The Dallas Mavericks hosted the Sacramento Kings again Sunday afternoon where they found revenge on the team that beat them by 31 just over a week ago.
Dallas came into the game looking to avoid a three game losing streak as they lost to the Jazz and Pistons over the last two games. Now they tried to contain DeMarcus Cousins in their last home game before their road trip.
They were still without Dirk Nowitzki, J.J. Barea, and Andrew Bogut due to injury.
For the Kings, they came into Sunday evening riding the momentum of a big win against the Memphis Grizzlies two nights before. After beating the Mavs by 31 points in Dallas just over a week ago, they looked to build off their winning ways on Sunday.
The Kings were without Rudy Gay and Omri Casspi.
The Game
Dorian Finney-Smith opened up the game with a three from the left wing as Dallas looked to get off to a hot start. The Kings made it their first quarter objective to go to DeMarcus Cousins a lot as the big man had Salah Mejri on him the majority of the quarter. Dallas took a seven point lead into the second quarter despite 14 points from Cousins.
The second quarter was used by Dallas to build on their momentum as they continued to shoot the ball well from the field. Dallas actually had a transition highlight as Seth Curry went behind the back on a fast break to Finney-Smith for the slam. Dallas ended the first half up 55-44.
Dallas continued their hot shooting as four of the five starters went into double figure scoring in the third quarter. At the end of the third quarter, Dallas was shooting 46% from the field and 36% from behind the arc. They went into the fourth quarter up by 18.
Sacramento tried to make a run at the beginning of the fourth quarter with Cousins on the bench, but Dallas answered the call. After hitting double figures in three pointers made, Dallas got revenge and won the game comfortably 99-79.
*Mavs second round pick, A.J. Hammons, logged 15 minutes tonight while Justin Anderson played the last few minutes of garbage time.
Deciding Statistic
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Everyone, including the Dallas Mavericks, knows that DeMarcus Cousins is arguably the most talented center in the league. But what about the rest of his teammates?
Cousins will likely get his numbers on a nightly basis, but it’s his teammates that normally decide the outcome of the game.
Even though Rudy Gay was out, the Mavericks held all other non-Cousins Kings to 46 points.
Player of the Game
The Mavericks had a well-rounded game as no player had over 20 points, but six players were in double digits. But through his impact on both ends of the court, undrafted forward Dorian Finney-Smith is the player of the game.
Finney-Smith and his improving outside shot finished with 17 points on 29 minutes of play.
DeMarcus Cousins finished with 33 points on 12-24 from the field.
The Mavericks have a quick turnaround as they head to Denver on a second night of a back-to-back on Monday.
