Sat, Jan 14, 2023 page7

• Doncic nets two big threes as Mavs down the Lakers

  • AP, LOS ANGELES
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  Luka Doncic on Thursday hit tying three-pointers in the final seconds of regulation and the first overtime, finishing with 35 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists in the Dallas Mavericks’ 119-115 double-overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

  Doncic highlighted his 56th career triple-double with that pair of clutch three-pointers, hitting with six seconds left in regulation and again with 47.8 seconds to go in the first overtime.

  Christian Wood added 24 points and 14 rebounds in the Mavs’ fourth straight win over the Lakers.

  

  Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, right, shoots over Max Christie of the Los Angeles Lakers, top left, in their NBA game in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday.

  Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA Today

  “We knew we weren’t out of it,” said Tim Hardaway Jr, who had 22 points and eight rebounds. “Anytime you’ve got [No.] 77 on the floor, you know there’s a chance.”

  Spencer Dinwiddie scored twice in a late 6-0 run to put it away in double overtime for the Mavs, who won for only the second time in five games.

  Russell Westbrook scored 28 points, while LeBron James had 24 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who have lost two straight after a five-game winning streak.

  “We gave ourselves a chance to win,” said James, who went nine of 28 and missed all seven of his three-point attempts. “We just couldn’t come through late in the game.”

  Los Angeles rallied all the way back from a 19-point regulation deficit and got to the brink of an unlikely win, but could not match Doncic’s dramatic flair.

  “I’m more tired now,” said Doncic, who rested for only 9 seconds in the final 40 minutes of play. “I think I was good in the game with the energy. Now I need to rest.”

  The Lakers took a lead on Dennis Schroder’s layup with 1 minute, 31 seconds left, before Westbrook made two free throws with 11.8 seconds left for a 101-98 lead.

  Doncic calmly moved past a perimeter screen and drilled a tying three-pointer for his first field goal of the fourth quarter.

  “I was a little bit surprised [because] I thought they were going to foul, honestly,” Doncic said. “I tried to get it up before they fouled.”

  The Lakers had double-teamed Doncic throughout the fourth quarter except on that possession, and coach Darvin Ham said he wished he had instructed his players to force another player to try the shot.

  “He made a tough shot, simple as that,” Westbrook said. “You just move on.”

  Troy Brown missed a three-pointer at the regulation buzzer, failing to get a foul call on what appeared to be clear contact from Hardaway.

  The Lakers pressured Doncic again in the first overtime and Westbrook was called for a flagrant foul midway through the period.

  James hit two free throws to put the Lakers up 108-105 late in the first overtime, but Doncic hit another tying three-pointer and Wood blocked James’ layup attempt shortly before the buzzer.

  Doncic then hit the go-ahead layup midway through the second overtime.

  Elsewhere, the Heat burned the Bucks 108-102, the Celtics crushed the Nets109-98, the Cavaliers downed the Trail Blazers 119-113, the Thunder thrashed the 76ers 133-114 and the Raptors swatted away the Hornets 124-114.
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