The Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night reached their sixth straight win of the season, but it wasn’t easy.
The Mavs needed Luka Doncic to score 51 points against the San Antonio Spurs, in addition to a well-known play on the last drive.
Doncic still had nine assists and six rebounds, while Christian Wood added 25 points and seven rebounds. On the other hand, Keldon Johnson scored 30 for the Spurs.
The Mavericks had control of the match for most of the time Despite Being away from home. The Spurs even opened seven points in the first quarter, but the visitors quickly pulled over.
Then, Doncic scored four straight points for Dallas to lead by 24 to 23. Then, he made another five and the Mavs won by 29 to 25. The Slovenian produced 20 of his 51 points just there.
Early in the second half, San Antonio turned 36-35 after a basket by Doug McDermott. Neither team was able to take advantage and, at the end of the first half, the Mavericks led by 64 to 60.
Then, on the return of the break, Doncic made it 72 to 66. Meanwhile, Johnson tried to put the Spurs back in front. However, Christian Wood and, later, Tim Hardaway Jr, hit threes and Dallas led by 80 to 68.
Wood extended the gap to 17, but San Antonio reacted and dropped to eight shortly after. Spencer Dinwiddie put the Mavs ahead 109-100, but the Spurs got back into the game.
Jakob Poeltl cut it to four, but Doncic made another three on the next move. The difference plummeted to one and the last few minutes were hotly contested.
Whenever Dallas scored, the hosts followed suit. Poeltl hit two free throws, but the Mavs were still leading, 122 to 121.
Frank Ntilikina left at 124 to 121, and then Jeremy Sochan converted his free throws to bring it down to one again. However, on the way out, the Spurs pressed, stole the ball, but failed in the attempt to turn around.
Doncic made two free throws for the Mavericks, and then Tre Jones was fouled. He got the first one right, but missed the second becauserer.
On the rebound, the ball bounced back to Jones, but he was fouled by Davis Bertans with two seconds left. The San Antonio point guard hit the first, but missed the second, which would tie the match.
