Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a name as Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) appears on through the second half of an NBA basketball sport in Dallas, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
DALLAS — Luka Doncic had 34 factors, 9 rebounds and eight assists and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 113-97 on Thursday night time to maneuver into the sixth and closing assured playoff place within the NBA Western Convention.
Dallas gained its third straight and seventh in eight video games. The Mavericks and Phoenix — a winner at residence late Thursday night time over Atlanta — are each 41-29, however the Mavericks maintain the tiebreaker over the Suns. Sacramento is a half-game behind.
Doncic, who has 18 triple-doubles this season, didn’t have a rebound or an help within the fourth quarter, enjoying 4 minutes. He shot 11 of 23 from the ground, 4 of 10 on 3s.
READ: NBA: Mavericks sweep season sequence vs Spurs
Daniel Gafford added 24 factors, his excessive sport since being acquired in early February, on 10 of 11 taking pictures. Gafford went into play main the NBA taking pictures 70.8%.
“He has nice fingers,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd mentioned about Gafford. “His means to complete in visitors is one thing we haven’t had.”
Dallas Mavericks teammates Kyrie Irving (11) and Luka Doncic (77) attain out to one another at a break in play through the first half of an NBA basketball sport towards the Utah Jazz in Dallas, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photograph/LM Otero)
Gafford missed the second half of the second quarter after crumpling to the court docket and being helped to the locker room, then returned to start out the second half.
Kyrie Irving scored 16 factors, 11 within the second half.
The Mavericks had 33 assists, 4 off their season excessive compiled of their 147-97 win over the Jazz at residence on Dec. 6.
READ: NBA: Kyrie Irving’s lefty floater lifts Mavericks over Nuggets
“Guys are being very unselfish, and it’s actually enjoyable to look at and be part of,” Kidd mentioned.
The Jazz had been swept in a street back-to-back, shedding at Oklahoma Metropolis on Wednesday night time, and have misplaced 4 consecutive video games and 15 of 18. They’re eight video games out of play-in qualification with 12 video games left.
Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 21 factors after lacking the earlier seven video games due to a quadriceps damage. Collin Sexton added 20 off the bench for his sixth straight sport of a minimum of 20 factors.
Dallas led by 19 factors after trailing by seven 2 1/2 minutes in. The Mavericks outscored the Jazz 27-15 within the second quarter to steer 53-42 with Utah taking pictures 31.6% within the interval, 0 for 9 from deep, and committing seven turnovers.
Utah shot 4 of 30 from 3 general, Markkanen going 1 of 9.
“It was a extremely robust night time taking pictures the ball,” Jazz coach Will Hardy mentioned. “Credit score to Dallas. That’s a extremely good group.”
Doncic got here off what Kidd referred to as a “human sport” wherein the sixth-year famous person had a triple-double however hit solely 6 of 27 field-goal makes an attempt in scoring 18 factors for his lowest complete since mid-November.
The Jazz had been lacking Jordan Clarkson, their No. 3 scorer. He sat out his fifth straight sport due to a groin damage. The Mavericks performed with out Josh Inexperienced, who missed his third consecutive sport due to a sprained proper ankle.
NEXT NBA SCHEDULE
Jazz: At Houston on Saturday night time.
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Mavericks: At Utah on Monday night time to start a five-game street journey.
