The Russian mountain season of the Dallas Mavericks continued on Wednesday with a dramatic 120-118 victory over the Atlanta Hawks thanks to some heroic of the late game of a bloody Anthony Davis.
At the end of the first quarter, Davis took an accidental elbow from fellow Big Man Daniel Gafford, who left a wound on his eye. He immediately went to the costumes to examine the eye, and it seemed that his night could end. However, he was authorized to return shortly before part time and returned to the court with a great bandage.
Davis, acquired from the Lakers in the controversial trade of Luka Dončić, did not miss the rhythm and received his best performance for the Mavericks since his debut in February, which he also left with an injury, Although it is much more serious.
As the weather spread, the mavericks were in danger of drowning a two -digit advantage in the fourth quarter, but had the ball with the shining clock off. To surprise, the ball went to Davis and went to work at the top of the key. He could not reach the edge due to the solid defense of Onyaka Okongwu, but his float was perfectly measured to put the mavs ahead with remaining 3.4 seconds.
At the other end, Davis closed the show forcing through a air ball.
Davis finished with 34 points in 14 of 23 from the field, 15 rebounds and five blockages for its maximum score effort in a mavericks uniform. He also joined Gafford as the only players in the history of the franchise to record a game with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and five blockages. Dallas has 5-1 with Davis in the alignment.
With the victory, the Mavericks improved 38-39 in the season, which has them in the ninth place at the West Conference. Now there are 2.5 games ahead of the 11th Phoenix Suns and approach a position in the game tournament. While the Suns hold the tiebreaker between the clubs, they have lost four in a row and do not seem interested in making any exchange.
The Mavericks season has not come out in the way someone expected, inside or outside the organization. At this point, given all your injuries, both in the short and long term, They would be better in the lottery. The good news for them is that this is not only possible, but probable.
Assuming to make the game tournament, the Mavericks will be seed No. 9 or No. 10, which means that they would have to win two games on the road, one against the Sacramento Kings or Suns, and then one against the loser of the game No. 7 vs. No. 8, to reach the playoffs. If they do not and are eliminated from the game tournament, they would be sent to the lottery.
