(Dallas) Luka Doncic scored 35 points as the Dallas Mavericks edged the Toronto Raptors 111-110 on Friday night.
Posted yesterday at 11:41 p.m.
Doncic had at least 30 points in his eighth straight game to open the season, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to achieve the feat. Chamberlain had such a streak in 1959-60 and 1962-63, this time for 23 games.
Doncic played for over 36 minutes and surpassed 30 points with 18.7 seconds remaining in the third quarter, on a jump shot to the back.
The Raptors, who trailed by 19 points in the third quarter, closed the gap to 108-105 with just 35.5 seconds left in the game.
Doncic hit the first of two free throws with 15.9 seconds left to give the Mavericks a four-point lead. OG Anunoby dunked with 11 seconds left, but Spencer Dinwiddie hit both of his free throws to put the game out of reach for the Raptors, with three seconds left. Anunoby made a three-pointer to the sound of the siren.
Dinwiddie had 21 points and seven assists for the Mavericks, who posted a third straight win to go 5-3.
The Dallas squad outscored the Raptors 14-2 in the first four minutes of the second half to take a 73-57 lead. During that streak, Doncic had five points, two steals, a rebound and an assist.
Anunoby scored 27 points for the Raptors, who were coming back from wins by 30 and 43 points. The most recent, Monday in San Antonio, was the most decisive road trip in team history.
Pascal Siakam added 18 points for the Torontonians while Montreal’s Chris Boucher finished his night’s work with 17 points.
Doncic scored 14 points in the first quarter, playing every minute, and he had two points in the second quarter, playing only the last four minutes of that span.