In the duel between Jokic and Doncic, two of the favorites to win the MVP, a secondary actor appeared, but who, from time to time, shows his enormous talent. Kyrie Irving, on the last play of the clash, gave the Mavericks the victory against the Nuggets 107-105, with a left hook from five meters.
The recent NBA champions, who were leaders in the West until last night’s defeat, had only lost one game after the All-Star break. Even so, Michael Malone’s team performed below the level we are accustomed to, especially in defense, since at halftime they had received 61 points, 23 of them from Doncic.
Despite the poor defensive work of the champions, the Colorado team was still fully involved in the match, since they only lost by three at the end of the first two quarters.
In the third period, the Mavericks maintained control of the match, despite a start to the quarter where the Nuggets seemed to be slowing down. However, with just over two minutes left, Doncic asked for a change and went straight to the locker room. There was silence in the American Airlines Center, until Irving appeared. The Australian-born point guard scored seven points in a short phase of the match, to make it 88-79 in favor of his team.
The good news did not stop for the Texas team, since the Slovenian, recovered from the discomfort, returned to the court to increase the lead to 13 points. However, it was not a definitive victory, since Jamal Murray combusted and reduced the difference to one point (101-100) with 1:42 remaining.
Dallas was reeling. Doncic missed one of his two free throws and, on the subsequent play, Jokic, who did not have the best game as he only scored 16 points, tied the score. The Slovenian’s wrist tightened and he missed a shot before Murray, with a three-pointer, put the Nuggets three points ahead.
The Mavericks, who had squandered a good lead, seemed defeated, but their two offensive geniuses appeared. Doncic took responsibility to score a triple that made it 105-105. Even so, the last possession was going to be for Denver, specifically for Murray, who, freed, failed with three seconds remaining.
The match was heading towards overtime, until Irving, with a hook from five meters and overtaken by Jokic, unleashed madness at the American Airlines Center. The Mavs, with this 107-105 victory, are tied for sixth place, while the Nuggets lose the lead at the expense of the Thunder.
Irving, with 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, was key in the victory, although Doncic was also spectacular, with 39 points and nine rebounds. Jokic, MVP favorite, praised the Slovenian after the match: “He deserves it 100% (the MVP).” With one month left until the end of the regular season, everything is open, including the award for best player, although it seems that it will end up in the Western Conference.
