Luka Doncic Dominant as Mavericks Cruise Past Kawhi Leonard, Clippers

Luka Doncic posted 42 capabilities on 16-of-28 shooting (6-of-11 from three-point fluctuate) because the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 105-89 at dwelling in American Airways Center on Wednesday.

All five Mavericks starters scored in double figures with Kristaps Porzingis adding an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double. Dallas shot 50.6 p.c from the field.

Paul George led L.A. with 28 capabilities, and Kawhi Leonard contributed 20 more for the Clippers, who played with out place to starting up guard Patrick Beverley (knee) and middle Serge Ibaka (abet).

The 21-18 Mavs led 77-71 going into the fourth quarter and by no methodology led by fewer than six capabilities in the rest 12 minutes en path to their sixth expend in eight video games. The 26-16 Clippers web lost five of seven video games.

Famous Performances

Mavericks PG Luka Doncic:  42 capabilities, 9 assists, 6 rebounds

Mavericks C Kristaps Porzingis:  11 capabilities, 13 rebounds

Mavericks G Josh Richardson: 14 capabilities, 5 rebounds, 3 steals

Clippers F Paul George:  28 capabilities, 7 rebounds, 5 assists

Clippers F Kawhi Leonard:  20 capabilities, 7 rebounds, 7 assists

Clippers C Ivica Zubac:  14 capabilities, 7 rebounds, 3 steals

Luka Magic Strikes All as soon as more

The Mavericks’ 9-14 commence is great in the rearview mirror now. The team is getting wholesome on the apt time, and Luka Doncic is taking part in MVP-degree basketball for a awful squad shifting its methodology up the Western Convention standings.

The Clippers had nearly no likelihood to stay the scorching-sizzling Doncic on Wednesday night, and he became as soon as glorious on both ends. As well to to his efficient scoring night, he also had five combined steals and blocks, nine dimes and 6 boards.

He became as soon as a human highlight reel as soon as as soon as more as a Dallas expend became a mere formality down the stretch.

He casually pulled up for three to web Dallas going early on.

Doncic mechanically got the simpler of a wide title defender in George. On this instance, it became as soon as en path to finding Porzingis for a lob:

He took care of alternate himself with a four-point play.

Doncic did no longer want great dwelling to operate Wednesday night. He took just appropriate thing a few swap between George and Reggie Jackson to hoist a deep three when given reasonably of breathing room.

And now and again he accurate created his hold path to web teammates for more highlights, treasure this lob to Maxi Kleber for a jam:

Nonetheless finally, Doncic became as soon as the wide title of the conceal, and this became as soon as arguably the appropriate moment of all of them:

The Mavs are literally 12-4 of their closing 16 video games. They uncover some distance more treasure the team that gave the Clippers a escape for his or her money no topic accidents (and questionable officiating) in closing 365 days’s playoffs than the franchise that began so slowly this 365 days.

With Doncic, something might maybe perhaps perhaps be imaginable in 2020-21. Nonetheless for now, the Mavs are centered on stacking wins in the 2d half of of the 365 days.

What’s Subsequent?

Dallas will consult with the Portland Toddle Blazers for a two-sport dual carriageway predicament starting Friday at 10 p.m. ET. L.A. is headed dwelling to face the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET.