Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving shine as Dallas Mavericks defeat Utah Jazz

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz 120-116 on Tuesday night behind an incredible performance from both superstars. Kyrie Irving came alive in the fourth quarter to lift Dallas to the win that secured a split of their six-game homestand. The Jazz were without Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton on Tuesday night in Dallas, but they put up an incredible fight. Ultimately, the Mavs just had a bit too much talent.

Luka Doncic did not have his best night, but he still put up monster numbers. He finished with 29 points, ten rebounds, six assists, two steals, and 1 block in 34 minutes of action. Number 77 went ten of 23 from the field, including hitting four 3-pointers, and he had six turnovers on Tuesday night. There were a few head-scratching passes against the Jazz, and Doncic was seen favoring his thigh on several occasions, but the league’s leading scorer just continues to produce.

It was a much-needed win for Dallas, who moved to 3-5 with Doncic and Irving sharing the floor since the trade. Both superstars played well, but the defense did not. It took a hot shooting night from Tim Hardaway Jr. to lift the Mavericks to the win. Here is a closer look at the game.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving shine as Mavericks defeat Utah Jazz

As always Luka put on a show. He had 12 points in the opening quarter, and that was only the beginning. Doncic found his jumper, and he knew exactly when to take over. Here is LD busting a Mavericks slump with a beautiful bucket inside.

It was Kyrie, who took over in the fourth quarter, to lift Dallas to the win. He had 17 of 33 points in the final period, including this beautiful 3-pointer.

It was an incredibly efficient performance from Irving on Tuesday night. He made ten of 18 field goal attempts, including thre 3-pointers, and was a perfect ten of ten from the free throw line. Irving also had six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals as the Mavericks outscored the Jazz by seven in his 39 minutes on the floor.

Reggie Bullock suffered a right quad contusion in the first quarter that kept him out for the remainder of the game. The Mavs have struggled mightily on the defensive end of the floor since the Kyrie Irving trade, and things could get worse if Bullock misses time. He is the team’s best perimeter defender and a key piece of their rotation.

The Mavs survived another injury scare in the second quarter. Tim Hardaway Jr. made his fifth 3-pointer and was white hot before backpedaling over the foot of Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy. He went down clutching his ankle, but luckily, THJ was able to stay in the game.

Hardaway Jr. finished 24 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals on March 7. Dallas needed someone to step up after Bullock’s injury, and THJ answered that call.

The Mavericks moved up to fifth in the Western Conference with the win over the Utah Jazz, who are fighting for a spot in the Play-In Tournament. There will be plenty of changes in the standings down the strech, but it was a key win for Dallas on March 7 over another team fighting for position in the West.

The Dallas Mavericks have zero time to rest as they travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans on Wednesday night. Luka Doncic is unlikely to play on the second night of a back-to-back, but the Mavs still need a win. Can they get it in New Orleans? Be sure to tune in to find out.