Porzingis’ big night leads Mavericks past Pacers 124-112
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Kristaps Porzingis posted season-high totals of 27 points and 12 rebounds in leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 124-111 victory at Indiana on Wednesday night.
Luka Doncic added 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists as Dallas snapped its first three-game losing streak in almost two years.
The short-handed Pacers have lost two straight by double digits, their two most lopsided losses of the season. Malcolm Brogdon had 26 points and Domantis Sabonis finished with 25 points and nine rebounds, ending his streak of consecutive double-doubles at 13.
Dallas took the lead for good on the final basket of the third quarter and pulled away with an 11-4 run in the fourth.
The Mavericks were in control most of the night after using an early 15-3 run to take a 37-22 lead late in the first quarter.
Indiana closed the deficit to 65-63 at the half, then took its first lead when Edmond Sumner‘s 3-pointer broke a 67-all tie early in the third. It didn’t last long.
Porzingis scored all of the Mavericks points in a 9-2 run and Dallas eventually extended the margin to 84-76.
Again, the Pacers charged back, tying the score at 86 on Brogdon’s second 3 of the game, taking an 89-88 lead on his next 3 and then making it 91-88 when Brogdon made a layup.
But Dallas answered with a 13-3 run to make it 101-94 and gradually pulled away late to seal it.
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Doncic appeared to hurt his left knee three times during the game. He limped around briefly each time but still managed to finish the game. … Trey Burke scored 22 points off the bench. Tim Hardaway Jr. had 19 points. … Dallas played without Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber Dwight Powell and Josh Richardson because of COVID-19 protocols. … The Mavs are 5-1 when scoring at least 110 points.
Pacers: Newly acquired guard Caris LeVert sat on Indiana’s bench and received a warm welcome from the small crowd when he was introduced late in the first half. … The Pacers gave up a season-high 37 points in the first quarter. … Center Myles Turner, the NBA leader in blocks, sat out with a fractured right hand. … Doug McDermott had 12 points and Aaron Holiday finished with 11. … Brogdon alos had five assists. .. Indiana was outrebounded 47-36.
HE’S BACK
In their first home game since trading two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo to Houston for LeVert, the Pacers got a familiar face back on the floor – guard Jeremy Lamb. He made his season debut came with 55.8 seconds left in the first quarter.
Lamb hadn’t played since injuring his left knee Feb. 23, 2020. He was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a torn medical collateral ligament and a fractured femur – the bone just above the knee. Lamb was perfect in the first half, going 4 of 4 from the field, including one 3 while making his only free throw. He didin’t make another shot and finished with 10 points in 19 minutes.
THEY’RE BACK, TOO
Indiana played its first seven games with only a few dozen people sitting in the second deck of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. That’s about to change.
A small crowd of season-ticket holders were seated in the first and second decks. When Toronto plays in Indy on Sunday and Monday, the Pacers can have up to 1,000 fans in attendance and they could start increasing the capacity as early as next week. County health officials have said the Pacers can have up to 4,500 fans in attendance.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: Play at San Antonio on Friday, the final stop on a three-game road trip.
Pacers: Host Orlando on Friday after sweeping the Magic last season.
