Doncic’s triple-double leads Mavericks past Thunder 104-102
DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had 20 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for his third triple-double in five games, and the surging Dallas Mavericks withstood a late run by the Oklahoma City Thunder to win 104-102 Monday night.
Dallas led by 22 points during the third quarter, but the Thunder cut a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit to two with 3.5 seconds left on Ty Jerome’s 3-pointer. Oklahoma City then fouled Josh Green with 2.9 seconds to go, and Green missed both free throws.
After the ball was advanced to the forecourt, Josh Giddey threw a cross-court inbound pass for Mike Muscala, but Tim Hardaway Jr. won the battle for the ball.
Dorian Finney-Smith added 17 points and 10 rebounds and Kristaps Porzingis had 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for the Mavericks (25-19), who have won three straight and nine of their last 10.
Doncic did most of his scoring at the free-throw line, where he hit 12 of 14. He was 4 for 17 from the floor, missing all six of his 3-point shots.
“I try to do other things better because obviously, I couldn’t make nothing,” Doncic said.
“He’s gotten great looks (from distance),” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “He’s just got to keep shooting them. That’s it. I think we’ve seen the best shooter in the world not make all his shots in (Steph) Curry.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points to lead the Thunder, who have dropped seven of their last eight games.
“It’s a testament for him to score a pretty efficient 34 when he’s getting guarded like that,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “An indicator that he’s learned how to find his cracks (in the defense).”
Giddey said he thought Muscala would be open for the final shot with the Mavericks concentrating on Gilgeous-Alexander.
After Dallas scored 13 straight points to take a 70-48 lead with 6:13 left in the third quarter, the Thunder responded with a 22-2 run — including 11 of Gilgeous-Alexander’s 15 points in the period — to close within 72-70 in the quarter’s final minute.
