Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving keep Mavericks hopes alive with clutch win over Kings

The Dallas Mavericks started a three-game homestand on Wednesday night knowing that they had to win every game. Dallas still needs help to reach the postseason, but they must take care of their business to have any chance. It started against the Sacramento Kings on April 5, and the Mavs answer the bell with a 123-119 win at the American Airlines Center.

There were rumors about Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving being shut down, but both superstars shined against the Kings on Wednesday. They want to push Dallas into the postseason and see if they can advance through the Play-In Tournament, but there is still plenty of work to do, and the Mavericks need help.

The Dallas Mavericks' defense was suspect again on Wednesday night, but their offense was not going to let them lose. They have their two superstars to thank as Dallas got the first of three much-needed wins. Here is a closer look at their performance on April 5.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving keep Mavericks' postseason hopes alive with win over Kings

Luka is pushing to make the playoffs, and that was clear from the opening tipoff on April 5. Doncic was aggressive as he looked to will his team to victory over the Kings. Number 77 found his jumper as he put on a show.

Doncic finished with 29 points, ten rebounds, and six assists in 38 minutes of action on Wednesday night. He made nine of his 19 field goals, including hitting three 3-pointers as Dallas outscored the Kings by 13 with number 77 on the floor.

It was a slow start for Kyrie Irving, but he came alive in the fourth quarter as the Mavericks needed every point. The eight-time All-Star had 12 points and six assists in the first three quarters before going off for 19 in the fourth to lift Dallas to a season-prolonging victory.

Tim Hardaway Jr. got hot for the Mavericks on Wednesday night. He finished with 24 points on eight of 14 shooting from the field, including hitting five 3-pointers against the Kings. Dallas had to win a shootout on April 5, and THJ stepped up to make sure the Mavericks finished it off.

Things fell apart a bit for Dallas in the second quarter. The Mavs were up by one at the end of the first quarter before allowing 44 points in the second. Their defense is why the Mavs find themselves outside the Play-In Tournament, and it was bad again in those 12 minutes. Dallas bounced back in the third and the score tied entering the final period. The Mavericks won the fourth, thanks to Kyrie, and picked up their 38th win of the season.

Dallas got a much-needed clutch wins after plenty of struggles in those situations, and there is hope about reaching the postseason.

The Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder have the same record with two games to play in the regular season, but OKC holds the tiebreaker. Luka Doncic and company need to win their final two games if they want to make the postseason.

The Dallas Mavericks host the Chicago Bulls on Friday night, and Chicago is thinking about resting its star players. Can the Mavs take advantage and get a second straight win to keep their postseason hopes alive? Stay tuned to find out.