Mavericks Take Down Spurs in Kawhi Leonard’s Debut

The Dallas Mavericks started strong and finished strong as they took down in-state rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, 95-89. This win ended a streak of 5 straight home losses to the Spurs, as well as losing 10 of the last 11 against San Antonio. The Mavs also spoiled Kawhi Leonard’s season debut.

What a game for the Dallas Mavericks. After two tough losses to the Spurs in the month of November, the Mavs exacted revenge tonight, putting together strong quarters in the first and fourth on their way to the 6-point win. The Mavs lost to the Spurs in their first meeting of the season by 7 and then in the second meeting by 6 before figuring it all out in tonight’s victory.

The Mavs controlled the start and end of the game fully as Dallas outscored the Spurs 30-23 in the first and 28-20 in the fourth. The Mavericks led throughout the entire first half, aside from the first basket of the game. Dallas stumbled into halftime with only a two-point lead, which faded all the way to a 7-point deficit into the 3rd quarter. Dallas clawed back in the third to trail by only two going into the final period.

Dwight Powell scored the first 6 points of the 4th quarter and the rest was history as Dallas led the entire period. The Spurs scored only 6 buckets the entire 4th, as well as going 7-8 from the free throw line. Dallas, meanwhile, went 11-21 from the field in the fourth, sealing their 8th victory of the season.

The Mavs were led in scoring by Harrison Barnes with 17, who helped keep the Mavs afloat during the drought through the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Wesley Matthews, Yogi Ferrell, and JJ Barea all ended with 16 apiece and Dwight Powell added a nice double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Barea once again led the team with 6 assists.

DALLAS, TX – DECEMBER 12: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks is seen before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 12, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Powell and Wes had the biggest impact in the 4th quarter, as Dwight led off the scoring and Wes kept it going during crunch time. The Spurs were led in scoring by (surprise) LaMarcus Aldridge with 23, while Rudy Gay dropped 21 coming off the bench. Kawhi Leonard scored 13 points in 16 minutes during his limited season debut.

Dallas will look to take this momentum into a tough matchup with the Steph Curry-less Golden State Warriors on Thursday, Dec. 14. The game will be in Golden State where the Mavs will try to figure out how to slow down the rest of their weapons.

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Dallas earns a great win against the tough San Antonio Spurs and will conclude their season series two games from now on Saturday, in San Antonio. No matchups with the Spurs will be very welcoming during the 2nd half of the season in 2018.

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