DALLAS, TEXAS — After a tough loss on Wednesday the Mavericks redeemed themselves at home defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 116-101. Like their matchup in January the game was close throughout, but the team that did the most on the defensive end is the team that came out victorious.
The Mavericks missed their first three shot attempts after the tip while the Bucks did the opposite and got on the board scoring on their first two possessions of the first quarter. Not too long after the Mavericks shook the rust off and knocked down 5 shots consecutively with 2 of those shots coming from beyond the arc springing the Mavericks to take their first lead of the game. The Mavericks and Bucks tussled for the lead with neither team letting up and both teams put on a respectable defensive performance.
Dallas trailed at the end of the first quarter 31-29 marking their for the second game in a row where they trailed at the first quarter. When Dallas trails at the end of the first quarter they are 3-9 at home and 9-19 overall this season.
Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis came alive and the two combined to score 15 points and converted on 47% of their shots, and each starter scored two or more baskets which helped the Mavericks keep their head above water. Maxi Kleber who missed the previous game scored 6 points knocking down 2 three pointers which is the key area the Mavericks struggled with against the Rockets. Dallas finished the quarter shooting 40% and 30% of their three point shots which is a slight improvement from the shooting performance the previous night.
The Mavericks found a spark in the second quarter scoring on their first three shot attempts and grabbed their second and largest lead of the night. The Bucks continued to thrive on offense even without their 2x MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup knocking down 2 back to back three point shots to tie the game. The Bucks didn’t make it easy for the Mavericks to take a lead and run away with it, but neither did the Mavericks. The Mavericks did a great job during the entire half of not allowing the Bucks to get to the line by way of easy fouls which paid dividends and spoke to how sound the Mavericks played on the defensive end. Dallas managed to keep the game within reach and trailed the Bucks 55-56 to end the half.
Dallas finished the first half shooting 42% and Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis both finished the quarter with 13 points and converted on 52% of their shots from the field who were the primary producers for the Mavericks.
In the third quarter the stalemate continued and through three quarters the game was tied up 10 times and the largest lead margin either team held was 6 points. Like the first half it wasn’t the best shooting performance but the Mavericks clamped down on defense and made that the main focus. Dallas held a team that typically converts on 50% of their shots to a 44% shooting percentage and it made the difference. The Mavericks defensive effort led to a 12-0 scoring run and a 80-72 lead with two minutes remaining in the third quarter. It didn’t take long for the Bucks to respond and went on their on 14-0 nothing run to end the third quarter taking a 84-80 lead.
The Mavericks offense all night had its ups and downs on the offensive end and after scoring their first 2 baskets their offensive production dipped and the Bucks took advantage and took a 5 point lead early in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks responded in a big way and their offense came alive at the right time. Dallas had their best shooting performance of the night in the fourth quarter converting on 52% of the shots from the field and their highest scoring quarter. Kristaps Porzingis got his wish tonight and played more minutes and he delivered. KP scored 11 points and knocked down all of his shot attempts in the quarter and helped the Mavericks develop a double digit lead and buoyed the Mavericks to a win at home after suffering a tough road loss just last night. Luka and KP were the catalyst in tonight’s win scoring a combined 53 points converting 53% of their shots from the field and most of their roster got some solid minutes in.
It was a gutsy win for Dallas tonight. After the many lead changes, ties, and deficits, the Mavericks found a way to win and erase all thought of the loss they suffered to the Rockets on Wednesday night. Dallas will have a small break before they play in their next back to back against the Spurs another in-state rival on Sunday and Monday.
