Dallas fans have protested since the deal was made. Shock was a common reaction. Even fans in attendance on Saturday afternoon at American Airlines Center were wearing Luka Doncic shirts and jerseys with the Maverick logo crossed out.
Fans were despondent, dejected. Anthony Davis tried his best on Saturday to cheer them up.
Davis was dominant from the get-go in the Mavericks’ 116-105 win over the visiting Houston Rockets (32-20), hitting perimeter shots, blocking shots at the rim, rebounding relentlessly, dunking ferociously.
The Mavericks (28-25) raced out to a 33-20 lead after one quarter. Davis played 11 of 12 first frame minutes, and it was a stellar output. 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, on 6-for-8 from the field.
In 31 minutes total, AD was 10-for-18 from the field (2-for-2 from deep, 4-for-6 from the line) for 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks. He exited the game with an abdominal injury, but he said postgame that it was not a serious injury.
Fellow new Maverick acquisition Max Christie was 4-for-5 from downtown with 23 points.
For the Rockets, all-star big Alperen Sengun scored 30 points and had 8 rebounds on 11-for-19, while Jalen Green was 10-for-21 with 24 points.
Davis’ performance no doubt was his own personal showcase to the world the type of player that he is, his overall ability and how he can control all aspects of the game. Proving himself and wanting to endear himself to Maverick fans surely was on his mind, too.
Like Scottie Pippen when Michael Jordan took his foray into baseball, and like Kobe Bryant with his nine consecutive 40-point games in 2002-2003 (the streak lasted from February 6 to February 23, with Shaquille O’Neal missing three games from February 16-19, 2003), you could tell that Davis was out to prove just how good he is and remind people of the type of player that he is going back to his New Orleans’ days. Davis is averaging 25.7 points and 12.0 rebounds this season, and in seven seasons as a Pelican averaged 23.7 points and 10.5 assists.
Davis is all-world, and Saturday was a friendly reminder to NBA fans just how good he is. Here’s hoping he can stay healthy throughout the rest of the season. The Mavericks, with their interior defense, good guard play, and quality wings could make some noise.
Around the League
Zion Williamson scored 40 points (4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals) in the Pelicans’ 123-118 road loss to the Sacramento Kings. Williamson played just 28 minutes and was 16-for-21 from the field and 8-for-11 from the free-throw line. He became the first Pelican player to score 40 points in 28 minutes and just the 11th player in NBA history to do so. The Pelicans, 12-40, are just 4-22 on the road and have lost six consecutive games. Domantas Sabonis’ 27 points and 16 rebounds led the Kings (26-26, 14-13 at home).
The Los Angeles Lakers (31-19) held a 44-22 lead over the Indiana Pacers (29-22) after the first quarter on their way to a 124-117 win. Austin Reaves poured in 45 points with 7 rebounds and 7 assists, Rui Hachimura scored 24 with 9 rebounds, and Pascal Siakam’s 23 points and 6 rebounds led the Pacers, while Tyrese Haliburton put up 19 points and 9 assists.
The Orlando Magic (26-28) defeated the 22-28 San Antonio Spurs 112-111. Franz Wagner’s 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists (14-for-28) led the Magic, while Devin Vassell scored 25 on 11-for-14 shooting. 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks was Victor Wembanyama’s line.
The Atlanta Hawks (25-28) defeated the Washington Wizards 125-111 in Washington, led by Trae Young’s 35 points and 14 assists (13-for-26). Bub Carrington scored 23 points and had 7 assists on 5-for-7 from downtown to lead the Wizards (9-43).
The Golden State Warriors (26-26) came back from a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat the Chicago Bulls 132-111. The Warriors outscored the Bulls 77-42 in the second half, and were led by Stephen Curry’s 34 points and 6 assists (8-for-16 from downtown). Jimmy Butler, in his first game as a Warrior, put up 25 points on 7-for-12 shooting (11-for-13 from the free-throw line). Coby White’s 27 points (6-for-9 from deep) led the Bulls.
The Oklahoma City Thunder (42-9) defeated the Memphis Grizzlies (35-17) 125-112 on the strength of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32 points and 8 assists. Aiding the MVP candidate, who was just 8-for-26 from the field, was Aaron Wiggins with 26 points and 11 rebounds (9-for-18) and Jalen Williams with 25-6-6 on 12-for-20 shooting. Desmond Bane’s 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists (7-for-15) led the Grizzlies.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (30-23) got a 16-point win over the Portland Trail Blazers (23-30) 114-98.
Jaden McDaniels scored 30 points on 12-for-17 with 10 rebounds, while Naz Reid put up 23 points and 8 rebounds on 5-for-9 from deep. Nickeil Alexander-Walker put up 21, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds on 4-for-8 from downtown.
The Blazers, were led by Anfernee Simons’ 21 points on 9-for-21 shooting. Portland has been on a roll since January 19, 10-2 in their last 12 games, 3.5 games back of 10th in the western conference.
Jayson Tatum scored 40 points (13-for-26 shooting, 7-for-14 from downtown) to lead the Boston Celtics (37-16) over the New York Knicks (34-18) by a score of 131-104 at MSG.
Jalen Brunson, with 36 points and 5 assists on 10-for-18, led the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns struggled with 9 points and 9 rebounds on 3-for-8 shooting.
Jamal Murray scored 30 points on 6-for-9 from downtown, Nikola Jokic posted 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists (11-for-13) to lead the 34-19 Nuggets to a 122-105 win over the Phoenix Suns (26-26). Devin Booker’s 24 points and 7 rebounds (8-for-19) led the Suns while Bol Bol off the bench put up 19 points and 7 rebounds (8-for-17).
The Los Angeles Clippers (29-23) took care of the Utah Jazz (12-39) with a 130-110 home win. Norman Powell (26 points, 9-for-18) and Ivica Zubac (26 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 13-for-16) led the way in the scoring column while James Harden scored 23 points with 17 assists. Jordan Clarkson (8-for-19) was the high man for the Jazz with 24 points.
The Clippers agreed to a contract with the recently bought out Ben Simmons. Simmons will give them an additional distributor and perimeter defense.
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