Mavericks survive Doncic foul trouble to beat Hawks

Despite being limited to 28 minutes because of foul trouble, Luka Doncic recorded his 45th career triple-double and led the Dallas Mavericks to a 103-94 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, February 6 (Monday, February 7, Manila time).

Doncic picked up his fifth personal foul at 11:07 in the third quarter and did not return until 9:02 left in the game. Doncic finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season and second of his career against Atlanta.

The Mavericks also got 22 points from Reggie Bullock, who had 6 threes, and 22 points from Jalen Brunson, who missed time after earning his fifth foul at 6:21 in the third quarter. The Mavs made 16 three-pointers, 11 more than Atlanta.

The Mavs broke open a two-point game with a 12-2 run that put the game away, turning an 88-86 game to a 100-88 runaway. Back-to-back threes by Brunson and Bullock at the end of that spurt sealed the outcome.

The two teams split their two regular season games. Dallas has won four straight meetings with the Hawks on its home court.

Doncic got the best of Atlanta rival Trae Young. He scored 17 points, but was 0-of-6 on threes, and had 11 assists. Atlanta’s John Collins scored 22 points and had a season-high 18 rebounds. De’Andre Hunter scored 14.

Dallas led by as many as 9 points in the first half and had a 54-50 advantage at halftime. Doncic had 14 points at the break, but was called for his fourth personal, an offensive foul with 44 seconds left. Brunson led the Mavs with 17 at the half, including a short jumper with 1.6 seconds left. Atlanta rode Collins for 12 points and 10 rebounds at the break, with Young scoring only 6.

Dallas played without Maxi Kleber, who missed his second straight game with left knee effusion.

Atlanta returns home to play Indiana on Tuesday. Dallas continues its six-game homestand on Tuesday against Detroit. – Rappler.com