Published by: AK98

Hoopdini done did it again.

Dallas Mavericks 127 – Los Angeles Lakers 125

Last night, the “Houdini of Hoops” aka Luka Doncic put on a show for NBA fans worldwide as his Dallas Mavericks beat the reigning In-Season Tournament champs, the Los Angeles Lakers; at one point, throwing a no-look pass that looked like a kid having a coin pulled from out there ear by their pop-pop.

In a closely contested NBA game on Tuesday night in Dallas, the Dallas Mavericks emerged victorious, outlasting the Los Angeles Lakers by a score of 127-125. This marked their fourth win in a row, achieved despite the challenge of having played against the Memphis Grizzlies just the night before. The Lakers, who were riding high from their recent victory in the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, found themselves behind late in the fourth quarter; unable to get a needed bucket to seal the deal.

Anthony Davis was the game’s highest scorer with 37 points/11 rebounds. LeBron James contributed significantly with 33 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, while Austin Reaves added a valuable 22 points and eight assists coming off the bench.

For the Mavericks, Doncic impressed with another +30/15 game, filling up 33 points and 17 assists in last night’s stat column. It’s a rather remarkable performance considering it was the team’s second game in as many days. Tim Hardaway Jr. continued to bolster his case for the Sixth Man of the Year award with 32 points as a substitute. Dante Exum was efficient, scoring 26 points on 8-of-10 shooting (while also being on the end of Luka’s behind-the-head “coin trick” pass).

Here are some of the key takeaways from last nights game:

Halftime Advantage: The Mavericks have yet to lose a game this season when leading at halftime. Their record stands at 10-0 in such situations, showcasing their ability to maintain leads and make comebacks when necessary.
Three-Point Success: Despite the absence of several key players, Exum and Hardaway excelled from the three-point line, collectively sinking 12 threes, just three fewer than the entire Lakers team. Their combined contribution of 58 points was pivotal to the Mavericks’ win.
Doncic’s Playing Time: Over the past two games, Doncic has played a total of 87 minutes, a substantial amount in a short period. With Kyrie Irving injured, the onus has been on Doncic to lead the team. However, with the Mavericks’ upcoming game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, there is speculation about whether Doncic will play, given the demanding schedule and his extensive playing time.

Who do you think has the best chance to come out of the West?

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