Doncic propels Mavericks with record triple-double
Luka Doncic became the first NBA player to record six consecutive 30-point triple-doubles as the visiting Dallas Mavericks pulled away in the second half and beat the Detroit Pistons 142124 on Saturday night.
Doncic finished with 39 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, eclipsing Russell Westbrook's mark of five straight 30-point tripledoubles. He also extended his own record with a fifth straight 35-point tripledouble.
Kyrie Irving added 21 points for Dallas, which has won two in a row after a three-game losing streak.
Cade Cunningham had 33 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for the Pistons, who have lost 10 of 12. Simone Fontecchio added a career-high 27 points. CLIPPERS 112, BULLS 102 >> Paul George scored 22 points, Kawhi Leonard added 19 and host Los Angeles rallied for its third straight victory, beating Chicago. James Harden had his second triple-double of the season with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the Clippers. Norman Powell came off the bench and scored 18 points, including a pair of 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter as the Clippers scored 11 straight points to open the period after trailing 85-83 after three.
DeMar DeRozan had 24 points and 10 assists, but the Bulls had their threegame winning streak snapped. Nikola Vucevic added 22 points and 11 rebounds.
HORNETS 110, NETS 99 >> Miles Bridges had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Brandon Miller added 23 points and host Charlotte delivered another blow to Brooklyn's sagging playoff hopes. Nick Richards added 15 points and 11 rebounds and Vasa Micic chipped in with 12 points and 10 assists for the Hornets (16-48), who snapped a six-game losing streak.
Cam Thomas returned from a six-game absence due to an ankle injury and scored 31 points, but the Nets (25-39) fell 4 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the 10th and final playin spot in the Eastern Conference with their third loss in four games.
PACERS' MATHURIN OUT FOR SEASON >> Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin will have surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and will miss the rest of the season. The Pacers said Saturday that the procedure will be performed next week in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Mathurin was averaging 14.5 points in his second NBA season. He was the MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend, which was played in Indianapolis.
MONEY GESTURE HAS GOBERT IN HOT WATER >> Rudy Gobert's money gesture toward an official likely will draw the NBA's wrath.
Minnesota's center said his reaction was worth every penny.
Gobert was called for a technical foul in the closing seconds of regulation Friday night in the Timberwolves' 113-104 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers when he rubbed his fingers together several times, implying referee Scott Foster might be on the take.
After being whistled for his sixth foul and being ejected, Gobert stayed on the floor and made the gesture as Foster was going to the scorer's table. Foster didn't see Gobert, but official Natalie Sago did and issued the technical on Gobert.
Following the game, Gobert, who has a reputation for being outspoken, didn't deny what he did and went further in saying gambling could be having a major impact on the outcome of games.
“I'll bite the bullet again,” Gobert said. “I'll be the bad guy. I'll take the fine, but I think it's hurting our game. I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn't feel that way.”
Gobert's actions and remarks almost certainly will be reviewed by the league. He faces a possible fine and suspension.