The Rundown: Timberwolves survive Mavs’ comeback, Lillard hits Lakers with 40

Scoreboard

Hornets 144, Hawks 138

Cavaliers 117, Spurs 109

Jazz 123, Pacers 117

76ers 123, Rockets 104

Nuggets 112, Heat 108

Knicks 124, Nets 106

Magic 100, Bulls 91

Pelicans 103, Thunder 100

Timberwolves 124, Mavericks 121

Warriors 135, Wizards 126

Trail Blazers 127, Lakers 115

What went down

When the game is on the line, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are two of the safest bets for a clutch basket. Luckily, the Dallas Mavericks have both players on their team… right?

Well, not today.

The Mavericks almost pulled off an incredible comeback against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Midway through the third period, they fell behind by 26 points, 89-63, and it looked like the game was a wrap. That was until Irving erupted in the fourth quarter. He exploded for 26 points to give his team a chance to steal the win. He hit a 3-pointer with under 30 seconds left in the game to make it a one-possession ball game.

The Mavs had one last chance to get off a game-tying 3-pointer. But Irving and Doncic played hot potato with the ball. Neither one had a clear look at the game-tying shot so they kept passing it off to one another until time ran out on their comeback bid. 

It’s hard to blame either player for deferring to the other. While Irving had the hot hand (36 points), Doncic was excellent all game long (33 points). Credit goes to Minnesota’s defense on the final possession. Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels suffocated the Dallas duo, making sure they couldn’t get a shot off.

Mavs failed to get a shot off in their final possession pic.twitter.com/69bDL6Xv1D

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 14, 2023

Edwards led Minny with 32 points while Rudy Gobert finished with 21 points and 24 rebounds. Four other Timberwolves finished in double figures.

Big-time baller

Damian Lillard loves to play the LA Lakers.

In their first meeting this season, he dropped 41 points on 60 percent shooting. In their next game he was limited to just 24 points at a 29 percent clip. That was the game where Patrick Beverley locked him up and mocked him with the tap-on-the-wrist move after the buzzer.

After that awful showing in their last meeting, Lillard was due for a bounce back game against the Lakers. In today’s match-up, Lillard went for another 40-piece against the Lakers, leading the Blazers to a big win.

go Dame 🫶

40 PTS | 8 3PM | 5 AST pic.twitter.com/qky2i8EJ52

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 14, 2023

What he said

It’s no secret that Bones Hyland and the Denver Nuggets had a messy break-up. The once-promising rookie for the Nuggets was traded away at the deadline to the LA Clippers, ending the rocky relationship between the team and the player.

There were reports that Hyland had issues with Coach Mike Malone and Jamal Murray. He even stormed out in the middle of the game. That resulted in the team punishing him by making him fly commercial instead of on the team plane.

When he was traded, Hyland took to social media and posted a video of himself on the Clippers’ private plane with the caption, “We deserve this one … This is how they treat you when they love you.” That was a clear shot at the Nuggets for his punishment.

Today was Hyland’s first time to speak to the press since the trade. This is what he had to say when asked about playing with his former teammates in Denver and his new teammates in LA:

Bones Hyland was asked about playing with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray and now Kawhi and PG:

“It was a great experience playing with Joker. Two guys over here who are phenomenal talents, and over there there’s one guy with phenomenal talent as well.” pic.twitter.com/dL6Yr93kKN

— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) February 13, 2023

Hyland singling out Jokic shows that even though he was traded, he’s still harboring some ill feelings towards his former team and one specific teammate (*cough* Murray *cough*).

Did you see that?

This bride got a ring before Luka. 

This couple got married at halftime of the Mavs game 💍💙 pic.twitter.com/rwmgtg4tco

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 14, 2023

Let’s see if Doncic’s new partner can get him one in June.