Dallas Mavericks clinch playoff berth with win over Raptors

The Dallas Mavericks edged the shorthanded Toronto Raptors 114-110 on Friday night to secure a playoff berth. It was far from comfortable, but the win locked them into the top six. Luka Doncic led the Mavs on a run of 12 victories in the last 15 to lift them out of the play-in tournament. The seeding will not be decided until the final night of the season, but Dallas will be in the playoffs for the second straight year.

Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the Mavs on May 14. It was just his second game back after missing nearly two weeks of action. The Unicorn is showing no rust, though. He had 21 points, ten rebounds, and two assists in 34 minutes of action. It was fantastic to see KP playing significant minutes and looking sharp on Friday night.

It was not Luka’s best game, but he secured his 11th triple-double of the season with a rebound in the fourth quarter. The 22-year-old still gets it done even when he is not shooting the ball well. Here is a closer look at the game and what Dallas will be playing for on Sunday night.

Dallas Mavericks clinch playoff berth with win over Toronto Raptors

KP had a beautiful show-and-go in the first quarter for an easy bucket.

It is fantastic to see Porzingis attacking the rim. He continues to knock down outside shots, but the increased rim attacks this season have improved his efficiency tremendously. See the Unicorn drill a 3-pointer below.

KP threw down a thunderous slam in the fourth quarter off a beautiful find by Tim Hardaway Jr. See the rim rocker below.

Doncic had this key dunk in the final stanza to lift Dallas to the crucial victory.

Luka had a triple-double, but Stanley Johnson and the Raptors played strong defense on the 22-year-old superstar. He finished with 20 points, ten rebounds, 11 assists, and one block in 34 minutes of action. Doncic shot just seven of 19 from the field, but hit all five of his free throws.

Jalen Brunson chipped in an outstanding performance off the bench. He was shaken up a bit in the second half but returned to the game for key fourth-quarter minutes. JB produced 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists in the massive victory. He was eight of 11 from the field in his 25 minutes against the Raptors.

It was not their best performance, but the Mavs got the job done to secure a place in the top six. Josh Richardson nailed four late free throws to keep the pressure of the play-in tournament off. The Mavericks wanted no part of one game potentially ending their season. They will be in the playoffs, but there is still plenty to decide over the next two days.

The Dallas Mavericks have just one game left in the regular season. Their final contest is on Sunday in Minnesota against the Timberwolves. Dallas will be playing for playoff seeding. A win secures them fifth in the West. If the Mavericks lose and Portland wins, the Trail Blazers will be fifth with Dallas slipping to sixth. Fans will not want to miss it, so please tune in and enjoy the game.