Luka Doncic catapulted the Dallas Mavericks to a long-suffering victory over the Denver Nuggets (117-124) and assured Efe, at the end of the game, that defending and staying united was the key to emerging victorious from overtime.
“Being together and defending: that’s what gave us the victory in extra time,” summed up the Slovenian at the press conference after the match.
Doncic threw claw and epic, and stroked the triple-double with 38 points (13 of 22 shooting), 13 assists, 9 rebounds and 4 steals versus 8 losses.
The Mavericks star started the game somewhat erratic and also with slight problems in his left ankle, but after the break the Doncic of the great nights appeared and scored 9 points in overtime that were definitive to defeat the Nuggets.
The Texans seemed to have settled the game with two seconds left in the fourth quarter with a triple by Maxi Kleber, but an excellent Nikola Jokic (38 points and 11 rebounds) scored a saving basket for the Nuggets that forced extra time.
In this sense, Doncic appreciated that the Mavericks are gaining confidence to solve tight games.
“The truth is that we have not been good in those moments (in the last two seasons), but I think we are growing,” he said.
“We are not there yet, there is a long way to go. But I think we are going to that point,” he added.
Doncic also spoke of his weak first half, where he suffered a tough defense from a tireless Gary Harris.
“I was frustrated (at halftime) because I took the last shots very badly. I couldn’t find my teammates, I shouldn’t take those shots,” he admitted.
“The losses have been my problem that I must improve,” he added.
TRUST IN CAMPAZZO
The followers of Real Madrid had this match on the calendar since Luka Doncic and Facundo Campazzo, both former players of the Spanish team, were going to meet for the first time in the NBA.
However, Campazzo did not play any minutes today despite coming off two very outstanding performances with the Nuggets.
In any case, Doncic, who was seen sharing some affectionate moments with Campazzo off the track, highlighted once again his absolute confidence that the Argentine will end up triumphing in the NBA.
“It is always very nice to see Facu,” he said.
“As I said before, when he has the opportunity to show who he is, I think he is going to do very well in this league. And for sure that will happen,” he said.
