Australians in the NBA - Exum, Mavericks prove too hot

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Dante Exum had 13 points, four rebounds and five assists for the Mavs in their win.

Luka Doncic has registered 35 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to become just the second NBA player to record five consecutive 30-point triple-doubles.

Doncic matched Russell Westbrook, who had five consecutive 30-point triple-doubles in 2017 for Oklahoma City. The All-Star, who leads the league in scoring, also became the first player in history with four straight 35-point triple-doubles.

"It's great, especially when it comes with a win," Doncic said after Dallas (35-28) snapped a three-game skid by beating Miami 114-108.

Doncic shot 12 of 24 overall and 7 of 13 on three-pointers in 40 minutes.

"I've always said we can't take that young man for granted," Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said.

"You're seeing something as rare as a Picasso."

He becomes the 2nd player in NBA history to total 5-straight 30+ point triple-doubles! pic.twitter.com/2sxq5noEEk

Kyrie Irving added 23 points while Australia's Dante Exum had 13 points, four rebounds and five assists for the Mavs who trailed 101-100 before a 10-4 run that included triples by Doncic, Exum and Irving.

Exum began the run with a shot from outside that just beat the shot clock. Doncic's turnaround, step-back three also barely beat the buzzer after a wild scramble for the ball. After Terry Rozier hit from deep to pull the Heat within 106-104, Irving made his three after a missed Dallas shot was touched by multiple players.

"Once I let it go, I knew it was going in," Doncic said.

Rozier had 27 points and 11 assists for Miami, for whom Boomers captain Patty Mills didn't debut for after his trade from Atlanta days earlier.

In Denver, the defending champion Nuggets held on to defeat the current NBA-best Boston Celtics, 115-109.

Nikola Jokic recorded his 20th triple-double (32 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists) of the season and Jamal Murray added 19 points and eight assists to sweep their season series with the Eastern Conference leaders.

Jaylen Brown scored a season-high 41 points and had 14 rebounds for Boston (48-14), who dropped consecutive games for the first time since early November.

Denver (43-20) are third in the West, two places behind Minnesota after their 113-111 triumph at Indiana.

Anthony Edwards matched his season high with 44 points, made a tiebreaking three-pointer with 1:11 remaining and came up with a spectacular block at the buzzer for the short-handed Timberwolves (44-19).

Rudy Gobert added 18 points and 14 rebounds for Minnesota.