Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks was pulling away from the starting bucket as the crowd erupted in place of departed star Dirk Nowitzki on the video board late in the first half.
Nowitzki’s old team joined in the celebration pretty quickly on the day his statue was unveiled.
Doncic scored 32 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 16 of his 26 points in a big third quarter for Dallas, and the Mavericks won Los Angeles Lakers 124-115 on Sunday.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James instructs his teammates on the floor as Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic defends him during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022.
(AP Photo/Emil T. Lippe)
Christian Wood added 30 points and a career-high seven assists as the Mavericks capped off Nowitzki’s celebration by winning just the second Christmas home game in club history.
Dallas took its first lead in the third quarter with 51 points, the highest-scoring Christmas quarter in NBA history and the best in the league this season.
“I think we needed to get the jitters out a little bit, some guys playing for the first time on Christmas,” Hardaway said. “Just being able to appreciate an opportunity.”
LeBron James scored 38 points, one shy of his season high, and the Lakers led by 12 early in the third before the Mavericks took over.
Wood started the spurt with a 3-pointer and Dallas was within one when Doncic had a chance to challenge James at the rim, but passed to Hardaway for a corner 3 and Dallas’ first lead at 65-63.
WARRIORZ’S JORDAN POOLE SHOUTED DURING GAME AGAINST NETTS: ‘DRAYMOND HIT YOU’
Dallas Mavericks forward Christian Wood (35) energizes the crowd during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022.
(AP Photo/Emil T. Lippe)
The Mavericks, who scored just 43 points in the first half and trailed by 11 at halftime, didn’t slow down.
Doncic, who had six of his nine assists in the quarter, made three free throws after a foul and technical on Russell Westbrook, Hardaway hit inside and outside and Wood made a 3-point play to surpass the 50-point mark.
Hardaway was 4 of 5 from deep in the third while Dallas went 9 of 13 as a team and shot 72% overall. Dallas outscored Los Angeles 51-21 in the third.
“We talked before the game about being ready to start, sustain and finish with energy, effort and competitiveness,” Lakers coach Darwin Hamm said. “We left him in the locker room at halftime.”
Reggie Bullock had 14 points for Dallas on 4-of-7 shooting from long range as Dallas went 18-of-44 (41%). Six different players had at least two triples.
CHRISTMAS WORK
Dallas lost its other home game on Christmas Day 11 years ago, when Nowitzki was the face of the franchise and the Mavericks were coming off their only championship. Miami won 105-94 in the opener of the lockout-delayed 2011-12 season.
BREATH FOR DONCHIC
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) prepares to make a layup as Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) defend him during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas on Sunday, December. 25, 2022.
(AP Photo/Emil T. Lippe)
Doncic was called for his sixth foul of the game against Austin Reaves with 3:50 left, but the decision was overturned on a replay. Reaves was called for a blocking foul and Doncic made both free throws. Doncic had nine rebounds.
TIPS
Lakers: James’ streak of seven games with at least 30 points is the longest active streak in the NBA. … Westbrook had 17 points and Reaves had 16.
Mavericks: J. Kemba Walker missed his second straight game as he rehabs a left knee injury. Walker was unsigned for the first six weeks of the season. The 32-year-old has had problems with his knees in recent years. … Dallas was also without G/F Dorian Feeney-Smith (right abductor strain), G Josh Green (sprained right elbow) and G Frank Ntilikina (left knee soreness).
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FURTHER
Lakers: At Orlando on Tuesday. LA won the series in two games last season.
Mavericks: Jalen Brunson returns to Dallas with the Knicks on Tuesday. Brunson was drafted in the second round the year Doncic went third overall (2018) and thrived as his partner before signing with New York as a free agent. The Mouse won the first meeting in New York this month.
