Stats Rundown: 3 Numbers from an Improbable Mavericks Win Over the Grizzlies

The Dallas Mavericks couldn’t find any rhythm all game, but it didn’t matter. Luka Doncic saved the day with a game-winning, stumbling, circus shot 3-pointer and the Mavericks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 114-113. It was probably one of the sloppiest games of the year for the Mavericks, but it didn’t matter, because Luka.

Doncic led all scorers with 29 points, adding nine assists and five rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 21 points and six rebounds. In an unlikely twist, Grayson Allen led the way for the Grizzlies, scoring 23 points on 6-11 shooting from deep. Jonas Valanciunas was unstoppable down low, scoring 19 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.

Here are three stats from a game where the Mavericks snatched victory from the jaws of defeat:

4: The number of points Luka Doncic had in the first half.

Doncic didn’t necessarily struggle in the first half, but seemed to look for his teammates to make shots. He constantly passed out of midrange shots and floaters he usually take. Unfortunately his teammates weren’t able to convert on a lot of those shots he created for them. The four points is Doncic’s lowest point total in any half this season.

48: The number of seconds the Mavericks led in the last three quarters.

The Mavericks played from behind most of the night. Any time they closed the gap, the Grizzlies would go on a run and extend the lead back to six or so. In the end, it wouldn’t matter, because of Luka magic.

1.3%: The Mavericks’ chance of winning with 2.2 seconds left.

Per Inpredictable, when Grayson Allen rebounded Doncic’s missed free throw, the Mavericks had only a 1.3% chance of winning the game. Allen was fouled and sent to the charity stripe to ice the game. Incredibly, Allen, a 91% free throw shooter, missed both attempts. Doncic made sure to make them pay, and the Mavericks provided an illustration of why sometimes it’s better to be lucky than to be good.

Here’s the postgame podcast, Mavs Moneyball After Dark. If you can’t see the embed below “More from Mavs Moneyball”, click here. And if you haven’t yet, subscribe by searching “Mavs Moneyball podcast” into your favorite podcast app.