Dallas, TX — The Dallas Mavericks fell short of winning their 12th-straight home game with a 120-113 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Both teams showcased the strength in scoring from their starters but also the prowess of their reserves. By the conclusion of the game, Sacramento and Dallas each had five players score in double digits. Yet, what really mattered was the gritty win the Kings captured.
“…To get a win is big for us, especially with what their home record has been,” said Sacramento’s head coach Dave Joerger. “We wanted to hit first, we did that a little bit. Bjelica playing Harrison Barnes who is a good face up three/four. De’Aaron Fox had a terrific game. We kept trying to play fast, we are learning.”
Right out of the gate, Sacramento’s starting point guard De’Aaron Fox used his speed to burst out to 12 points followed by Buddy Hield’s seven points and two defensive rebounds. On the opposing side though, Luka Doncic led Dallas’ offense with eight of his own points followed by Harrison Barnes with seven. Doncic took advantage of the faster paced game by drawing early fouls on Sacramento’s Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nemanja Bjelica.
As the first period started to wind down, the home crowd really started to roar as Dirk Nowitzki made his home court debut in his 21st-season in the league. Although Dallas entered the second quarter down 34-31, the energy and play of Nowitzki helped bring the score to a tie midway through the period. Momentum continued to shift in favor of Dallas after a DeAndre Jordan dunk and Dwight Powell’s alley-opp from Jalen Brunson.
However, going into the third stanza, the Kings were leading by three, 61-58. Dallas needed to find a way to contain Fox and Hield if they wanted to win. Hield proved to be a defensive nightmare for any match-up and tallied 17 points, while Fox managed to score 14 points with his coast-to-coast drives. Coach Carlisle rotated Maxi Kleber to assuage Sacramento’s penetration into the paint – he couldn’t stop them either.
Despite Doncic rallying to close the night out with 28-points, nine assists, and six rebounds, the Mavericks did not have a defensive answer for the lightning quick offense from the Kings. Sacramento not only took home the win, but ended Dallas’ home winning streak with a 120-113 victory. Hield finished with 28-points, four rebounds, and two assists while his teammate Fox also chipped in with 28-points, three rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block.
“We are young and we like to have fun. That’s what we do. W started off that way in training camp, making plays and getting out on the open court,” Hield expressed after the game on the mentality of his team.
“It’s a long season,it’s a process league and despite injuries on the team and off nights shooting wise, it comes down to rallying around communication and keeping yourself ready for any match-up,” Dallas’ head coach Carlisle emphasized after the game.
The Dallas Mavericks will now travel with four games on the road against the Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers,Golden State Warriors, and Portland Trailblazers. Sacramento will stay on the road one more game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
