NBA Playoffs: Dončić keeps Mavs alive with crucial win over Warriors

Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Mavericks forced a Game 5 in the Western Conference Finals after holding off the fast-finishing Golden State Warriors to win 119-109 on Tuesday.

Luka Dončić scored a team-high 30 points for the Mavs against the Warriors.
Luka Dončić scored a team-high 30 points for the Mavs against the Warriors.  © USA TODAY Sports

Luka Dončić scored a team-high 30 points for the Mavs, including a crucial fourth-quarter dunk after the Warriors closed within eight points with 3:23 to play.

The Slovenian was one assist away from a triple-double, with 14 rebounds and nine assists along with two steals and two blocks, shooting 10-of-26 from the field.

The Mavericks shot 20-of-43 three-pointers for the game to stave off elimination, with Dorian Finney-Smith contributing 23 points and Reggie Bullock adding 18 points with six triples.

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Dallas, who trailed 3-0 in the series coming into Game 4, led by as much as 29 points after dominating the middle quarters before the Warriors stormed home with a 39-20 final quarter.

Warriors with big comeback push

Steph Curry top-scored for the Warriors, but he didn't have his best night from the three-point line.
Steph Curry top-scored for the Warriors, but he didn't have his best night from the three-point line.  © USA TODAY Sports

Golden State's bench players led the fightback, with Jonathan Kuminga scoring 17 points, but Steph Curry was their top scorer in the game, with 20 points.

Fifteen of Curry's 20 points came in the first half, while he also had five rebounds, eight assists and one steal.

The Warriors shot 10-of-28 from beyond the arc, with Curry only managing two-of-five from three-point range, while Klay Thompson went two-of-six for his 12 points.

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After the Mavs led 62-47 at half-time, the game was delayed for 16 minutes in the third quarter after heavy rain in Dallas leaked onto the American Airlines Center court from the roof.

In the end, Dallas held on, marking the fourth time it has won Game 4 when facing a 3-0 deficit in an NBA playoff series. The bad news is that the Mavs then lost Game 5 on the previous three occasions.

Golden State has led 10 playoff series 3-0 in the past, sweeping six and winning in five on four occasions. Game 5 will take place in San Francisco on Thursday.

Cover photo: USA TODAY Sports

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