DALLAS — Led by dynamic performances from Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks mounted a stunning 22-point comeback to snatch a 147-136 victory from the Houston Rockets in overtime. The dramatic win secured their 14th win in their last 16 games and continued the Mavs' recent rise as the playoffs approach.
“The chemistry is huge,” Doncic said. “We're on track right now.”
April 7, 2024. Dallas, Texas, USA.Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) stops Houston Rockets
Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
Irving and Doncic continued to form a formidable duo, totaling 85 points. Irving scored 25 of his 48 points in key moments in the fourth quarter and overtime, marking his first individual scoring milestone since arriving in Dallas. He became the sixth player in team history to score 48 points or more in a game.
“When Kai gets in the paint, mid-range, three, gets to the basket, he can do it all,” Mavs guard Dante Exum said of Irving. Just let him cook and watch. ”
Doncic nearly achieved a triple-double with 37 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. This is the fourth game the duo has scored at least 35 points each in the same game, passing Mark Aguirre and Rolando Blackman as the most by any Mavs duo.
“We work hard and we take a lot of pressure on ourselves,” Irving said. “We want to be successful, and I think that rubs off on our teammates.”
PJ Washington and Exum also made key contributions and came into play in key moments. Washington had 14 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, including a crucial 3-pointer late in the game. Exum hit a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime, finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds.
“This is why they were called up, so we've believed in them since the beginning of the season,” Irving said of Exum and Washington. “I know that and Luka is doing a great job of giving them confidence.'' Whether they make the shot or not, we're going to believe in them. That won't change. ”
The Rockets' offense was led by three standout performances: Dillon Brooks with 29 points, Fred VanVleet with 24 points and 12 assists, and Jalen Green with 21 points and eight assists. Despite their efforts, they were unable to match the Mavs' late-game ability.
“Everyone's tired this time of year. Also, give Houston credit. They're fighting for their lives,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. They would give us the best – and they did. We accepted it and found a way to win. Everyone may be tired, but as mid-April approaches, it all goes away, because it's the next season. ”
The Rockets, on the verge of being eliminated from the play-in tournament, started a competitive game on both ends of the court. They quickly jumped out to a 24-5 lead, answering coach Ime Udoka's call to end the season on a high and repeat their 11-game winning streak. However, Houston struggled to maintain this initial advantage as the game progressed.
“It wasn't about how we went about it or how we planned to start. But a lot of times it's not how you start, it's how you finish. Also, the players “I thought they were talking in the locker room and during the game,” Kidd said. “The bench just kept the game going.” “We knew we couldn't just take one 20-point shot. We just had to get on with the game. Once we thought our defense was going to get us back in the game, we started making shots.”
The game was tense, highlighted by a scuffle caused by Armen Thompson's flagrant 2 foul for an altercation with Maxi Kleber. It was a big gamble considering the Rockets were eliminated from play-in content with the loss. As for Dallas, the win was a testament to the team's fighting spirit and strong camaraderie, as Irving passionately said.
“Honestly, it was one of those moments where I got so emotional about this game as a competitor. For us, this wasn't a real game,” Irving said. “When you go out there and put in your blood and sweat and tears and work on your physicality. Of course we feel the fans and the atmosphere, but you're a competitor, you're a teammate, and you're there. “Watching your teammates go to battle just does something for you. After that buzzer, we were all fed up.'' After a game like that, hugs are important.'' is”
While the Mavs started to find a rhythm from the 3-point line towards the end of the first quarter, the Rockets continued their strong performance from the perimeter, allowing Dallas to trail by a large margin and trailing by 42 at the end of the quarter. They were at a disadvantage of 27. Houston continued to emphasize switching to make the Mavs work by breaking down defenders frequently. The team scored a season-high 41 points in isolation, breaking their previous single-game record of 34 points in a 125-107 victory over the Rockets on March 31.
Gafford was benched early in the second quarter with his third foul, but Doncic returned to the game just over seven minutes into the break. The Mavs trailed by as many as 22 points at several points during the quarter, but the gap widened after Brooks hit a 3-pointer midway through.
The Mavs mounted a solid comeback effort and narrowed the Rockets' early lead. Green was called for two fouls in quick succession, first for charging Doncic and then for Irving on a 3-point shot attempt. Suddenly, with just over three minutes left in the game, Green accumulated four fouls. Irving's free throws cut the Rockets' lead to 65-53.
By switching to a more varied approach, the defense improved its execution, and Dallas gradually narrowed the Rockets' lead. Doncic pulled his team within seven points with a series of offensive and defensive moves. He scored using a post-up, assisted Washington's dunk with a lob pass from half court, and successfully drew contact to get to the free throw line.
