NBA: Luka Doncic sets new record as Dallas Mavericks defeat Detroit Pistons
Luka Doncic became the first NBA player to record six consecutive 30-point triple-doubles as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Detroit Pistons 142-124.
Russell Westbrook's five-year streak dating back to 2017 was broken by Doncic as the 25-year-old Slovenian had 39 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds on Saturday.
He also extended his record with his fifth consecutive 35-point triple-double.
“This just shows you what level he's playing at right now,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said.
Kyrie Irving added 21 points for Dallas, which pulled away in the second half and won its second straight after losing three straight.
Dallas currently has a record of 36 wins and 28 losses, trailing the New Orleans Pelicans (38 wins and 25 losses) in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.
The Denver Nuggets held a record 78-44 lead at halftime and cruised to a 142-121 home victory over the Utah Jazz.
For Denver, Jamal Murray matched his season-high 37 points and two-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic added 26 points for the defending champions, who improved to 44-20 and are second in the Western Conference. They are tied with the seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. Oklahoma City Thunder (44 wins, 19 losses).
Boston, the NBA's pacesetter, had lost their previous two games, but they regained their winning streak by holding off the Phoenix Suns and winning 117-107.
Despite Kevin Durant scoring a season-high 45 points in host Phoenix, the Celtics finished with a 49-14 record, with Jayson Tatum adding 29 points and Jaylen Brown adding 27 points.
“It's all about how you react,” Tatum said. ”[If] If you want to be a special team, you have to take care of yourself. We have bounced back in a positive direction. ”
Keldon Johnson scored 22 points as the San Antonio Spurs won 126-113 against the Golden State Warriors without Stephen Curry.
Klay Thompson came off the bench for Golden State and scored 27 points, but it wasn't enough to stop the Warriors (33-30) from losing for the first time since January.
The lowly Spurs improved to 14-50, but Curry and San Antonio's star rookie Victor Wembaneyama missed the game with right ankle injuries.
