Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) passes the ball within the first half of an NBA basketball recreation in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Picture/Brandon Dill)
MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Luka Doncic had 35 factors, 12 rebounds and 12 assists and Derrick Jones Jr. added 22 factors because the Dallas Mavericks remained undefeated within the NBA with a 125-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday evening.
Tim Hardaway Jr. added 21 factors for Dallas and Grant Williams completed with 15. Doncic, who had 49 factors in Friday’s 125-120 win over the Brooklyn Nets, recorded his 58th profession triple-double, taking pictures 11 of twenty-two from the sector, together with 6 of 12 from 3-point vary. Dallas improved to 3-0.
“It’s an excellent begin,” Doncic mentioned. “We all know we now have numerous video games left, but it surely’s all the time (good) to have an excellent begin.”
Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 30 factors apiece. Jackson grabbed 9 rebounds. Marcus Good completed with 23 factors earlier than fouling out late within the recreation.
The loss left the Grizzlies at 0-4, the primary time Memphis has misplaced its first 4 video games in a season since 2004. Monday’s recreation was the most important shedding margin.
“We’ve been shut,” Bane mentioned of the tough begin, “and sooner moderately than later, we’re going to get within the win column.”
Luka Doncic did Luka Doncic issues on solution to a @dallasmavs W 💪🔥
35 PTS
12 REB
12 AST pic.twitter.com/JJOn6dYxgf
— NBA (@NBA) October 31, 2023
Memphis continued to play short-handed with frontline accidents and the 25-game suspension of final yr’s main scorer, Ja Morant.
In the meantime Mavs beginning guard Kyrie Irving was a late scratch with a left foot sprain. With Irving out of the lineup, Jones, who solely scored a complete of 5 factors in Dallas’ first two video games, was the offensive sparkplug to fill the void. He made 7 of 10 photographs within the recreation, and was 4 of 6 from lengthy distance.
“We’re in search of him to be him,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd mentioned of Jones, whose 22 factors have been three in need of his profession excessive. “He’s a professional. … He’s labored on his 3-pointer, and you possibly can see that tonight.”
Doncic confirmed his presence with 22 factors within the first half, 15 coming within the second quarter of a intently performed affair. Bane tried to maintain tempo for Memphis with 18 within the half.
However the Mavericks led 67-61 on the break, helped by taking pictures 15 for 26 from past the arc.
As they’ve for many video games to this point, the Grizzlies — who had an eight-point lead within the second quarter — have been preventing from behind. That continued within the third quarter because the Mavericks stretched the benefit to 11 factors, persevering with to shoot higher than 50% total and from 3-point vary.
Dallas Mavericks ahead Derrick Jones Jr. (55) handles the ball in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies within the first half of an NBA basketball recreation Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Picture/Brandon Dill)
Memphis tried to stymie Doncic by double-teaming him, however that simply contributed to open photographs for different gamers and assists for the Mavericks guard.
“Luka did an incredible job getting two defenders on him, and hitting the open man,” mentioned Hardaway, who was 8 of 14 from the sector. “Luka’s all the time preaching to the blokes to play 4 on three” if he’s double-teamed.
The Dallas lead reached 17 factors within the fourth.
“You go down (17 factors) within the fourth quarter, and also you’ve bought certainly one of two choices — you possibly can both lay down or preserve preventing,” Bane mentioned. “I assumed we responded nicely after that, and have been in a position to get the lead down. … There’s no give up on this staff.”
Memphis did rally within the ultimate body by scoring 11 straight factors, together with a trio of 3-pointers to chop the result in 110-106 with 5 minutes left. However an inside basket by Josh Inexperienced and one other 3-pointer from Doncic prolonged the result in double digits.
For Memphis it was one other disappointment because it offers with accidents and waits on Morant’s return in December.
“I assumed our execution offensively for almost all of the sport was good. Late within the recreation, that’s the place it begins with me,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins mentioned. “Obtained to be higher organized. Obtained to knock down photographs all through the sport.
“This was a step in the appropriate route.”
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Mavericks: Host Chicago on Wednesday.
Grizzlies: Journey to Utah to play the Jazz on Wednesday.