The Dallas Mavericks surged in the third quarter to claim a dominant 110-93 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, putting an end to their frustrating four-game losing streak. Kyrie Irving and backup center Daniel Gafford led the charge with 22 points apiece, spearheading an impressive offensive display that helped Dallas regain momentum in the midst of a challenging stretch of games. The Mavericks’ recent losses had been heartbreakingly close, with the team falling short by a combined total of just eight points over the past four games. However, against San Antonio, they took control and left no room for doubt.
The game was a tale of two halves for the Mavericks. Despite a close contest through the first two quarters, Dallas used a commanding third-quarter performance to pull away from their opponents. Luka Dončić, the team’s superstar, contributed across multiple facets of the game, adding 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists to the team’s efforts. Jaden Hardy also stepped up, chipping in 12 points to round out the Mavericks’ balanced offensive attack.
The Spurs, who were missing their star rookie Victor Wembanyama due to a knee contusion and guard Devin Vassell due to a foot injury, still showed flashes of competitiveness throughout the game. Zach Collins led San Antonio with a season-high 20 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili contributed 14 points. Julian Champagnie and Stephon Castle added 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the undermanned Spurs, who have now dropped two consecutive games.
San Antonio started the game with energy and resilience, fighting back from an early seven-point deficit in the opening minutes. By the end of the first quarter, they had claimed a 28-23 lead, thanks in part to Champagnie, who sank two of three free throws with just 0.2 seconds left on the clock. The Spurs carried that momentum into the second quarter, building their lead to as much as eight points. However, midway through the quarter, the Mavericks began to find their rhythm.
After Zach Collins made two free throws to give the Spurs a 40-35 lead with just over six minutes left in the half, Dallas turned up the intensity. A series of timely baskets, including a driving layup from Gafford to tie the game at 47 with just over three minutes remaining in the half, shifted the momentum firmly in favor of the Mavericks. A three-pointer from Kyrie Irving and another from Luka Dončić helped extend the lead, though the Spurs managed to score the final four points of the half to narrow the deficit to 55-51 heading into halftime.
The third quarter proved decisive. Dallas came out of the locker room with a renewed focus, quickly extending their lead. Although the Spurs briefly pulled within six points on two free throws by Collins with just over eight minutes left in the period, the Mavericks responded with a relentless 12-3 run. Irving capped the surge with a tip-in layup that pushed Dallas’ lead to 78-63, putting the game firmly out of reach. The Mavericks maintained their dominance for the remainder of the contest, controlling the tempo and ensuring there would be no late-game drama.
The win marked a significant turnaround for the Mavericks, who had struggled to close out games during their losing streak. It also highlighted the team’s depth, with key contributions coming from role players like Gafford and Hardy. For the Spurs, the absence of Wembanyama and Vassell was glaring, but their young core showed promise, battling against a more experienced Dallas team.
With this victory, the Mavericks have regained some much-needed confidence as they look to build momentum moving forward. Meanwhile, the Spurs will aim to regroup and find their footing as they navigate through injuries to their top players.
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