Scoreboard
- Trail Blazers 99, Knicks 110
- Nuggets 114, Kings 119
- Bulls 118, Magic 92
- Nets 108, 76ers 124
- Raptors 121, Hawks 132
- Bucks 124, Cavalier- 99
- Spurs 111, Rockets 106
- Timberwolves 118, Thunder 120
- Warriors 132, Mavericks 134
- Grizzlies 109, Pelicans 118
- Pistons 129, Lakers 135
What went down
It was an unreal performance by two of the most electric scorers in the game today as Luka Doncic and Steph Curry exchanged big shot after big shot in Dallas on Sunday.
Curry single-handedly kept his team afloat, putting together a 57-point performance, highlighted by 11 3-pointers on a scorching 57.9%. With his team trailing down the stretch, Curry spearheaded the comeback, starting off with a tough finger roll to get his team to within four. But Doncic responded off of a broken play, hitting a booming triple of his own to tie his career-high with 42 points.
Curry wasn’t done fighting, though. Curling off a screen, he bombed a 3-pointer of his own, then after a stop proceeded to hit a tough layup over the outstretched arms of Maxi Kleber, plus the free throw after the foul. All of a sudden the Mavericks’ nightmare losing skid was beginning to become a reality again.
Luka Magic in full effect ?
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 7, 2021
📊: 42 PTS | 11 AST | 7 REB pic.twitter.com/0ZiMXDhwD3
The Mavericks had the last laugh, though. On their last offensive play, Doncic gave up the ball to Kleber after the Warriors came to double. Kleber, the goat after fouling Curry on the previous possession, turned into the GOAT of the day as he hit a left-corner triple to give Dallas the breathing room they needed to eventually get the 134-132 win.
It was an important win for many reasons. Not only did the Mavericks snap their losing skid and climb to 10-14 in the standings, it was also proof that they can rely on others to take the big shot when Doncic can’t. This win over the Warriors is the type that can really rejuvenate a team’s season.
Big-time baller
The Denver Nuggets have now lost back-to-back games after bowing to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, falling to 6th place with a 12-10 record. But the loss cannot definitely be pinned on Nikola Jokic, who erupted for a career-high 50 points. Just to make his epic performance even more incredible, Jokic is the first center in the 3-point era to finish with 50 points and at least 10 assists in a game according to NBA.com. He’s also the first Nuggets player to score 50 points since Carmelo Anthony.
What he said
Luka Doncic on trading shots with Steph Curry down the stretch:
“For me, it was suffering. Everytime he shot the ball, I thought it was going [in]. It’s something unbelievable and I’ve never seen it in my life. He’s an amazing player, he changed the game, and it’s always fun to play against him.”
What’s in a number?
8 - Joel Embiid became the first 76ers player with eight straight 25+ point games since Allen Iverson accomplished the feat in 2006.
23 - The number of points that Jokic scored in the fourth quarter. He also shot 10/13 from the field.
15 - Draymond Green handed out 15 assists against the Mavericks. He did it for the second straight game, the first time since Tim Hardaway did back in 1995.
Draymond Green has tallied 15 assists in back-to-back games.
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 7, 2021
The last @warriors player to reach 15+ assists in consecutive games was Tim Hardaway (three straight in Feb. 1995). pic.twitter.com/WDqLSch5qz
