The Dallas Mavericks have successfully extended their season. In the first game of the NBA Play-In Tournament, Coach Jason Kidd’s team prevailed 120-106 at the Sacramento Kings and will now face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday with a chance to secure the last playoff spot in the West.
Dallas had to do without Kyrie Irving, but Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson put in strong performances. Davis scored 27 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, while Thompson was the X-factor of the evening with 23 points, 16 of which came in the second quarter alone. Brandon Williams (17 points), P.J. Washington (17, 9 rebounds) and Dante Exum (11, 6 assists) also scored in double figures.
Second quarter seals the deal
Both teams were evenly matched in the first quarter, which Sacramento won 29-27. But then Dallas turned up the heat. Klay Thompson in particular made a strong statement one year after his legendary zero-point game at the same venue. Thompson hit four three-pointers in the second quarter, and the Mavs won the quarter 44-19 to take a comfortable 71-48 lead into halftime. The Kings had more turnovers than field goals in that quarter.
Kings without a real chance – DeRozan fights in vain
In the third quarter, the Kings were only able to briefly reduce the deficit to 16 points before PJ Washington and Anthony Davis restored calm. Dallas played confidently, never letting Sacramento get closer than 14 points and controlling the game until the end.
DeMar DeRozan fought hard to avoid elimination with 33 points (7 rebounds), but found too little support. Zach LaVine scored 20 points (9 assists), but often looked unlucky. Domantas Sabonis delivered a double-double (11 points, 13 rebounds), but had little impact on the game. No other Kings player scored in double figures.
Playoff chance in Memphis
A disappointing season has finally come to an end for the Kings. Following the trade of De’Aaron Fox and the dismissal of coach Mike Brown in December, Sacramento missed the playoffs for the 18th time in 19 years. Interim coach Doug Christie now faces an uncertain future.
Dallas, on the other hand, remains in contention. Everything is on the line in Memphis on Friday – a win will send the Mavs to the playoffs, where they would face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
