Mavs rip Warriors on Nowitzki’s night
DALLAS — Luka Doncic scored 26 points and the Dallas Mavericks celebrated before a ceremony to retire Dirk Nowitzki’s number by beating cold-shooting Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors 99-82 on Wednesday night.
The Mavericks knew the night belonged to their franchise icon, and that Nowitzki’s No. 41 wasn’t going to the rafters until after they played the team with the NBA’s best record.
Dallas responded with its first four-game winning streak of the season in Doncic’s third game back since a 10-game absence caused by left ankle and knee issues and a positive COVID-19 test.
Playing without sidekick Kristaps Porzingis, who went into the health protocols just as Doncic came out, Dallas’ sensation played aggressively and was 10 of 12 on free throws with eight assists and seven rebounds.
Curry was coming off his worst shooting night of the season, and this wasn’t much better, going 5 of 24, including 1 of 9 on 3-pointers, to finish with 14 points.
SPURS 99, CELTICS 97
Gregg Popovich became the first to coach 2,000 NBA games with the same team, and Dejounte Murray scored 22 points to lead San Antonio to victory at Boston.
Devin Vassell and Derrick White each had 17 points for the Spurs, who snapped a four-game losing streak.
ELSEWHERE
Pascal Siakam scored 33 points as visiting Toronto beat short-handed Milwaukees 117-111. The Bucks had three players and coach Mike Budenholzer in health protocols and were without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to an illness unrelated to COVID-19. … Bojan Bogdanovic scored a season-high 36 points and Utah stretched its road winning streak to 10 games by beating Denver 115-109. … Kevin Huerter scored five of his 25 points in the final 38 seconds and Atlanta, which only had eight players available, won at Sacramento 108-102. …
Max Strus had 25 points as Miami won 115-109 at Portland despite the absence of Jimmy Butler with an ankle injury. Miami also overcame the first-half ejection of Kyle Lowry, while Portland was without Damian Lillard, who is suffering from lower abdominal tendinopathy. … Kelly Oubre Jr. hit a careerhigh nine of Charlotte’s franchise-record 24 3pointers and the Hornets routed visiting Detroit 140-111. … Joel Embiid scored 31 points as Philadelphia won at Orlando 116-106. … Karl-Anthony Towns had 17 points and 16 rebounds in his return to the lineup from health protocols in Minnesota’s 98-90 win over visiting Oklahoma City.