Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic scored 22 points and set a new career-high in assists in the victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 10.
The Dallas Mavericks faced a difficult home test on Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder were riding a seven-game winning streak coming in. The Mavs, on the other hand, had lost seven of their last eight and were searching to get on track.
Oklahoma City was without Russell Westbrook on Nov. 10. Westbrook suffered an ankle injury that has cost him three games, and no word on when the point guard is set to return.
The Mavericks came out strong winning each of the first two quarters and opening up a 12-point halftime lead. They sustained the momentum to earn a 111-96 victory over the Thunder on Saturday night.
J.J. Barea played fantastic off the Mavs bench. He produced 21 points, five assists, three rebounds, three 3-pointers made, one steal, and two turnovers in 22 minutes of action. Barea was also eight of 14 from the field and a superb positive 17 in the plus/minus category.
Oklahoma City’s big three played well against Dallas. Paul George had 20 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. He also guarded Luka Doncic the majority of the game. Steven Adams chipped in 20 points and 13 rebounds of his own, and Dennis Schroder scored 19 filling in for Westbrook. It was not enough for a Thunder victory, though.
Doncic stars again
As fantastic as Barea played, the Dallas Mavericks player of the game was once again rookie Luka Doncic. The Slovenian finished with 22 points, six rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and four turnovers in 31 minutes. Doncic was nine of 15 from the field and a stellar positive 16 in the plus/minus. Let us take a closer look at Wonder Boy’s game.