Lthe 37 points of the Slovenian Luka Doncic were not enough to prevent the Charlotte Hornets they will crush at home this Saturday the Dallas Mavericks (129-108).
The locals were ahead on the scoreboard for most of the game, reaching a 32-point lead.
The top scorer of the game was Doncic with 37 points4 rebounds and 3 assists. Jalen Brunson and Marquese Chriss they supported him with 10 points each.
For the Hornets, who made 20 of 42 triples, seven players scored more than 10 points with Miles Bridges (23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists), PJ Washington (21 points and 3 rebounds) and Terry Rozier (18 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds) as main references.
The Hornetswho have regained energy in recent games, thus added their fourth consecutive victory while the Mavericks link their second loss in a row.
GOOD LOCAL START
Three minutes into the match, the locals, focused on neutralizing Doncicbuilt a 14-point lead with a 3-pointer from Rozier after a very good start (16-2).
Doncic He made his first basket two minutes later and, with three impressive three-pointers in a row in less than a minute, suddenly cut the Hornets’ lead (22-18 with 4.31 to go).
A mate after a disputed rebound under the basket of Montrezl Harrell left the scoreboard at the end of the first quarter with an advantage for the locals (35-24) but with Doncic as the segment’s top scorer with 14 points.
The year Davis Bertans hung from the rim on his back to prevent the Hornets from increasing the lead, a 3-pointer Dorian Finney-Smith He brought the differential even closer (43-39) and, shortly after, the German Maxi Kleber continued to stitch up the Mavericks’ wound with a mate (45-43 with 6:10 to go before the break).
French Colon Frank Ntilikina they put Dallas ahead on the scoreboard for the first time (46-47 with 4.27 left in the first half).
The two teams then alternated the lead several times, but several decisive misses by Doncic on defense and offense and two 3-pointers and two free throws by Kelly Oubre Jr. put the Hornets ahead again at halftime. (61-52).
DONCIC CANNOT ALONE
The third quarter began with the Hornets opening the lead and Doncic carrying all the weight for the Mavericks. With two triples and several fantasy innings, the Slovenian once again cut the advantage of Charlotte (74-69 with 7.14 to play).
a triple of Glue adjusted the light even more (74-72 at 6:41 of finishing the part), but LaMelo Ball y P.J. Washington they reopened the bleeding of the visitors (83-72 with 4.39 on the clock).
Doncic reached 37 points and his eighth three-pointer at the end of the third quarter, but the Slovenian could not do it alone. More triples of Bridges, Rozier and Oubre Jr.. they left the scoreboard in an eloquent 102-80 at the end of the quarter after a great run of 41-28 for Charlotte.
With nothing to play for in the last twelve minutes, the Mavericks booked Doncic on the bench and let themselves go until the end of the game.