After six defeats in a row, the Dallas Mavericks have won again. In the 122:11 victory, not everything went smoothly, especially in the final phase it became unnecessarily exciting again. Once again, Luka Doncic, who played a double-double, was outstanding.
Atlanta Hawks (10-11) – Dallas Mavericks (9-13) 116:122
Six Mavs players scored double-digit points, which has not been a matter of course in the past few weeks. An important push came at the beginning of the fourth quarter when Luka Doncic paused on the bench. Jalen Brunson (12 points, 4 assists) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (22, 8/15 FG) were the driving forces in this phase. Otherwise, as always, Doncic was the engine of the Mavs, the Slovenian finished the game with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 14 assists.
Kristaps Porzingis (24, 10/20 FG, 11 rebounds) didn’t hit much from distance, but still put on a good double-double and delivered an important tip-in in crunchtime after the Hawks had another exciting final offensive had made. Maxi Kleber (8, 5 boards, 2 blocks) was particularly noticeable after the change with a good defense, while Josh Richardson (14) successfully chased Hawks star Trae Young. J-Rich also received a lot of support, the Mavs doubled the playmaker at every opportunity and took the All-Star almost completely out of the game.
Thanks to a good final section, Young finally had 21 points (8/18 FG) and 9 assists. John Collins (35, 12 rebounds) used the many free spaces, as did Danilo Gallinari, who only played 21 minutes due to a minute limit and scored 19 points. Clint Capela (10, 14 rebounds) put on a double-double, otherwise Kevin Huerter (21, 10 assists) showed an appealing performance for the Hawks.
Dallas Mavericks make life difficult for Trae Young
The Mavs started focused on defense and booked three steals in the first five minutes. Young was put under massive pressure by Richardson and Dorian Finney-Smith, which resulted in slight points in transition. Otherwise, however, not much came together, as in previous games, the three did not want to fall (2/10), but the guests led after a quarter with 26:22.
With the Hawks, Young had not taken a throw and accumulated two fouls in six minutes. Atlanta was lucky that Gallinari shouldered a lot and was already at 10 points. The hosts were now in the game, Young found his big men with praise, with Capela in particular causing problems for the Mavs. Doncic sank his first three with the half-time siren and stood at 17 points, but the Hawks went into the cabins at 56:53.
Atlanta’s final offensive comes too late
The long throws did not fall after the change, instead it was defense again that generated offense for Dallas. Young, frustrated, picked up a technical foul, the point guard was repeatedly hard doubled and found no rhythm. In the meantime, the game was broken up with many fouls. Collins and Gallinari produced for Atlanta, while Hardaway Jr. had the hot hand at Dallas (11 points in the quarter, 3/3 threesome) and thus played an 88:83 lead before the final section.
Together with Brunson, the Mavs put down a run and earned a double-digit lead for the first time. Dallas finally hit the threesome better and led with 15 points just under four minutes before the end before a quick run by the hosts made it ticklish again. Young from downtown punished a completely unnecessary loss of the ball by Hardaway Jr., 42 seconds before the end it was suddenly 115: 112.
Porzingis calmed the guests’ nerves with a tip-in, and Richardson and Hardaway finally cleared the line.
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