NBA: Mavs lose in Doncic’s return, Jazz levels series at 2-2

Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert shoots past Dorian Finney-Smith of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of Game Four of the Western Conference First Qualifiers at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 23, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Getty image via AFP)

NEW YORK – Rudy Gobert’s steep jump with 11 seconds left gave the Utah Jazz a 100-99 win over Dallas on Saturday at Luka Doncic returns from injury for the Mavericks.

Slovenia star Doncic, who has been out of action since April 10 due to a strain on his left calf muscle, scored 30 points in a penalty shootout while scoring 10 rebounds but his late-game heroes were nowhere to be found. enough.

Doncic sank a player to give Dallas the lead and added a pointer with 39 seconds remaining to put the visitors Mavericks 99-95 ahead.

But Utah’s Donovan Mitchell responded with a three-pointer, and after Dwight Powell missed two free throws for Dallas, Gobert’s low shot created the decisive points.

Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic beats Danuel House Jr. of the Utah Jazz during the first half of Game 4 of the Western Conference First Qualifier at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 23, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Getty image via AFP)

Dallas had one last possession but the Utah defenders surrounded Doncic, who passed it to Spencer Dinwiddie only to see the final shot drop.

“We were trying to get it out of Luka’s hands, trying to get him through,” Gobert said of the final game. “We did a great job of stopping him and not letting him get shot.”

“We had a chance. We just let it go,” said Dallas coach Jason Kidd. “Spencer has done that scene before. We got what we wanted. It just didn’t come down to us. “

Jordan Clarkson led Utah with 25 points from the bench while Mitchell added 23 points for the Jazz.

The win elevated Utah to 2-2 in the first series of seven games, which continue Monday in Dallas and Thursday in Utah.

Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz drives into Reggie Bullock of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of Game four of the Western Conference’s First Qualifier at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 23, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Getty image via AFP)

“We have an opportunity and we’re going to make the most of it,” said Gobert, who finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds. “We trust each other. We must continue.

“Intensity. We have to leave it there, communicate and make them earn everything. We came to the win because we made them play hard and we won it. ”

Kidd was pleased with Doncic’s contribution of his 34 minutes.

“He did a great job,” Kidd said. “He did an incredible job for us. He put us in a position to win a match on the road. ”

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