Brunson stated, “I saw how hard they were playing when I was lying back there.” Brunson said, “It gave my a little mojo that I could go back out there and do what I want.”
Brunson scored 31 points while playing with a sore back. The Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 126 to 118 on Thursday night for a 2-1 lead in their first round playoff series.
Brunson stated, “We are all on the same page.” “We are all clicking. “We’re all talking and communicating.”
Jason Kidd, Dallas coach, isn’t content with the series win and road win.
Kidd stated, “I told the guys that we haven’t done anything.” They won at our place, and now they won here. This is our chance to learn from this experience and move on to the next game.
It is hard to see the Mavericks performing better without Doncic, and we hope that Doncic will be back for the next game.
Spencer Dinwiddie scored 10 points of his 20 in the fourth quarter. Maxi Kleber scored 17 points for Dallas. Dorian Finney Smith added 14 points. Dorian Finney Smith had 14 points. Dorian Finney Smith hit a 3-pointer with 1:156 remaining for a 10-point advantage.
Doncic missed the last three games of the series due to a strained leg. Signs point to Doncic’s return for Game 4 in Salt Lake City on Saturday.
Utah’s Donovan Mitchell scored 28 out of 32 points in the second period. Bojan Bogdanovic scored 24 points, while Mike Conley scored 21. The Jazz had won 11 consecutive home victories against Dallas.
Conley led the Jazz to 103-102. However, Dinwiddie scored two baskets, and Brunson scored six points in three possessions to make it 112-104.
Kleber stated, “His shot-creating abilities and shot-making have been incredible all season. But the determination he shows down the stretch to hit big shots and the confidence that he has are just fun to see.”
Brunson seemed to have hurt his back halfway through the second quarter, when Royce O’Neale swung at him from behind. Brunson moved slowly, rubbed his lower back, and was awarded a technical as he left the court complaining about a poor shot.
Brunson did not want to go into detail about the hit that Brunson made after the game. Brunson said, “I said what was necessary” on the floor.
He reacted well and played with Jazz on several drives to the baskets, against a variety of defenders. Brunson has scored 96 points through the three games. In the two previous games, he has only one turnover.
He’s special in his physical strength, his ability to keep his dribble alive on the court where he uses his body most. Quin Snyder, Utah coach, said that Quin Snyder is able to play with his feet, so if anyone wants to help, he can find someone and spray the ball out.
SHORT BENCH, BIG RESULT
Although the Mavericks were very shorthanded, the bench was a huge help.
Kidd stated, “I trust all of them guys and we just want them to succeed.”
Kleber, Davis Bertans (15 point) and Josh Green (12 point) combined shot 11 for 17 from behind 3-point line. They scored 44 points.
It’s about trusting one another. Bertans stated that every man, if they take a great looking, they’re happy, and believe in one another.
All in all, the Dallas reserves beat the Utah bench 49-24.
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Kleber went 8 for 11 in Game 2 from 3-point range, and he made three consecutive plays in his first two minutes. Kleber stated, “I just let it go.” Unless Dallas makes a deep run, Tim Hardaway Jr. will likely be out of the playoffs. … Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Cuban and the team celebrated in the locker room.
Jazz: Olympic gold medalist skier Lindsey Vonn sat on courtside with Floyd Mayweather. Clarkson attempted a three-quarter court shot, but it was just after the first quarter horn. … Eric Paschall played only 10 minutes (at the center), but scored six points, and Utah outscored Dallas nine times during that time.
