NBA Daily: Doncic Outshines Former MVPs Harden and Westbrook, as Mavericks Beat Rockets 137-123
By Reylan Loberternos
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 26 Nov 2019
Boracay Island, Philippines – Last season, during his rookie year, Luka Doncic was deprived of an All Star appearance, even though he had the third most fan votes only behind top vote-getter LeBron James and eventual league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in the total count.
This season, thus far, the 20-year-old sophomore is already making a serious case as one of the top MVP candidates. He’s even making minced meat of former MVPs James Harden and Russell Westbrook in Dallas’ 137-123 drubbing of the Houston Rockets on Sunday night (Monday morning, Philippine time) at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Doncic finished with game-high 41 points, to go along with 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 31 points, while Kristaps Porzingis had a double-double of 23 markers and 13 boards for the Mavericks, who improved to 11 wins and 5 losses.
James Harden came one assist shy of a triple-double, producing 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists, but shot a horrific 2-for-15 from the rainbow territory. Russell Westbrook added 27, while Clint Capela once again had a huge double-double of 21 points and 22 boards for the Rockets, who dropped to an 11-6 win-loss card.
Houston’s bench production left a lot to be desired, as they could only muster 11 points from their reserves. Dallas, on the other hand, had 28 from their shock troopers.
Doncic and the Mavericks will yet again face two of arguably the league’s top perimeter defenders in the game, as they face the Kawhi Leonard – Paul George duo of the LA Clippers on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning, Philippine time) in Dallas, Texas.
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets will host the Miami Heat on Wednesday night (Thursday morning, Philippine time).
How they scored:
Mavericks 137 – Doncic 41, Hardaway Jr. 31, Porzingis 23, Finney-Smith 12, Kleber 11, Wright 9, Jackson 3, Brunson 3, Powell 2, Curry 2
Rockets 123 – Harden 32, Westbrook 27, Capela 21, Tucker 16, House 16, Rivers 4, Clark 3, Hartenstein 2, McLemore 2
AROUND THE LEAGUE:
(Road Team – Home Team)
BKN 103 – 101 NYK
SAC 113 – 106 WSH
PHX 104 – 116 DEN
NOP 109 – 134 LAC
GAMES TODAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2019 CT
BKN @ CLE 8:00 AM CT
ORL @ DET 8:00 AM CT
MEM @ IND 8:00 AM CT
CHA @ MIA 8:30 AM CT
SAC @ BOS 8:30 AM CT
MIN @ ATL 8:30 AM CT
PHI @ TOR 8:30 AM CT
POR @ CHI 9:00 AM CT
UTAH @ MIL 9:00 AM CT
LAL @ SAS 9:30 AM CT
OKC @ GSW 11:30 AM CT
Comments are highly appreciated. You may send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph and you may follow me @reylan_l on twitter.
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