Luka Doncic continues MVP run by dominating Warriors

By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net

Luka Doncic had 39 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks moved past the Golden State Warriors 132-122 in Oakland. The Slovenian superstar continued his MVP run while the Mavs climbed to sixth place in the Western Conference standings.

Doncic produced 25 of his points in the second half and overall paced a highly effective offense that Steve Kerr admitted was too much for his team. “The defense struggled all night,” the Warriors coach said. “I mean, they scored 132 points and we just couldn’t stop them.”

Former EuroLeague guard Dante Exum was another part of the Mavericks’ weapons and the Warriors’ many problems, finishing with 19 points plus five assists.

Rudy Gobert delivered 13 points and 13 rebounds to help the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 108 – 106 on LeBron James’ 39th birthday.

LeBron sank a long-range jumper with the Lakers down 104 – 107 in the closing seconds of regulation that could’ve sent the game to overtime. While it looked like James stepped behind the 3-point line when he took the shot, the NBA’s Replay Center ruled out that it was a 2-pointer.

“It’s obviously a 3,” James said. “My foot is behind the line. I mean, you can see the space between the front of my foot and the 3-point line. You can clearly see a white, the wood on the floor. There’s a space in between the front of my foot and the 3-point line. So, you know, Stevie Wonder can see that, champ.”

James finished with 26 points and six assists while Anthony Davis had 33 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves, dropping 31 points.

After an NBA record-tying losing streak of 28 (!) games, the Detroit Pistons finally won. Cade Cunningham put on 30 points and 12 rebounds to push the Pistons past the Toronto Raptors 129 – 127, marking an end to this historic skid.

Dennis Schroder had 30 points plus nine assists but neither he nor Pascal Siakam’s performance (35 points, five rebounds) was enough for the Raptors. Amid a trade exchange with the New York Knicks, Toronto didn’t have new arrivals RJ Barret and Immanuel Quickley whom the team acquired for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn.

“It was a very emotional day for everyone,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “I’m proud of the energy our guys had, taking everything into account.

“I also don’t want to take anything away from what Detroit did,” Rajakovic added “They played a really good game and hit some very, very timely shots.”

The rest of Saturday’s (30/12) NBA Results and notable Euro performers:

Utah Jazz – Miami Heat 117 – 109 (Simone Fontecchio 12 points/17 rebounds, Lauri Markkanen 12 points, five rebounds)

Indiana Pacers – New York Knicks 140 – 126

Chicago Bulls – Philadelphia 76ers 105 – 92