Luka Doncic scored 36 factors, turning into solely the second NBA participant ever with 9 consecutive video games of a minimum of 30 to start the season, because the Dallas Mavericks beat the Brooklyn Nets 96-94 on Monday evening.
Dorian Finney-Smith scored 18 factors and Josh Green had 16 for the Mavericks, who’ve received 4 straight video games.
Kevin Durant had 26 factors for the Nets, who led by 14 factors eight minutes in. Cam Thomas scored 19 factors, Royce O’Neal had 15 and Joe Harris added 14.
Doncic joined Wilt Chamberlain as the one gamers to attain 30 or extra factors within the first 9 video games of a season. Chamberlain did it within the first 23 video games of 1962-63.
Doncic performed 38 minutes and handed the 30-point mark on a step-back 3-pointer with 3 seconds left on the shot clock with 7:54 remaining within the fourth interval to tug Dallas to 78-77.
That started a 14-0 Mavericks run – together with a technical foul on Durant adopted by him jawing on the Dallas bench – for an 88-78 lead with 5 minutes left.
The Nets pulled to 92-91 on Thomas’ 3-pointer with 25.3 seconds left. Doncic made two free throws with 13.8 seconds to play for a three-point lead. Durant was fouled on the dribble with 11 seconds to go and pulled Brooklyn to 94-93 with two free throws. Finney-Smith hit two free throws with 9.8 seconds left to push Dallas’ result in 96-93.
Brooklyn inbounded with 6.7 seconds left and Durant was fouled by Reggie Bullock whereas making an attempt a 3-pointer. Durant hit the primary however rimmed out the second. He deliberately missed the third free throw, and Dallas got here away with the following scramble for the ball.
Brooklyn fell to 2-2 underneath performing coach Jacque Vaughn following the firing of Steve Nash final Tuesday, and 2-1 following the suspension of Kyrie Irving final Thursday.
No LeBron, identical downward spiral
Lauri Markkanen scored 23 factors and Jordan Clarkson fired in 22 because the Utah Jazz beat the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers 139-116 Monday evening in Salt Lake City.
Collin Sexton contributed 17 factors whereas Mike Conley added 14 factors and 12 assists because the Jazz received their third straight recreation. Utah, which had seven rating in double digits, defeated the Los Angeles Clippers on the street Sunday evening 110-102 earlier than returning residence.
Anthony Davis netted a game-high 29 factors and Russell Westbrook added 22 for the Lakers, who misplaced their third consecutive outing. Los Angeles performed with out three regular starters, together with LeBron James, who sat out as a result of left foot soreness. It was the primary time James missed a recreation this season.
Utah, by incomes its second victory over the Lakers in 4 nights, grabbed sole possession of the highest spot within the Western Conference at 9-3. The Jazz additionally improved their residence file to 5-0.
Clarkson bought the Jazz off to a sizzling begin, scorching the nets for 15 factors within the first quarter as Utah seized a 42-34 lead. The Jazz shot 68.4% within the opening interval en path to hitting 56.4% for the evening.
Westbrook stored the Lakers inside putting distance within the first half, when he scored 18 factors and helped trim the Jazz’s double-digit lead right down to 76-71 heading into halftime. Davis had 19 factors earlier than the break, whereas Clarkson topped Utah with 17.
Utah additionally scored 75 factors within the opening half in the course of the groups’ Friday assembly in Los Angeles.
The Jazz rapidly took a 10-point lead within the second half after lengthy jumpers by Markkanen and Malik Beasley (14 factors). Davis introduced the Lakers inside 92-85 with a three-point play, however the Jazz then dominated.
Former Laker Talen Horton-Tucker (15 factors) emphatically capped off a 16-5 run with a thunderous dunk that gave the Jazz their greatest lead on the level, 108-90, late within the third quarter.
The Lakers responded with six straight, however Utah completed the quarter on a 7-2 spurt, together with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Rudy Gay for a powerful 115 factors via three quarters.
Patrick Beverley (non-COVID-19 sickness) and Lonnie Walker IV (non-COVID-19 sickness) additionally missed the sport for the Lakers, who dropped to 0-4 on the street.
