Luka Doncic’s triple-double sends Mavs to rout of Jazz

Luka Doncic recorded a 29-point triple-double in the first half and finished with 40 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks demolished the visiting Utah Jazz, 147-97, on Wednesday, December 6 (Thursday, December 7, Manila time).

Kyrie Irving scored 26 points in the wire-to-wire victory for Dallas, which established a season-best for points. The Mavericks led by as many as 52 points while winning for just the third time in the past eight games.

The 50-point margin of defeat ties for the second worst in Jazz history. The franchise was located in New Orleans when it lost by 56 (158-102) to the Milwaukee Bucks on March 14, 1979. Utah also fell by 50 (118-68) at Dallas on November 14, 2018.

Doncic made 14-of-25 shots, including 6-of-12 from three-point range in three quarters of action while reaching 40 points for the second time in his past three games and the fourth time overall this season.

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 17 points and Derrick Jones Jr. added 12 for the Mavericks. Seth Curry and Dereck Lively II had 10 points apiece.

Ochai Agbaji scored 21 points for the Jazz, who have lost seven of their past 10 games. Utah has dropped six of its past seven matchups with the Mavericks.

Talen Horton-Tucker scored 11 points and John Collins and Taylor Hendricks had 10 apiece for Utah, which played without Lauri Markkanen (hamstring), Jordan Clarkson (thigh), and Kelly Olynyk (shoulder).

Dallas shot 55.4% from the field, including 22-of-49 (44.9%) from three-point range. The Mavericks’ previous high point total was 144 against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 10.

The Jazz made 40.2% of their shots and were 12-of-33 (36.4%) from behind the arc. Utah committed 19 turnovers while the Mavericks gave the ball away just eight times.

Doncic had 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists as Dallas led 74-51 at the break. He was 6-of-10 from three-point range and 10-of-17 overall.

Irving had 16 points in the first half as the Mavericks shot 58.8% from the field.

Doncic scored 11 points in the third quarter as Dallas widened the margin. Irving’s dunk with 8.2 seconds left made it 109-74 entering the fourth quarter.

Doncic and Irving then called it a night with the Mavericks firmly in control.

The margin reached 50 for the first time when Jaden Hardy buried a three-pointer to make it 138-88 with 3:48 left in the game. – Rappler.com