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Mavericks pick up win on Nowitzki night

Mavericks pick up win on Nowitzki night
  • PublishedJanuary 6, 2022


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The Dallas Mavericks hosted the Golden State Warriors Wednesday, looking to pick up their fourth consecutive victory. Dallas played in front of a packed house of 20,441 who was there to see Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki have his No. 41 jersey retired after the game.

Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic got off to a strong start, scoring seven points and grabbing three rebounds in the opening frame. Neither team shot well in the first quarter, and after 12 minutes of action things were all tied up at 21-21. 

The second quarter is when things really picked up for the Mavericks, as they began to score in bunches. Doncic added another six points, giving him 15 points, four rebounds and two assists at the end of the first half. Dallas held Golden State to just 34% from the field in the frame, as they were able to take a 50-39 lead at the end of the half.

Part of the reason for Dallas’ double-digit lead in the first half was the lack of production from Warriors superstar Stephen Curry. Curry had just five points in the first two quarters, making just one of his first 10 field goal attempts.

Golden State put together what as by far their best frame of the night in the third, as they finally got their shots to start falling. As a team they shot 45% from the field and 50% on their 3-point attempts. The Warriors scored 28 points in the frame, 14 of which came between Curry and Gary Payton II, and held Dallas to 20 points, cutting the Dallas lead to just three points entering the final frame.

Tim Hardaway Jr. came up big for the Mavericks in the final frame, scoring on back-to-back baskets to create some separation. A 3-pointer from Dorian Finney-Smith gave Dallas a 13-point lead, as they closed the game strong and went on to win by a final score of 99-82.

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Doncic once again led the way for Dallas, finishing with 26 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals. The Mavericks superstar rolled his ankle in the final stretch of the game, though he didn’t seem too concerned afterwards.

“I twisted it a little bit but not that bad,” Doncic said after the game. “I guess it will be ok. It just hurts a little bit, but I will be fine.”

Finney-Smith played a big role as well, scoring 17 points and grabbing nine rebounds. He also had the highest +/- of any starter, finishing with a +9.

Jalen Brunson and Hardaway Jr. each scored in double-digits as well, scoring 15 points and 14 points respectively. Center Dwight Powell had a solid outing as well, scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds in 20 minutes of action. Powell shot 2-3 from the field and 4-5 from the free throw line.

After the game fans stayed in their seats and waited as the Mavericks honored the greatest player in franchise history. The organization held a ceremony that lasted over an hour and featured big names like NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

Nowitzki addressed the crowd finally, thanking everybody who helped him along the way. He ended his speech, with tears in his eyes, thanking the city of Dallas and the Mavericks fans for always believing and supporting him. Nowitzki was accompanied by wife and children as his jersey was lifted into the rafters.

For the Mavericks, the win marks their fourth in a row and puts them at 20-18 on the year. With a favorable schedule coming up ahead, Dallas currently sits at the fifth seed in the Western Conference.

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Written By
Tyler Lennon

Tyler Lennon is the sports editor for Front Porch News and Chad’s Media. Previously with the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram, Lennon has now covered sports in Hopkins County for four years. He also covers the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers and has media credentials for both the Rangers and the Mavericks. On top of his writing, Lennon is also the lead play-by-play broadcaster for Chad’s Media. He has been the lead broadcaster for Sulphur Springs football, volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball and more. He is also the host of the sports talkshow Down & Out on Chad’s Media, along side Korey Hankins and Ryan Humphries. You can follow Down & Out on all social medias @Downandout903