Doncic scores 33, Mavs rout Jazz 102-77 for 3-2 series lead
DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had 33 factors and 13 rebounds in his first residence playoff recreation coming off a calf harm and the Dallas Mavericks routed the Utah Jazz 102-77 on Monday evening for a 3-2 lead of their first-round playoff sequence.
Doncic made his sequence debut in Recreation 4 at Utah, when the Jazz scored the final 5 factors within the remaining 31 seconds for a one-point win that evened the sequence.
After the primary 4 video games had been determined by eight factors or much less, Recreation 5 was by no means actually shut, because of Utah’s practically six-minute scoreless drought within the second quarter that fueled a 22-4 Dallas run on the way in which to a 52-36 halftime lead.
Recreation 6 is Thursday evening in Salt Lake Metropolis, with the Jazz regaining their formidable home-court edge, however going through the lengthy odds of simply 18% of groups profitable a sequence after dropping the fifth recreation when the groups cut up the primary 4.
The Mavericks haven’t superior within the postseason since profitable the 2011 championship. Utah is within the playoffs for the sixth consecutive yr, however hasn’t gone previous the second spherical.
Jordan Clarkson scored 20 factors and Rudy Gobert added 17 factors and 11 rebounds within the lowest-scoring recreation for the Jazz since they misplaced by 50 at Dallas (118-68) on Nov. 14, 2018. They had been 3 of 30 from 3-point vary (10%) and shot 38% total.
Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 30 factors within the first 4 video games, scored simply 9 and missed all seven of his 3-pointers earlier than limping to the locker room holding the realm round his left knee within the fourth quarter.
The frustration boiled over for Utah when Hassan Whiteside was ejected following a tough foul on Doncic within the fourth quarter.
Whiteside was assessed two technical fouls after shoving Dorian Finney-Smith and going nose-to-nose with Reggie Bullock as coaches from either side frantically tried to maintain gamers separated. Finney-Smith and Bullock additionally obtained technicals, and Bullock was ejected as a result of it was his second of the sport.
Jalen Brunson, who carried many of the offensive load for Dallas when Doncic was sidelined, scored 24 factors. Finney-Smith added 13, and Dwight Powell obtained the gang going early with all eight of his factors on 4-of-4 capturing within the first.
Doncic, his left calf coated in a black wrap beneath white leggings, saved a raucous crowd rolling with a number of nifty strikes and high-arcing 3-pointers.
The first highlight came late in the first half when Doncic drove all the way in which to the rim with Gobert guarding him, stopped and faked the 7-foot-1 middle a number of occasions earlier than turning his again to the basket and spinning a reverse layup off the glass and in as Gobert fouled him.
The exclamation level was within the third quarter, when Doncic hit consecutive 3s for a 74-46 lead, doing a shimmy in front of the fans to his left after the second went in. The 23-year-old sensation swished another 3 for a 79-46 lead right after blocking Jordan Clarkson’s shot from deep.
Doncic left to a standing ovation after committing a foul on objective to cease the sport with a 29-point Dallas lead within the fourth quarter.
TIP-INS
Jazz: Gobert, who was fined $25,000 for utilizing profanity in a stay TV interview after Utah’s Recreation 4, was serenaded by followers a number of occasions with a chant involving a much less offensive profane phrase. One of many chants got here throughout free throws, when Gobert made one in all two. … After dominating the boards within the first two video games, Utah has slowly surrendered its edge because the sequence has progressed. The Mavs outrebounded them 49-40.
Mavericks: G Frank Ntilikina was out there for the primary time within the sequence after being out with a non-COVID-19 sickness. … NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas Metropolis and Arizona’s Kyler Murray had been seven seats aside on the primary row reverse the Utah bench. Troy Aikman, a three-time Tremendous Bowl winner for Dallas within the Nineteen Nineties, attended together with former Miami Warmth star Dwyane Wade, who has an possession stake within the Jazz.
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