Unstoppabble Doncic goes off for a near triple-double performance as Mavs clinch playoffs berth / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports Credit David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic almost had another 35-point triple-double as the visiting Dallas Mavericks (48-29) 120-112 (34-30, 27-37, 39-22, 20-23) beat the Cleveland Cavaliers (42-34) and clinched a spot in the playoffs.

Player of the Game EFF 44 Luka Doncic Points 35 Accuracy 14-26 Rebounds 9 Assists 13

Doncic accumulated 35 points (11/20 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 4/4 FT), 13 assists, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, and 3 turnovers.

Dallas has won five out of the last six and 13 of 17.

Forward Dorian Finney-Smith contributed a career-high 28 points for the Mavs, including six 3-pointers.

Caris LeVert had a team-high 32 points for the Cavaliers, his high since coming to Cleveland at the trade deadline. Darius Garland added 25 points and 10 assists for the Cavs, while Lamar Stevens added 16 points, Lauri Markkanen had 13 points and center Moses Brown added 12 points and nine rebounds.

Brown, currently on his second 10-day contract, made his first start for the Cavs. Rookie Evan Mobley sprained his left ankle and will miss at least the next three games, including Dallas.

Cleveland, which travels to Atlanta on Thursday, has lost four of its last five games.

Guard Jalen Brunson contributed 18 points for Dallas, gunning for its first 50-win season since 2014-15. Center Dwight Powell had 15 points.

Doncic erupted for 20 points and the Mavs closed the third quarter on a 15-2 run and take a 100-89 lead heading into the final quarter. Dallas outscored the Cavs 39-22 in the third.

Garland and LeVert each had 23 points after three quarters for the Cavs, who began a stretch of four games in five nights.

LeVert scored 10 consecutive points for the Cavs, who took a 55-51 lead midway through the second quarter.

He ended the first half with 21 points, as Cleveland led 67-61. Brown had seven points and eight rebounds in the first half against his former team. He was waived by Dallas at the trade deadline.

Doncic had 12 points, 11 assists and three rebounds in the first half for Dallas.

The Mavs made eight 3-pointers to grab a 34-30 lead after the first quarter. Doncic had six points and eight assists in the opening quarter.

LeVert had nine points for the Cavs.

Cavaliers: Caris LeVert 32 (8/15 2PT, 3/4 3PT, 6 REB), Darius Garland 25 (6/13 2PT, 4/4 3PT, 10 AST, 4 STL, 4 TO), Lamar Stevens 16 (6/9 2PT), Lauri Markkanen 13 (4/6 2PT, 1/6 3PT), Moses Brown 12 (5/5 2PT, 9 REB).Mavericks: Luka Doncic 35 (11/20 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 9 REB, 13 AST, 2 BLK), Dorian Finney-Smith 28 (4/4 2PT, 6/12 3PT), Jalen Brunson 18 (7/11 2PT, 5 REB, 6 AST), Dwight Powell 15 (5/5 2PT).

Luka Doncic highlights

Full game highlights

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