Luka Dončić scored the ninetieth 30-point recreation of his profession and made a powerful case for MVP because the Dallas Mavericks blew out the visiting Memphis Grizzlies and fellow MVP candidate Ja Morant 137-96.
Dallas jumped out to a 39-17 first-quarter lead powered by 21 factors, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists from Dončić and was by no means critically threatened by the up-and-coming Grizz.
Dončić completed with 32 factors, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in simply 3 quarters of play.
Reggie Bullock and Dorain Finney-Smith had 28 factors every for the Mavs, and Spencer Dinwiddie and Tim Hardaway Jr. chipped in 23 factors a bit.
“I thought it was carry over from the last game. The guys paid attention to the details that we talked about,” mentioned head coach Jason Kidd following the win. “Luka and those guys set the tone in the first quarter by the paint touches. We got good looks, make or miss, and I thought defensively those guys set the tone too.”
The Mavs held the Grizzlies to 17 first-quarter factors on 30.4 p.c taking pictures from the sector and 18.2 p.c from the three.
“Directing traffic on defense is the most important thing,” said Dončić.
“Last game [opening loss against the Phoenix Suns], we harped on it at halftime, we blew a 20-point lead in Phoenix, and we didn’t want that again. So, we kept our foot on the gas, kept same energy, and defensively we were great today,” mentioned new addition Christian Wood.
The Mavs had 7 blocks and 7 steals in opposition to Memphis, nevertheless it was their play on the offensive finish that had the group standing.
Wood, in his first season with Dallas after being traded from Houston, had 22 factors and 12 rebounds.
“He’s been great. He’s a great player. He listens to us. He accepts his role, and he’s doing amazing stuff out there,” mentioned Dončić.
“I’m just trying to play hard. Do the best that I can,” mentioned Wood.
Next up for Dallas is a house recreation in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs.
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