Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving Combine For 82 Points in Mavs' Wild Win Over 76ers
Heading into Thursday night's nationally televised matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Dallas Mavericks were hurting, given that they had lost five of their last six games.
Despite the stormy weather outside of American Airlines Center, the Mavs finally found a ray of sunshine, as they blitzed the Sixers in the third quarter en route to a 133-126 win. Dallas improved to 33-31 on the year, while Philadelphia fell to 40-22.
Before this win, the Mavs were 1-4 in games Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving had played together since the big trade last month. However, the star duo shined early and often at AAC as they combined for 82 points in what was a wild offensive affair.
Doncic led the way with 42 points, four rebounds and 12 assists on 13-22 shooting from the field and 7-13 from the 3-point line. Irving finished with 40 points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals while shooting 15-22 overall and 6-8 from deep.
It was the first time in Mavs' franchise history where two players both crossed the 40-point mark.
After leading by just four points at halftime with a 71-67 score, the Mavs poured it on the Sixers in the third quarter, outscoring them 39-24 in the period.
Despite building a lead as big as 25 points at one point, Dallas gave the home crown flashbacks of last weekend's collapse against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Sixers fought back to within five points in the final minute of the game, but Doncic and Irving were able to stem the tide.
The Sixers' trio of Joel Embiid, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey didn't come up with a win on the second night of a back-to-back, but they certainly didn't appear to be fatigued based on their hot shot-making. Embiid finished with 35 points on 13-21 shooting. Maxey and Harden finished with 29 and 27 points, respectively.
Next up, the Mavs have a star-studded date with the new-look Phoenix Suns on Sunday. It's Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving vs. Kevin Durant Durant and Devin Booker in a nationally televised game that will tip-off at noon CT on ABC. The Mavs and Suns' rivalry was already amped up, but the addition of Irving and Durant has added yet another interesting layer.
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