By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Slovenian star Luka Doncic had 37 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists for Dallas, but Kyrie Irving missed the game because of a right shoulder sprain and Utah managed to get their first home win of the season, 115-113 over the Mavericks.
John Collins scored the last of his 28 points on a tiebreaking dunk with 6.4 seconds and also had nine rebounds.
In the press conference, Doncic took responsibility for what happened: “It was a misunderstanding. I thought (Clarkson) was going to shoot and Grimes thought he was going to shoot too. And it was a pass, we didn’t understand the bench well. It’s my fault.”
Coach Jason Kidd added: “Communication. There was a lapse there. It happened and they (the Jazz) took full advantage of it. We have to be better.”
Finnish forward Laury Markkanen added 13 points for the winning side on the only NBA game of the night.
German big man Maxi Kleber was a starter for Dallas but scored only three points.
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 13-0
2. Boston Celtics 10-3
3. Orlando Magic 7-6
4. New York Knicks 5-6
5. Indiana Pacers 5-6
6. Brooklyn Nets 5-7
7. Atlanta Hawks 5-7
8. Chicago Bulls 5-7
9. Miami Heat 4-6
10. Detroit Pistons 5-8
11. Charlotte Hornets 4-7
12. Milwaukee Bucks 4-8
13. Washington Wizards 2-8
14. Philadelphia 76ers 2-9
15. Toronto Raptors 2-10
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 10-2
2. Golden State Warriors 9-2
3. Phoenix Suns 9-3
4. Denver Nuggets 7-3
5. Houston Rockets 8-4
6. Los Angeles Lakers 7-4
7. Memphis Grizzlies 7-5
8. Sacramento Kings 7-5
9. Minnesota Timberwolves 6-6
10. San Antonio Spurs 6-6
11. Los Angeles Clippers 6-6
12. Dallas Mavericks 5-7
13. Portland Trail Blazers 5-8
14. Utah Jazz 3-8
15. New Orleans Pelicans 3-9
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins