Maybe in honor of the eclipse, the Mavericks played one of their weirdest games of the season Sunday afternoon.
From the very start, there was a lot of crazy stuff going on Sunday at American Airlines Center.
First, the Mavericks had a total blackout in the first half, falling behind the Houston Rockets by 22 points less than 24 hours before the official total solar eclipse will happen.
What seemed like light years later, after endless twists and turns, Dante Exum hit a three-pointer at the regulation buzzer to force overtime. And, finally, the game ended like we all hope the eclipse ends on Monday, with a sunny sky and a lot of great memories after the Mavericks pulled out a 147-136 victory over the Rockets.
“Definitely one of those special moments in Dallas Mavericks history here at the AAC,” said Kyrie Irving. “We got a chance to come back from 22 down and work our way back into the game and continue to trust our work. It felt good. It was a tough one.”
It was an all-galaxy day for Irving and Luka Dončić, who combined for 85 points, 48 of them coming from Irving, who had 19 of the Mavericks’ 31 in the fourth quarter (and another six in the OT). But the contributions came from everywhere.
Exum was huge with the shot that forced overtime on a play that featured Luka giving up the ball rather than forcing a tougher three-pointer.
“I was going to shoot it, but then I saw two people on me, so I saw Dante open, so of course I’m going to pass it,” Dončić said. “That’s the trust we have right now.”
The play started with Exum giving the ball up and allowing Luka to make the decisions.
“I just tried to get the ball to Luka, and I knew they were going to try to double (team),” Exum said. “Luka’s obviously great knowing that two guys are going to double him and trusting his teammates.”
P.J. Washington was another key contributor with a game-best 13 rebounds and the Mavericks simply gutted out a game that looked like a goner for the longest time.
The Mavericks never trailed in the overtime and when Washington nailed a corner three with 59.1 seconds to go, they had a 142-136 cushion.
When the overtime buzzer sounded, the Mavericks did not have pandemonium. Just a lot of group hugs, including Luka and Kyrie embracing with their arms around each other.
“It’s a great moment,” Dončić said. “Chemistry is big. It was a great moment for everybody. We all trust each other. Trust is big.”
The Mavericks improved to 48-30 and won all three games on this home stand to strengthen their hold on the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference. They also eliminated the 38-40 Rockets from postseason contention.
“Trust,” coach Jason Kidd said, summing up the key to the game. “For Luka to trust down the stretch, Exum makes the big shot. Just the trust when the double teams (come).
“We have each other’s backs. We’re playing for something bigger than just the back of the jersey. We’re playing for one another. You can see the chemistry, the celebration at the end. It takes a long time to build that. That just doesn’t happen overnight. But the beauty of Kai and Luka hugging there at the end . . . those two trusting in their teammates that were out on the floor was huge.”
The end of regulation was remarkable.
The Rockets got a three-pointer from former Maverick Reggie Bullock with 58.3 seconds left to go in front 128-126. Maxi Kleber got a great look at a three-pointer, but could not convert it and when Fred VanVleet, who had terrific all-around game with 24 points and 12 assists, hit the first of two free throws, the Mavericks had an opening.
They ran a well-executed play for Irving, who had been sizzling in the fourth quarter, but narrowly missed on a three-pointer from the left wing.
The Mavericks put their best defenders on the floor for the Rockets’ inbound play, but ended up fouling Jabari Smith Jr., who somehow missed both free throws to crack the door open.
Exum kicked it in with a three-pointer at the buzzer that came after Luka passed up a three-pointer to get a better look for Exum.
“It was everyone,” Kidd said. “Exum makes the big shot. I thought the execution late-game, we got the foul, got lucky with the missed free throws. And then Kai had a great look.”
Again, it was not the prettiest night for the Mavericks. But it was a win. If they need any more reminders of what they look like when their defense abandons them, they can just replay the tape of this game.
The Rockets had a great offensive game and were playing from in front virtually the entire night.
Dončić got rolling with a couple of close-range buckets as the Mavericks scored six quick points to get within 89-87.
“Kai got going. So did Luka,” Kidd said. “But Kai having almost 50 points, we’re going to rely on those two. And that’s what we should do. Kai understands when it’s time to go. And when to play off of Luka. But also the trust. They’re going to get double-teamed and for them to trust that the next person is going to make the right play.”
Things were sideways from the start for the Mavericks, who had eight turnovers in the first 11 minutes and fell behind by as much as 22 points at 58-36 midway through the second quarter.
The early portion of the game also included an ejection of Houston rookie Amen Thompson, who was off to a good start until he gave a strong forearm to the neck area of Maxi Kleber with just over four minutes left in the first quarter.
By then, the Mavericks already were down 26-9.
With 1.9 seconds left in the opening quarter, Dončić picked up a technical foul – on a call that went his way. He raised both hands upward and mouthed something to the Mavericks’ bench. That apparently was enough to make the referees believe they were being mocked and the tech was called.
It was that kind of day. Must have all been eclipse-related.
“The beauty of that locker room, no one caved,” Kidd said of being down 58-36 midway through the second quarter. “No one let go of the rope. No one quit. We just kept working. The hard work and trust paid off and it just continues to get stronger.”
And, while it took some time, the rally was completed successfully.
X: @ESefko
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