Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a jump shot over the reach of Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on April 03, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Getty Images via AFP)
LOS ANGELES – Luka Doncic won his duel with Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Dallas Mavericks downed the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
Mavs star Doncic finished with 32 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds as the Mavs underscored their postseason credentials with a 118-112 road win over the NBA champions.
Doncic was the spearhead of a balanced offensive performance by Dallas, who finished with six players in double figures.
Doncic was given scoring support from Dwight Powell with 22 points and Reggie Bullock with 16 points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks scores over Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on April 03, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Getty Images via AFP)
Point guard Jalen Brunson added 15 points while Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie chipped in with 11 points apiece for Dallas, who improved to 49-30 to remain fourth in the Western Conference standings.
The Bucks fell to 48-30 after a defeat which followed their 153-119 mauling by the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
The Bucks had led by 10 points early in the second quarter but were gradually reeled in by Miami, who finally pulled clear in the fourth quarter after an 11-point burst of scoring from Doncic.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks scorers with 28 points, with Jrue Holiday adding 20.