While ballots cast by U.S. citizens were tallied throughout the states, Luka Doncic continued his campaign for Kia Rookie of the Year.
Doncic helped the Mavericks snap a six-game losing streak, putting up 23 points with six rebounds and three assists in the Mavs’ 119-100 win over the struggling Wizards. Doncic, the No. 3 overall pick as a guard-forward in the 2018 draft, was atop our Rookie Ladder after the first week of play, and he hasn’t slowed down.
Luka Doncic floats it in high off the glass! He has a team-high 19 PTS with a few minutes left in Q3.
📺: @NBATV pic.twitter.com/GX4A9ToCzj
— NBA (@NBA) November 7, 2018
Through 10 games, Doncic is averaging 19.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
Wesley Matthews had a hot second quarter and helped the Mavericks tie a franchise record with 13 3-pointers in one half and the most in a second quarter (9). Matthews contributed four treys in the second and had five for the half, finishing with 23 points.
Both the Wizards and Mavericks looked for a lift as they entered Tuesday night’s game with identical 2-7 records. Fresh from snapping a five-game skid with a victory over the Knicks on Sunday, the Wizards squandered a chance to build a little momentum. Instead they sputtered out of the gate. A nice third-quarter run after falling behind 70-49 at the half couldn’t make up ground as the Mavericks finished strong.
Bridges to burn
Hornets rookie Miles Bridges, the No. 12 pick in the 2018 draft, left no doubt about his hops in the first quarter versus the Hawks. Bridges, a 6-foot-7 forward, missed a shot from the left baseline and Willy Hernangomez grabbed the rebound. As the Hawks converged, Bridges saw a lane and took the feed from Hernangomez for a thunderous tomahawk slam.
For good measure, Bridges rubbed it in a little bit by mimicking the motorcycle “vroom, vroom” rev that Vince Carter did with both hands earlier. Carter, who’s been in the league for as long as Bridges has been alive, dunked it after a baseline move a couple of minutes before Bridges.
Vince Carter spins and throws it down! #TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/EmsMzcCwv5
— NBA (@NBA) November 7, 2018
McCollum’s big night
C.J. McCollum continues to show why he and Damian Lillard are one of the best backcourts in the NBA. McCollum turned in a stellar shooting night — 17-of-26 — as he erupted for a season-high 40 points and dished six assists, quieting the hot Bucks 118-103.
In the third quarter alone, McCollum posted 19 points to help put the game out of reach.
Under-the-rim prowess
Tony Parker displayed crafty patience and faked two defenders from the same pivot point near the Hawks’ basket.
And this happened …
- Caris LeVert continued his strong early-season play, scoring 26 points in the Nets 104-82 victory over the Suns.
- Kemba Walker stayed on a torrid scoring pace, sinking 29 points in the Hornets’ 113-102 win over the low-flying Hawks. Walker is averaging 29.1 points through 11 games.
