Porzingis leads with 23 points, 9 rebounds
TAMPA, Fla. - After dropping two straight games to the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls, the Dallas Mavericks traveled to Tampa Monday to take on the Toronto Raptors, hoping to get back into the win column.
Superstar Kristaps Porzingis got the scoring started, throwing down a dunk to put Dallas ahead 2-0 in the opening minutes of the game. Porzingis turned around and knocked down a 3-pointer a couple possessions later to set the tone for how his night was going to go.
Rookie guard Josh Green made a layup on an assist from Luka Doncic that put the Mavericks ahead 16-15 late in the first quarter, but the Raptors ended the frame on 7-2 run, leading 22-18 entering the second quarter.
A Porzingis dunk once again got the quarter started, this time with the help of an assist from guard Jalen Brunson. A Brunson 3-pointer a few moments later gave Dallas their lead back at 26-24, but it wasn’t long before the Mavericks saw themselves down by double-digits. Dallas was able to finish the half on a strong note, and entered the locker room with the game tied at 47-47.
Early in the third quarter Brunson knocked down another 3-pointer, this time assisted by Porzingis, to put Dallas ahead 56-55, but it was the last time the Mavericks would see a lead. Toronto immediately began to create separation and took a 81-72 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks had no answers in the final frame, being outscored 35-21 in the fourth quarter, falling by a final score of 116-93.
Porzingis was the leading man for Dallas in their 23-point loss. In 32 minutes of action Porzingis had 23 points, on 8-14 shooting, while also grabbing nine rebounds and picking up two blocks.
It was a bit of a down night for Doncic, who had just 15 points in 35 minutes of action. Despite shooting 4-11 from the field, Doncic was still able to dish out nine assists and grab seven rebounds.
Off the bench both Trey Burke and James Johnson had good games, posting 17 points and 15 points respectively. Johnson also had six rebounds to go with his double-digit game.
The loss makes the third straight for the Mavericks, and brings their record to 6-7 on the season. They will hope to get back to .500 when they take on the Pacers at 6 p.m. Wednesday.