“Second Nature”: Anthony Davis’ Game-Winner Lifts Mavericks Past Hawks as Dereck Lively II Returns
Anthony Davis hit a game-winner and finished with 34 points as the Mavericks edged the Hawks 120-118. Dereck Lively II returned after missing 36 games.
With the game tied and just seconds remaining, Anthony Davis calmly delivered a shot he’s practiced for years — a signature midrange jumper from the left side — to seal the Dallas Mavericks’ 120-118 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center.
“I’ve been shooting that shot since I was playing in New Orleans, so it’s a shot that I’m very comfortable and familiar with,” Davis said. “Coach [Jason] Kidd drew up a play for me to have the ball on the left side of the floor, which I like to get to. I just beat my man and shot a shot that I’ve been shooting for a long time. When you work on [that shot] so much it becomes second nature.”
The shot — a leaning floater over Onyeka Okongwu with 3.4 seconds left — capped a monster performance from Davis, who finished with 34 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in 30 minutes despite a first-quarter collision that required tape above his right eye.
The win moves Dallas to 38-39, a game-and-a-half ahead of 10th-place Sacramento in the Western Conference. Coupled with Washington’s victory over the Kings, the Mavericks strengthened their hold on the No. 9 seed with five games remaining.
A Big Night for Bigs
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