Luka-Less Mavs a Make Statement With 120-116 Win Over Bucks

Without the help of their superstar Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks made a major statement with a road win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.

Without Luka Doncic, things looked grim for the Dallas Mavericks heading into their Monday night matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Despite Doncic being home and not at their disposal due to a sprained ankle, and despite the Bucks looking unbeatable in the midst of an 18-game win streak, however, the Mavs rose to the occasion, shocking the Bucks 120-116 on their home floor, and handing Milwaukee their first home loss since October 26. 

“The NBA is crazy,” said Porzingis. “Anybody can beat anybody, basically.''

According to @kporzee, it was a total team effort that led to the @dallasmavs' win over the Bucks!#MFFL pic.twitter.com/HO7quAeTCk

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) December 17, 2019

The scrappy Mavs group was led by Seth Curry and Kristaps Porzingis, each of whom made up for Doncic's absence in their own way, as they attempted to neutralize the effect of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished the game with 48 points and 14 rebounds on 18-of-31 shooting. 

Porzinigis responded with 26 points and 12 rebounds of his own, including a pair of deep threes from more than a combined 60 feet out. 

KP FROM WAYYYY DOWNTOWN! TWICE!@kporzee | #MFFL

GET TO A TV. TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR FAMILY. TELL YOUR RIVALS TOO. TELL THE NEIGHBORHOOD: https://t.co/nGNUM51SQM pic.twitter.com/2fHnD5UBKV

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 17, 2019

Curry followed suit, finishing with 26 points off of the bench, hitting 9-of-15 from the field and 4-of-8 from three in the contest. 

Maxi Kleber also added 10 points and seven rebounds, while Dorian Finney-Smith scored 15, and Jalen Brunson and Delon Wright put in 13 points each. 

As a team, the Mavericks shot well above the Bucks' league-best opponent field goal average of 41.3-percent, hitting 46.6-percent from the field, 39-percent from three, and hitting 22-of-27 shots from the free-throw line. 

According to @kporzee, it was a total team effort that led to the @dallasmavs' win over the Bucks!#MFFL pic.twitter.com/HO7quAeTCk

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) December 17, 2019

After the statement victory, the Mavs now move 18-8 on the season and 10-2 on the road, eclipsing their total for wins on the road in each of the last two seasons (nine) in the process. 

Dallas will return home to face the Boston Celtics (17-7) on Wednesday night, as they look to get revenge for their loss in Boston earlier in the season. After that, the Mavs will hit the road for a pair of tough games against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors, as their five-game Eastern Conference gauntlet comes to an end. But all that comes after staring the Milwaukee portion of the gauntlet right in the face ...

“An 18-game winning streak is a spectacular demonstration of how good a team is,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “The credit goes to our guys. They did a great job of digging in. I’m real proud of them.”