Mavericks hold on for third straight win

DALLAS- The Dallas Mavericks hosted the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday, looking to continue their hot play as of late. After losing six consecutive games, Dallas has bounced back, winning three of their last four games entering Wednesday’s contest.

Maxi Kleber got the scoring started for the Mavericks, knocking down a 3-pointer on the opening possession thanks to an assist from Josh Richardson. Kleber knocked down another 3-pointer a few minutes later, this time with the help of a Luka Doncic assist to give the Mavericks a 10-9 lead. The two teams traded baskets back-and-forth the entire opening frame, as Dallas took a 33-32 lead into the second quarter.

In the second frame Dallas had no luck, quickly seeing their lead fall to a double-digit deficit. The Mavericks were only able to score 19 points in the frame, while the Hawks put together a 30-point quarter to take a 62-52 lead at the half.

Dallas finally found its offense again in the second half, making the third quarter a much closer affair than the second frame had been. Neither team was able to gain much of an advantage over the other in the frame, as the Mavericks would cut their deficit by one point heading into the fourth quarter.

Trailing 90-81 as the final frame started, Tim Hardaway Jr. knocked down a 3-pointer on the opening possession to begin the Mavericks’ comeback. Hardaway Jr. scored on the next two possessions as well, bringing Dallas within two points in the early going of the fourth quarter.

With 6:34 left in the game it was once again Hardaway Jr. who knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game up at 101-101. Doncic and Jalen Brunson hit 3-pointers on the next two possessions to give Dallas a 107-101 lead with five minutes remaining.

Atlanta’s Trae Young made a deep 3-pointer with 1:05 left to play that cut the Mavericks’ lead to 118-117. Both Dallas and Atlanta got multiple looks in the final minute, but neither scored again and the Mavericks walked away with the one-point victory.

Doncic led the way for Dallas, posting 28 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Doncic shot 9-18 from the field and made eight of his 10 free throw attempts.

Brunson was the next leading scorer for the Mavericks. Brunson had 21 points on 9-18 shooting, while also dishing out five assists and grabbing four rebounds.

Other notables were Richardson who had 10 points and five assists, and Kristaps Porzingis who had 15 points on 6-14 shooting. The win makes Dallas 12-14 on the season and keeps them within a game and a half of the eight seed in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks return to action Sunday to host the Portland Trailblazers. That game is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will air on ESPN.