Another game and yet another record set by sophomore Luka Doncic.
The 20-year-old Slovenian knocked down a career-high 8 3-pointers, en route to a game-high tally of 35 points, including the dagger, a long-range bomb in the Mavericks victory over the Portland Trail Blazers:
DONCIC DAGGER. pic.twitter.com/YskazqX7ts
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) January 18, 2020
Along with his 35, he also recorded eight rebounds and seven assists to ensure the Mavericks maintained control of the game to win their 4th straight. This is the 18th game that Doncic has scored 30 or more and in those 18 games, the Mavericks have a record of 12-6.
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His contribution helped the Mavericks withstand Damian Lillard's 34-point onslaught (13-25 FG's).
Lillard also dished out 10 assists and received plenty of support in Hassan Whiteside (21p/18r) and Carmelo Anthony (22 points; 8-16 FG's), but it wasn't enough to spark the team to their third straight win after victories against the Charlotte Hornets and Houston Rockets.
For the Mavericks, Tim Hardaway Jr. supported Doncic with his 29-point outing. He made five triples and was an efficient scorer from the field today, knocking down nine of his 16 field goal attempts.
29 points. 5 3s. Win number 27. 🔥@T_HardJR | #MFFL pic.twitter.com/CLs1sec8UM
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) January 18, 2020
In the game, Blazers' guard CJ McCollum sprained his ankle and left for the locker room after playing 11 minutes. Nothing has been officially announced about his status but more could come tomorrow.
CJ McCollum said he wasn’t sure how serious the sprain was. He said the second day is usually the worst after a sprain, so he’ll have a better idea tomorrow. His ankle was wrapped but he was walking without crutches #RipCity
— Jamie Goldberg (@Jamiebgoldberg) January 18, 2020
This was 10th game that Kristpas Porzingis missed and the Mavericks are 6-4 in those games. More importantly, this recent win streak has brought them into contention once again for the West's second seed.
After this game, they are sixth in the West but are just 2.5 games behind the second-seeded Denver Nuggets.
