By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Combining 48 three-pointers, a new NBA record for the most triples by both teams in a single game, the Dallas Mavericks outlasted the Golden State Warriors, 143-133, in Chase Center.
“No team could miss,” said Luka Doncic after posting his 80th career triple-double on the latest edition of NBA Sundays, “It was a fun game. A lot of makes. But it was a physical game too.”
The Slovenian sensation dropped 45 points with 16/23 field goals, including six from beyond the arc. Putting in 13 assists and 11 rebounds shaped the triple-double. Lasting nearly 38 minutes, he also put in three steals and two blocks.
“A typical Serbian,” mentioned Draymond Green but quickly corrected his mistake, “He’s not a Serbian but he’s Slovenian. They are right there. They kind of have this nonchalant demeanor. Where it is like you hit the tough shot and talking only at times he gets lively but most of the time it’s like, ‘eh’. It’s really cold from busting your a.s.s. But it’s always fun to compete against Luka.”
German Maxi Kleber, dealing with an illness and a rib fracture, was sidelined by the Mavs.
A former teammate of Kleber on the senior national team of Germany, Dennis Schroder was recently acquired by the Warriors via trade. He is expected to become available for head coach Steve Kerr against the Memphis Grizzlies in FedExForum on Thursday.
“I’m thrilled. I told Dennis today he’s kicked my ass on three different continents,” the 59-year-old play-caller of the Warriors referred to previous meetings between the NBA and the international level, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
“We need someone that can do the things that he does,” added Green.