During the NBA’s Monday slate, Luka Doncic scored 53 points in his return to the lineup, and Spencer Dinwiddie scored 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Detroit Pistons 111-105.
This season, Doncic has scored four of his five career 50-point games, including a career-high 60 against the Knicks on Dec. 27. As a result of his 53 points, he tied Dirk Nowitzki for the second-most in Dallas history.
Averaging 33 points a game, Doncic had 24 points in the first quarter and 18 in the third quarter. He had missed Saturday’s game at Utah after spraining his left ankle three-plus minutes into last Thursday’s game at Phoenix. Dinwiddie scored 12 points after scoring 36 and 35 points in Doncic’s absence in the previous two games.
On the court, Doncic is usually animated and vocal, and he was particularly engaged with Pistons assistant coach Jerome Allen during the game.
“From the first quarter, he was just chirping,” Doncic said. “I don’t want to say the words. I have no problem with that. It’s basketball. It gets me going, for sure.”
Dallas (27-25) moved into sixth place in the Western Conference, one half-game ahead of the play-in teams. Bojan Bogdanovic scored 29 points, and Saddiq Bey scored 18 for the Pistons (13-39), who have lost six straight.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks & Detroit Pistons Updates
Dallas led 109-105 with 46 seconds left when Doncic connected on a shot that bounced off the front rim and dropped in. After Bogdanovic missed a long 3-pointer near the right sideline amid traffic, he landed on his backside and was out of bounds.
“We thought Bojan got fouled,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “You still have to play in all those situations and close out the game, because we put ourselves in a situation to win.”
A total of 31 fouls were called on the Pistons versus 18 on the Mavericks. Doncic converted 14 of 18 free throws, while Detroit knocked down 19 of 27.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks & Detroit Pistons Updates
Dallas opened the fourth quarter on a 9-2 spurt with Doncic on the bench, as Dinwiddie scored six points on his first three field goals. Detroit led by 11 in the third and 84-83 heading into the fourth. Despite a 10-0 deficit, Detroit took the lead with 4:41 left in the first quarter to lead 57-53 at the half.
