Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving showcase offensive potential as Mavericks defeat Sixers

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 133-126 on Thursday night as the team played their best games since the blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving. Everyone knew the Mavs offense could be special by adding Kyrie next to Luka Doncic, but the March 2 win was something fans could only dream of. Dallas shot 54.9 percent from the field, and they scored 110 points in the first three quarters.

Doncic led the charge with 42 points, 12 assists, four rebounds, and one stela in 39 minutes of action. He made 13 of his 22 field goal attempts, including hitting seven 3-pointers as Dallas outscored the Sixers by 18 points with their 24-year-old superstar on the floor.

The Mavs had struggled since the trade. They were just 1-4 when Doncic and Irving played together, but they appeared to figure things out on Thursday night. Philadelphia made a hard charge in the fourth, but Dallas got a much-needed win. Here is a closer look at the team’s impressive victory before taking a glance at what is next.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving showcase offensive potential as Mavericks defeat Sixers

It was a special night for the Mavericks superstar duo from the opening tipoff. They were playing off each other and making plays all over the floor. The duo combined for 45 points in the first half with seven assists on 16 of 24 shooting from the field. Things continued with a quick 10-2 run to open the third quarter, including this 3-pointer in transition.

Irving had a game of his own on Thursday night against the Sixers. He finished with 40 points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals on 15 of 22 shooting from the field, including hitting six 3-pointers. The Mavs outscored Philly by 15 with Kyrie on the floor.

The eight-time All-Star carved up the defense on multiple occasions, but none were prettier than when he split a double team for an impossible finish in the third quarter.

Dallas played faster against the Sixers and got a bunch of easy buckets in transition. The Mavs played at one of the slowest pace in the league before the trade, but getting some easy scores appears to be part of the plan after adding Kyrie.

It was a special offensive night for the Mavericks that showcased their immense potential, but the same problems were on display too. Dallas could not get a stop all night, they shot just 66.7 percent from the free throw line, and Philadelphia had a six-rebound edge on Thursday night. The Mavs have zero answers for any team on the defensive end of the floor. They are relying on outscoring the opposition every night, which will be difficult to do, especially in the postseason.

It took an incredible performance from both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, plus the Mavericks' role players sinking open shots at an unsustainable clip to defeat the Sixers at the American Airlines Center. It was an impressive win because the Mavs offense was phenomenal, but it is not something Dallas can rely on every night.

The Dallas Mavericks got a much-needed victory on March 2, but things are not about to get easier. They host the Phoenix Suns on Sunday afternoon in a marquee matchup. Kyrie Irving will face former teammate Kevin Durant for the first time since they left Brooklyn. Everyone will be talking about the showdown, but can the Mavs make it two straight wins? Tune in to find out.