DALLAS, Texas – The Dallas Mavericks (34-27) hosted the Philadelphia 76ers (35-26) on Sunday afternoon at American Airlines Center. This was the first of a three-game homestand for Dallas. The Mavs have lost three of their last four games before Sunday's matchup with the 76ers. Following Sunday's loss, the Mavs lost four of their last five games, losing 120-116 to the 76ers.
Dallas jumped out to the lead with an 11-0 run early in the game, but that didn't last long thanks to help from Philadelphia native Tyrese Maxey. He scored 17 points in the first quarter, giving the 76ers a 10-point lead entering the second quarter.
The Mavs rallied, but still went into halftime trailing 56-51. In the second half, they held Maxey to just two points, but they turned the ball over many times and were unable to take the lead. The Mavs are averaging 12 turnovers per game, including 11 in the first half alone. Philadelphia struggled from downtown, shooting just 18 percent from beyond the three-point line. The Mavs knocked down seven three-threes in the first half.
Philadelphia had a hot start to the third quarter. Philadelphia went on a 16-8 run to take a 13-point lead and forced Dallas to call a timeout. Tobias Harris is starting to rack up points in Philadelphia. With 7:30 left in the quarter, he had 20 toss. Outside of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavs' offense hasn't had much movement. Turnovers did not improve in the second half, with 14 by the end of the third set. The Mavs trailed by 14 points entering the fourth quarter.
The Mavs held Maxey to four points in the second half. Philadelphia had three players score 20 or more points tonight. The Mavs have Doncic, Irving and Jones Jr., plus Maxey, Harris and Oubre Jr.
Dallas made it interesting and turned it around within seven seconds with 3:36 left. Irving hit a jumper with a minute left to bring the game within five points. Philadelphia was trailing by 18 points at one point, but the Mavs were back within five seconds in the final seconds of the game.
Luka Doncic finished the night with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. He became the fourth player in NBA history to record a 30-point triple-double in three consecutive games.
The Mavs return to American Airlines Center on Tuesday to take on the Indianapolis Pacers at 7:30 p.m.
