Mavericks use massive third quarter to down Lakers

Luka Doncic scored 32 factors, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished out 9 assists, and the Dallas Mavericks outscored the visiting Los Angeles Lakers by 30 factors within the third quarter to take management in a 124-115 Christmas Day win on Sunday.

The Lakers held a 54-43 lead at halftime behind LeBron James’ sturdy begin, however they gave up a season-high 51 factors to the Mavericks in a pivotal third quarter. James went on to complete with 38 factors, six rebounds and 5 assists.

Dallas’ 51-21 eruption within the stanza flipped what had been a Los Angeles benefit of as many as 14 factors within the first half to a 21-point Mavericks lead within the second half.

Los Angeles pulled to inside 10 factors early within the fourth quarter, however Dallas had a solution every time the Lakers threatened to maneuver inside a single-digit margin.

The Mavericks put the sport away with a 9-0 run lasting 1:21 down the stretch, capped when Doncic related on a 3-pointer in entrance of the Dallas bench. Doncic exchanged high-fives together with his teammates on the sideline after successfully snuffing the Lakers’ comeback hopes.

Christian Wood completed the sport with a flourish, together with a rebound to assist arrange Doncic’s closing 3-pointer. Wood additionally delivered a put-back dunk down the stretch — two of his 30 factors — and made one in all his 4 steals late.

He added eight rebounds and 7 assists. Spencer Dinwiddie distributed one other eight assists, as 31 of Dallas’ 44 made area objectives have been assisted.

Los Angeles, in the meantime, completed with simply 18 assists on its 39 made baskets.

Dallas related on 44 of 84 field-goal makes an attempt, together with 18 of 44 from 3-point vary. Tim Hardaway Jr. shot 6 of 14 from past the arc en path to 26 factors.

Russell Westbrook scored 17 factors off the bench for the Lakers. Austin Reaves added 16 factors. No different Los Angeles scorer apart from James produced greater than 9 factors.

–Field Level Media/Reuters