Dallas guard Luka Doncic had 25 points against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Image: dpa)
(Photo: Jeff Chiu/AP/dpa)
Los Angeles – The Dallas Mavericks around national player Maxi Kleber have increased the difficulties of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA and won 109:104 in California.
The Texans gambled away a 21-point lead at times, but in the end, led by Luka Doncic, clinched victory relatively safely. For the Mavericks it was the eighth win in the last ten games in the world’s best basketball league, while the Lakers suffered their sixth defeat in the past seven games and have fewer and fewer chances of directly qualifying for the playoffs. Doncic had 25 points, Lakers star LeBron James had 26 points.
“We had to stick together and implement our plan,” Doncic told US television about the Lakers’ interim high. “We have a great team.” Defending is the key to success, said the Slovenian. “I think we’ve improved a lot.”
“We have to hold on to a lead like that and we can’t give it up so quickly, that was very bitter. We were 15 up at half-time and then within a few minutes it was a tight game,” Kleber told the German Press Agency. “All in all, we’re happy that we got the win in the end.” Kleber emphasized that his team made great progress over the course of the season. “I think we have a strong team,” he said.
The defeat put the Lakers behind city rivals Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers won their away game against the Houston Rockets 113-100. Dennis Schröder did not have a good throwing evening and only hit two of his eight attempts for the Rockets. He had eight points, four rebounds and six assists. Isaiah Hartenstein scored six points for the Clippers.
The Golden State Warriors, meanwhile, continued to fall behind leaders Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference. There was a 114:129 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns had the most of the evening with 39 points and played a decisive role in the Timberwolves’ home win.
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