at least 40 points, Doncic also made two baskets in overtime.

For the Nets, who have faced some of the NBA’s most dynamic players this week and lost each time, Kyrie Irving scored 39 points and Kevin Durant added 37. Ja Morant scored 38 points in Memphis first, followed by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 43 points on Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

This time it was Doncic, who had over 30 points in each of the first three games and now has his first 40-point game of the season, with his drives into the middle creating open looks all around him.

“When we attack the paint, we’re a very dangerous team,” Doncic said.

The Nets fell to 1-4.

“I felt like we did some good things tonight but it just wasn’t good enough,” Irving said.

When a fan threw what appeared to be a cup of ice that hit the court close to the Dallas bench in overtime, the game was briefly delayed.

With less than a minute left in regulation, the Mavs had a two-point lead and looked to have an insurance basket when Durant was called for goaltending on Doncic’s drive. The Nets tied the game when Ben Simmons stole the ball from Doncic and set up Durant for a dunk with 8.8 seconds left, but the call was reversed after a replay.

The following possession, Doncic handed the ball to Bullock, who missed a corner jumper.

But Doncic gave the Mavs the lead for good 16 seconds into overtime before finding Hardaway for a 3-pointer. Irving made two free throws, and then Kleber and Bullock hit back-to-back threes to increase the score to 123-114.

Simmons had seven points, eight rebounds, and four assists for the game. Despite shooting an airball on a close attempt in the first half, he equaled his point total for the season.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Dallas begins a five-game homestand that concludes with the Nets’ rematch on November 18. 7. … Following his absence from Tuesday’s loss in New Orleans due to right foot pain, Hardaway scored 18 points.

Seth Curry, a G League player for the Nets who hasn’t played this year due to recovery from surgery on his left ankle, worked out on Thursday. He’s getting closer to playing, according to coach Steve Nash, and the team will wait until Friday to see how he feels.

Source: https://www.basketballnews.com/breakingnews/doncic-has-41-in-tripledouble-mavs-beat-nets-129125-in-ot