Doncic content with “big win” over Timberwolves

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road on Wednesday to move back up to .500. In their 104-99 victory, Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 25 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists plus three steals.

Mavs’ threes for the win

The Mavs were playing without Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Green, Maxi Kleber, Tyler Dorsey, and McKinley Wright. Without some of their key players, they started out heavy on offense. The Mavs were trailing 31-29 after the first quarter and took a short lead before halftime. Austin Rivers scored 10 points to put Minnesota back on top, but Doncic cut the lead to just 52-51 at the half after scoring seven in response.

Throughout most of the third quarter, the Timberwolves maintained the lead, but never by more than five points. Finally, late in the third quarter, Doncic and Dwight Powell’s pick and rolls plus a pair of Doncic free throws put Dallas in the lead 75-74 at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Tim Hardaway Jr. hit two 3-pointers which started a 15-4 run as the Mavs made a full comeback. Reggie Bullock added another pair of 3-pointers and Dallas ended up 13 of 39 from beyond the three-point line.

“They hit four threes in a row, man,” said Wolves guard Austin Rivers. “That’s 12 points in a matter of two minutes. Just totally changed the game. Otherwise, we win tonight. I think we’re the better team, but they hit big shots late and we gave up threes.”

Late in the fourth quarter, a fan was yelling things at Doncic on the court after his burst of three-pointers, but Doncic had fun with it.

“He said something, I say something else,” Doncic said. “We just go back and forth. That gets me going. So, I love that.”

Doncic, who led the team in points, said he was satisfied with the “big win” over Minnesota.

“I think we played great basketball today,” said Doncic. “We shared the ball and it was a great win.”