Kyrie Irving had his best game of the season, scoring 48 points, while Dante Exum’s last-second 3-pointer pushed the Dallas Mavericks into overtime against the Houston Rockets.
Despite being down by 22 points, the Mavericks made an impressive comeback to win 147-136. Luka Dončić contributed 37 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds, leading the Mavericks closer to securing the fifth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
On the Rockets’ side, Dillon Brooks had a standout performance with 29 points, and Fred VanVleet added 24 points and 12 assists. However, their efforts weren’t enough as Houston faced their fifth consecutive loss after an 11-game winning streak earlier in the season.
In a crucial moment, with the Rockets leading by three points and 8.3 seconds left in regulation, Jabari Smith Jr. missed two free throws, allowing Dante Exum to make a crucial play. Exum quickly passed to Doncic, who then assisted Exum for the game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Irving’s stellar performance continued into overtime, where he scored 25 points, including two critical free throws that secured the victory for Dallas. With important contributions from players like P.J. Washington and Exum, the Mavericks sealed the win.
The victory marks Dallas’ 14th win out of the last 16 games, positioning them well for a guaranteed playoff spot in the West. Irving, who has been a key player since returning from injury, emphasized the team’s unity and perseverance throughout the game.
Houston faced challenges with injuries and an early ejection of Amen Thompson, but Dillon Brooks’ impressive 3-point shooting kept them competitive in the fourth quarter, albeit falling short in the end.
