NBA: Luka Doncic fires 44 points, Mavericks down Magic
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic in the second half at American Airlines Center on October 30, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images/AFP
Luka Doncic scored 30 of his 44 points in the first half to lift the host Dallas Mavericks to a 114-105 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
Doncic recorded his sixth consecutive outing of at least 30 points after making 17 of 26 shots from the floor for the Mavericks, who have alternated losses and wins over their first six games of the season.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 21 points off the bench, Dorian Finney-Smith had 13 and Spencer Dinwiddie added 12. Dallas shot a robust 49.4 percent from the floor and benefited from 10 steals.
Luka is having a historic start to the season. His statline in the Mavs' win tonight:
44 PTS, 3 REB, 5 AST
The first player to score 30+ PTS in each of the first six games of a season since Michael Jordan in 1986. pic.twitter.com/1UW5KPD8Wh
— NBA (@NBA) October 31, 2022
Orlando rookie Paolo Banchero finished with 18 points, marking the first time this season that he has been held under 20. He made just 6 of 20 shots from the floor — including 1 of 6 from 3-point range.
Bol Bol collected 16 points and 11 rebounds, while reserve R.J. Hampton and Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in 15 points apiece.
Banchero sank an 8-foot jumper to trim Dallas’ lead to 107-103 with 55 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter before Finney-Smith answered with a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession. Doncic added a bucket on the Mavericks’ next possession to essentially seal the win.
Orlando nursed a 79-78 lead with 2:23 remaining in the third quarter before Dallas went on a 22-11 surge that bridged into the fourth. Hardaway highlighted the run with three free throws following a flagrant foul as well as draining two 3-pointers and a layup.
Hampton made a layup and Banchero sank a pair of free throws to trim the Mavericks’ lead to 102-97 with 4:28 remaining in the fourth quarter. Doncic answered with a short jumper and Finney-Smith drained a 3-pointer to give Dallas some breathing room.
Terrence Ross scored eight points and Carter added seven as Orlando overcame Doncic’s 16-point performance to take a 34-29 lead at the end of the first quarter. Doncic made 7 of 10 shots from the floor in the frame.
Kevon Harris sank a 3-pointer to push the Magic’s advantage to 51-40 with 6:28 remaining in the second quarter before Doncic scored 14 points during Dallas’ 20-9 run to end the half.
