Doncic, Kleber lead Mavericks past Carlisle, Pacers 132-105

Published Jan. 29, 2022 9:37 p.m. ET

Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had 30 points and 12 assists and the Dallas Mavericks spoiled former coach Rick Carlisle's return with Indiana, routing the Pacers 132-105 on Saturday night.

Carlisle coached the Mavericks during the past 13 seasons, leading the team to its lone title in 2011. He resigned June 16 and rejoined the Pacers a week later. The 62-year-old coach was recognized with a video tribute before the game, tears streaming down his face afterward.

Reggie Bullock added a season-high 23 points, hitting 6 of 7 3-pointers, and Maxi Kleber had 15 points and 13 rebounds — one short of his career high — on his 30th birthday. The Mavericks have won 13 of 16 to improve to 29-21.

Duane Washington Jr. led the Pacers with 22 points, and Domantas Sabonis had 21 points and 15 rebounds. Coming off an overtime victory Friday night at Oklahoma City, Indiana has lost four of five to fall to 18-33.

Kristaps Porzingis left the game in second quarter with right knee soreness. Dallas’ No. 2 scorer averaging 19.7 points, Porzingis had five points and one rebound in 11 minutes.

Dallas led 34-23 after one period, with Doncic scoring or assisting on 26 points. Bullock scored 14 points in the second period, hitting all five of his shots and three 3-pointers.

Indiana’s Myles Turner, who leads the NBA averaging 2.8 blocks per game, missed his eighth consecutive game because of a stress fracture in his left foot. Malcolm Brogdon sat out for the fifth straight game with a sore right Achilles. Goga Bitadze, who started four games recently when Sabonis was sidelined with a sprained ankle, missed the game with a foot injury.

TIP-INS

Pacers: Washington scored 10 points, hitting two 3-pointers, in the first three minutes of the second quarter. … With Sabonis playing 44 minutes Friday in his first game back, he played 29 on Saturday and sat out most of the fourth period.

Mavericks: For the fifth time in their last seven games, they never trailed. … Saturday’s game was their second of four straight and six of seven against teams under .500.

UP NEXT

Pacers: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.

Mavericks: At Orlando on Sunday night.

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