Irving scored five straight points, including a drive and a pull-up 3-pointer, to bring the Mavs within five points by halftime. This was his one of several solo efforts by Irving to keep the momentum from leaning too much toward the Rockets throughout the game. The Mavs regrouped during the break and focused on their comeback strategy.
“We looked at each other in the locker room at halftime and thought, 'What are we going to do to get back in this game?'” When they held a 22-point lead, we looked at each other and said, “What are we going to do to get back in this game?” So there's no one in that gathering except us, our coaching staff, and of course management,” Irving said. “It means a lot to be able to get a win like that.
“This is just a regular season game, but we know the position we're in. I keep saying that,” Irving explained. “I kind of knew what it meant to win on the other side tonight. It feels good.”
In the second half, both teams often had answers for each other's scoring plays. Still, despite the defensive mistakes, Dallas stayed in contention thanks to a one-time finish from Gafford and back-to-back points from Doncic and Irving. During this period, the Mavs acquired dynamic players from both superstars, including Doncic's turnaround jumper and Irving's pull-up 3-point shooting.
Houston managed to take the lead at the end of the third quarter, but in the fourth, Irving hit a series of jumpers and 3-pointers to score, bringing Dallas within one point. He took advantage of the Rockets' attitude of not blitzing when Doknick was on the floor, slowing the team's hand from starting his double-double. Irving's effective play and continuous shot creation led the Mavs.
“So it's exciting because almost every defensive adjustment is predictable,” Irving said. To stop you, it gives to my teammates – and also when Luka doubles, it gives us the opportunity to attack with the number of allies. I really welcome that. When the ball is in my hands and no one is coming for a double, that's when I get aggressive.
“My teammates kept getting the ball into my hands, and tonight was a matchup, so I just kept taking advantage of it,” Irving explained. “We had some easy ones tonight and just kept breathing good energy. It was really a whole team effort tonight. We left everything on the floor tonight, and you could feel it.” ”
Irving continued to dominate, keeping Dallas competitive with his scoring and playmaking. His turnaround jumper along the baseline tied the game, but Brooks' 3-pointer and subsequent play forced the Mavs to chase the score in the final moments. Houston frequently blitzed Doncic and took the ball out of his hands, forcing his teammates out of 4-on-3 situations more often, leading to foul calls and Irving's critical trips for free throws. The line created a chance for a pull-up attempt — he gave the Mavs a 121-120 lead with 3:02 left.
“I was just standing there and he was just going,” Doncic said of Irving's late-game heroics.
The key moment came during a crucial Dallas timeout, with Irving drawing a foul and making two free throws to give the Mavs the lead. But the Rockets fought back and held a narrow lead until Doncic's decisive 3-pointer turned the tide.
Both teams had chances to seal the victory in the final seconds, but Dallas took advantage of the final seconds and tied the game thanks to Exum's 3-pointer, sending it into overtime. With the Rockets leading by three points and 13.6 seconds left, Smith missed two free throws. The Mavs had previously missed multiple clean shots from the perimeter, including a flare screen Irving and spot-up cleverness, before finally winning regulation.
On a forced overtime play, Doncic received a pass and looked to pull up far on the perimeter, but he drew two defenders and sent a well-timed pass to Exum on the wing. The Mavs won the first overtime game of the 2023-24 season.
“I mean, I was trying to take a shot and then I saw two guys on top of me and I saw Dante open,” Doncic said. “Of course you will pass. That's our confidence.”
Exum appreciates the trust of his teammates as he continues to take big shots. Before this season, he had never made a game-tying or go-ahead shot in the fourth quarter or the final moments of overtime, but he did two in nine days, the first of which was a crucial 3-pointer. Ta. Win against the Sacramento Kings on March 29th.
“There were a lot of times throughout the season where I would just miss one shot and be like, 'Yeah, take the next shot, take the next shot,'” Exum said. To defeat it, simply remind them of the times when they supported you. ”
In overtime, the Mavs took the lead and won by 11 points with strategic plays and strong performances, including Irving's scoop finish and defensive stops. Washington stepped up to make multiple 3-pointers from the corner. Derrick Jones Jr. pressured the green's finish on the trail to force mistakes during those shots. Doncic got to the rim and made the final layup, further cementing the victory.
“Honestly, it was one of those moments where you get so emotional about this game as a competitor. For us, it wasn't a real game,” Irving said. Be physical, put in your blood, sweat, and tears.
“Obviously we feel the fans and the atmosphere, but when you're a competitor and you're a teammate and you're watching your teammates go to battle, it just does something for you.” Irving explained. “After the buzzer, we were all fed up. Hugs are important after a game like that.”
The Mavs will look to build on their momentum and continue their strong season performance as they embark on an East Coast trip with games against Charlotte and Miami.
“We need to finish this season on a positive note,” Kidd said. “We have a road trip to Charlotte and Miami. We can continue to work on our habits and get better.”
