DALLAS, TEXAS – In their final home of the regular season the Mavericks defeated the Raptors 114-110.
It’s almost time to close up shop on the Mavericks regular season with just 1 game remaining and this season has been everything but easy. The Mavericks are now 6-1 over their last 7 games which is the push they needed to plant their feet on steady ground in the playoff race. This team came together at the most important moment of the season, when things got close in the playoff race, they didn’t fold or fade, once this found their fiery chemistry, there was no looking back.
What has improved during their span of success has been their start in the first quarter, and that streak continued tonight. The Mavericks were middle road statistically, but their defensive effort was at the forefront of their play and set the tone the Mavericks needed.
Jalen Brunson caught fire in the first quarter off the bench scoring 7 points on shooting 100% from the field including a corner three point shot. Kristaps Porzingis and Dorian Finney-Smith played the biggest role converting on 57% of their shots in the first quarter scoring 10 points combined. Luka Doncic was a magician putting his teammates in prime position to score the basketball finishing the quarter with 4 assists.
Dallas finished the first quarter with a 31-26 lead over the Raptors and shot 48% from the floor and found success from beyond the arc. When the offense flows and the Mavericks respond on the defensive end, they are at their best and that has led to their late season success.
It didn’t take long for the Mavericks to separate themselves going into the second quarter because of how deep they could go to get production. 9 players got on the board for the Mavericks and two players finished the first half scoring in double figures. The two players that finished in double figures were Jalen Brunson and Kristaps Porzingis who combined to score 30 of the Mavericks first half points. The Mavericks also dominated from beyond the arc converting on 8 of their 15 three point shot attempts.
Dallas finished the first half on a run and led the Raptors 66-52 points going into the half. The Mavericks have had some success gaining momentum and building substantial leads in the second quarter to close out opponents early and typically that is an early sign of victory.
Like in their last matchup the Mavericks found a way to increase their lead to 20 points early in the third quarter, leaving their foot on the gas and not letting up. Dallas was aggressive going to the basket as well, converting on 7 free throws in the quarter and 2 of those free throws were a result of flagrant foul committed against Dwight Powell. The Raptors made things uncomfortable for the Mavericks in the late part of the third quarter bringing the Mavericks lead to within 9 points at the end of the quarter.
The Raptors continued to press the Mavericks well into the early parts of the fourth quarter having their most efficient quarter of the night. Dallas struggled from the field but found success late from the three point line and lifted them when the Raptors got within 3 points of the lead. Dorian Finney-Smith led the charge in that effort converting on 2 three pointers in the fourth quarter after making 2 in the first half increasing his point total to 17 points. After a great night of scoring, distribution, and cleaning the glass Luka Doncic finished the night with his 11th triple-double of the season leading all players in the NBA. 4 Maverick players finished the night scoring more than 15 points and 9 players scored more than 5 points which made for a great combination to seal things up against the Raptors to secure the Mavericks playoff clinching win.
Despite an up and down season, the Mavericks have made due with less than fortunate circumstances. The Mavericks overcame injury troubles, Covid 19 health and safety protocols, and rotation issues, but still managed to secure a spot in the postseason. In some aspect, the Mavericks are beginning to look like that dark horse team that comes out of nowhere, and the team they face in the playoffs should be ready for a fight.
