DALLAS — Luka Doncic had 34 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 113-97 on Thursday night to advance to the sixth and final guaranteed playoff position in the Western Conference.
Dallas earned its third straight victory and seventh in eight games. The Mavericks and Phoenix – Thursday night home winners against Atlanta – are both 41-29, but the Mavericks hold the tiebreaker against the Suns. Sacramento is a half-game behind.
Doncic, who has 18 triple-doubles this season, had no rebounds or assists in the fourth quarter, playing four minutes. He shot 11 of 23 from the floor, 4 of 10 on 3s.
Daniel Gafford added 24 points, his best game since his acquisition in early February, on 10 of 11 shots. Gafford entered the game leading the NBA in shooting with 70.8%.
“He’s got great hands,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said of Gafford. “His ability to finish in traffic is something we haven’t had.”
Gafford missed the second half of the second quarter after collapsing on the field and being helped to the locker room, then returned to start the second half.
Kyrie Irving scored 16 points, 11 in the second half.
The Mavericks had 33 assists, four shy of their season high in their 147-97 victory over the Jazz at home on December 6.
“The guys are very unselfish and it’s really fun to watch and be a part of,” Kidd said.
The Jazz have been swept back-to-back, losing at Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, and have lost four straight and 15 of 18. They are eight games out of qualifying for the play-in with 12 games remaining.
Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 21 points after missing the previous seven games with a quadriceps injury. Collin Sexton added 20 off the bench for his sixth straight game with at least 20 points.
Dallas led by 19 points after seven and a half minutes behind. The Mavericks outscored the Jazz 27-15 in the second quarter to lead 53-42 with Utah shooting 31.6% in the period, 0 for 9 from deep and committing. seven turnovers.
Utah shot 4-of-30 from 3 overall, Markkanen shot 1-of-9.
“It was a really tough night shooting the ball,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “Credit to Dallas. It’s a very good team.
Doncic came out of what Kidd called a “human game” in which the sixth-year superstar had a triple-double but made just 6 of 27 field goal attempts while scoring 18 points for his lowest total since mid-November.
The Jazz were missing Jordan Clarkson, their third scorer. He missed his fifth straight game with a groin injury. The Mavericks played without Josh Green, who missed his third straight game with a sprained right ankle.
FOLLOWING
Jazz: At Houston Saturday night.
Mavericks: At Utah Monday night to begin a five-game road trip.
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