Sweeping the two-game road miniseries at Golden 1 Center, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings 107-103. In the Mavs’ second win, the team rallied from a 15-point hole and eventually prevailed thanks to the NBA leader in clutch winning %.
“This group is tied together, trust on both ends,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “We had good looks. We didn’t shoot the ball well in the first half, and we were only down nine. They’re a good team. They pushed the lead up, and everybody stayed confident.
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Despite Luka Doncic’s dominance in the paint, Kyrie Irving stormed down the stretch for 14 of his 30 points. Dante Exum, though, scored a game-winning 3-pointer that put the game away.It was obvious that Exum would have to punish Sacramento’s defense when they adapted to reduce the floor in the final seconds by having Domantas Sabonis “guard” Exum by pre-rotating off of him. On one possession, he passed up a potential to drive into the stands and then missed a couple easy shots. With 28.1 seconds left in regulation, he and his teammates maintained their composure before he made the jump jumper that put the Mavs up 106-103.
“The trust was really tested when Exum was in the game late. He had great looks. No one was upset,” Kidd said. “Everyone was just wanting him to make them. But everyone trusted him with that last three. That’s the beauty of this team is that we know they’re going to take the ball out of Luka and Kai’s hands and someone else is going to have to step up.”
With the Kings expected to provide a more formidable opponent, the Mavs were ready. They overcame early difficulties by responding with perseverance and determination in the face of critical situations, so fulfilling their expectations.Not only did the Mavs get 26 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds from Doncic, but they also got a team effort that was summed up by Exum’s shining moment. With six straight victories and an 11-game winning streak, Dallas is in a strong position to secure the sixth spot in the conference. Two of those victories came against the Kings.
“Amazing, and that speaks of the trust of our team,” Doncic remarked, praising the team’s belief in each other, even in moments of adversity. “That shows that our team is great. We’re having fun out there… Outside of Kai, Kai was amazing.”
With continued proficient defense execution and tightening up on ball control, the Mavs had zero turnovers in the fourth quarter and outscored the Kings 34-21 in the final period to achieve the victory. Dallas hadn’t led until Irving made two free throws after being fouled on a three-pointer to go up 94-92 with 6:21 remaining in regulation. Both teams traded leads until Exum’s big shot and the team was delighted.
“It’s exciting. It’s a joyful moment,” Irving said of Exum’s shot. “As a young kid, when you’re first starting to play basketball, hopefully, your coach has taught you how to celebrate other people’s success. Even to the professional ranks, encouraging someone positively goes a long way.
“He missed a few shots that were pretty wide-open. But he made the one that counted most and we needed most,” Irving explained. “I just love the way we came to the bench after he missed those two shots and we’re just looking at each other like: we’re going to be fine.”
Exum knew he had to stay aggressive looking to make the defense pay for leaving him open like he did in previous situations this season. During a career-year that features a now 50.0% conversion rate from the perimeter, he rewarded his teammates’ trust.
“The biggest thing is everyone’s telling me: keep shooting, keep shooting,” Exum said. “(When I’m) open like that the whole game, they (the shots) are going to go up. Being on a team with Luka and Kai, late game, important game. Obviously, I’m shooting three shots. And I come to the bench, and them two are the ones telling me: shoot the next one, shoot the next one.”
The Mavs will look to continue the momentum when they take on the Houston Rockets on Sunday, continuing a pivotal five-game Western Conference road trip.