Hello, Win Column! Doncic's Big Night Powers Mavs Past Thunder
After losing two consecutive games – with the most recent one being a brutal blowout at the hands of the Chicago Bulls – the Dallas Mavericks desperately needed to get things back on track at American Airlines Center against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.
The last time these two team met up, the Thunder made a historic comeback after being down 16 points with under four minutes remaining in regulation. Despite yet another furious OKC comeback attempt in the final minutes of Monday's game, Dallas ultimately came away with the 121-114 win. The Mavs improved to 14-13 on the season, and the Thunder fell to 11-16.
After taking Saturday's second night of a back-to-back off, Luka Doncic was back in action on Monday and picked up right where he left off. He led the way for Dallas with 38 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists while shooting 13-27 from the field, including 3-10 from deep. OKC guard Lu Dort always presents a tough, physical challenge for Doncic, but he wasn't able to slow down the MVP candidate ... at least not enough to get his team the victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who put up 38 points in his last outing against the Mavs, one-upped himself by scoring 42 points on 14-23 shooting from the field, including a perfect 13-13 from the free-throw line. With the way SGA has played this season, he's likely to find himself in the All-Star game.
Doncic got some help in the win, as Spencer Dinwiddie and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 20 points apiece, including a combined 10 3-pointers. Reggie Bullock, who has struggled mightily shooting the ball this season, was the only other Mavericks to score in double-figures with 12 points on 3-4 shooting from deep.
Next up, the Mavs will get a day off before playing their second game of the current three-game homestand against Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. It will be the first time the Mavs have faced the Cavs this season, as well as the first time they've faced Mitchell since their first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz last season.
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