Whenever the Dallas Mavericks find themselves in a pickle, conventional wisdom suggests they already know they can turn to either Luka
Dončić or Kyrie Irving to get themselves out of a jam.
It happened again Tuesday night on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves as clutch baskets by Dončić and Irving rescued the Mavs and enabled them to walk away with a 120-114 victory.
First, a 24-foot, three-point bomb by Irving put the Mavs ahead of the Timberwolves, 112-107, with 2:31 remaining in the game. Then, an amazing 32-foot, three-point dagger by Dončić — with the 24-second shot clock about to expire — increased the Mavs’ lead to 117-109 with 1:04 left.
“I thought just our execution and our poise with those two as our quarterback (was solid),” coach Jason Kidd said. “I think having Klay (Thompson) in this close 
games, too – we’re getting used to him being able to run stuff with him involved as a screen setter.
“And then there late, you saw Luka and Kai on the back side. You’re talking about two of the best shooters in the league.”
Indeed, Dončić and Irving form arguably the best backcourt in the entire NBA who seemingly are at their best when the game is on the line.
Kidd said with Dončić and Irving on the floor: “Something that we talked about here in the last two years is we felt comfortable that we are going to get a wide-open look. And then understanding the difficulty of some of the shots that those two guys – Luka and Kai – can make.
“One, those two aren’t afraid of the moment, but they can also find the open guy to get a wide-open three. Kai had the game (against the Timberwolves) going and the ball was in his hands. He made some big, big shots.”
The biggest shot of the game, though, was made by Dončić, who has an innate way of making life miserable for opponents whenever the game is on the line.
“He loves to have the opportunity to win the game,” Kidd said, referring to Dončić. “He’s not scared, and he stepped up and made a big shot.”
It was a shot that has the Mavs entering this five-game home stand – it starts Thursday against the Houston Rockets – with a 3-1 record. And it comes after Irving collected 35 points and five assists against Minnesota, and Dončić added 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
“I thought this (win over Minnesota) was a step forward to playing better Mavs basketball as a team,” Kidd said. “Now, being able to have a home stand here – we’re home for a while – we’ve got to be able to protect home.
“This is definitely a win that we can build on.”
Here are some other nuggets surrounding Thursday’s game between the Mavs and Rockets.
*This is the first game of a season-high tying five-game home stand for the Mavs. The home stand also includes games Sunday against Orlando, Monday versus Indiana, Wednesday against Chicago and Nov. 8 versus Phoenix before the Mavs hit the road for a three-game trip which starts Nov. 10 in Denver.
*For the Rockets, this is the finale of a three-game road trip – all of it across the state of Texas – before they return home to host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Houston comes to Dallas after splitting a pair of games in San Antonio against the Spurs. San Antonio won Saturday’s game, 109-106, and the Rockets prevailed on Monday, 106-101.
*Luka Dončić leads the Mavs with 26.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg and 7.0 apg, Kyrie Irving averages 23.8 ppg and 5.3 apg, and Klay Thompson is averaging 16.5 ppg and is shooting a brisk 42.5 percent from three-point land. Also for the Mavs, P. J. Washington is averaging 11.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg, Dereck Lively II averages 9.8 ppg and 8.8 rpg, and Daniel Gafford is averaging 9.9 ppg and 6.3 rpg.
*Jalen Green (28.8 ppg), Fred VanVleet (14.8 ppg, 6.3 apg) and Alperen Sengun (14.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg) are carrying the biggest load for the Rockets. Houston also has received major productions from Jabari Smith Jr. (11.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg) and Dillon Brooks (10.8 ppg).
*Mavs forward P. J. Washington has steadily raised his game during the past two games. In Monday’s 110-102 win over the Utah Jazz, Washington collected 12 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and two blocks, and was 6-of-11 from the field. And in Tuesday’s 120-114 over Minnesota, Washington finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, and was 7-of-13 from the floor, including 3-of-6 from beyond the three-point arc.
*In Monday’s victory over the Spurs, Fred VanVleet buried a crucial three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to give the Rockets a 104-99 lead. Jalen
Green led the Rockets with 34 points, Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, and Alperen Sengun added 12 points and 12 boards.
HOUSTON ROCKETS (2-2) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: WFAA-8, KFAA-29, MavsTV Stream
Radio: KEGL 97.1 FM The Eagle, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)
X: @DwainPrice
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