-DALLAS, TX – The Dallas Mavericks (25-24) fell to the Washington Wizards (21-26) 127-126 on Tuesday night in American Airlines Center.
Dallas ended the first quarter down 23-28. Luka Dončić had 15 points in the first quarter and the Wizards shot 57.1 percent from the floor helping with the four point lead.
The Mavs opened up the second quarter going on a 8-0 run, taking a two point lead and forcing a Washington timeout. Both teams continued to go back and forth the entire first half. The Wizards took a 65-60 lead over Dallas entering the halftime.
Both teams shot very well in the first half, shooting above 50 percent. The Wizards shot 57 percent while the Mavs shot 53 percent.
The Wizards were crashing the boards, out-rebounding Dallas 22-15.
The Mavs defense held Kyle Kuzma to just six points in teh first half. Bradley Beal led Washington with 11, and 26 points came off the bench for the Washington in the first half.
Dončić led all scorers in the first half with 22 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Spencer Dinwiddie had a quiet half after having some good games this week. In the last four games he’s scored 20 or more points. He only had four entering the half against the team he played for last year before the Wizards traded him for Kristaps Porzingis.
Third quarter got underway in AAC and both teams were neck and neck. They were knocking down shots on both ends of the floor but Dallas won the quarter outsourcing the Wizards 37-34.
Kuzma turned it up in the second half for the Wizards, he had 29 points with a little over six minutes left in the game.
Dončić led for Dallas with 35 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. Josh Green showed up off the bench for Dallas scoring 16 points for Dallas.
The fourth quarter was a battle all the way down to the final seconds of this game. Dallas was trailing by one or two possessions most of the quarter before Doncic got an and one with 2:47 left in the game tying the contest 119-119 before the free throw. Dončić made the three throw and the Mavs took aone point lead with two minutes left in regulation.
Dinwiddie corner three for a two point lead but the Wizards answered right back. Kyle Kuzma was then fouled and made 1-of-2 free throws to give Washington a one-point lead which led to the Wizards winning the contest.
We spoke to Spencer Dinwiddie after the game and he said it’s very simple, they have to do better on defense and make stops.
Luka Dončić finished the night with 41 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists.
Dwight Powell finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, and one assist.
Spencer Dinwiddie finished with 20 points, one rebound, eight assists.
