Kyrie Irving shines in fourth quarter against the Hawks

ATLANTA: Kyrie Irving led a weakened Dallas Mavericks side to victory against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, scoring half of his 32 points in the fourth quarter.

Kyrie Irving filled Luka Doncic’s shoes, who is out with a sprained wrist, as he scored 32 points in the 41 minutes he played against the Hawks on Monday. He shot 39.3 per cent from the field, but had a better clip from beyond the arc at 46.2 percent, hitting 6 of his 12 threes. 

The Hawks took over early, as they had a 13 point lead with a little over two mintues to play in the first quarter, after De’Andre Hunter hit a layup before Kobe Bufkin sunk a pull up jumpshot.

However, those two minutes were enough for Dallas to claw their way back and bring the game within three. It was a widespread effort, beginning with a layup from P.J Washington, followed by put back layup from Daniel Gafford. Spencer Dinwiddie woudl then get fouled on a three he attempted from the left wing, earning three free throws, all of which he sunk. Naji Marshall would end the quarter with a three from the top of the key.

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The Mavericks would then take the lead a little over three minutes into the second quarter. Dinwiddie would score a few free throws, along with a fadeaway jumper, while Marshal, Gafford, and Washington each hit shots of their own. But, despite their efforts, the end of the second quarter would look much like the first, with the Hawks in the lead, courtesy of Jalen Johnson’s ten points in the quarter. 

The Hawks would stretch their lead to 11 points a couple minutes into the third. However, after Jaden Hardy, Marshall, and Gafford brought some life back into the Mavericks, Dinwiddie would hit a flurry of threes to tie the game at 86-86. Dallas would end the quarter with a one point lead. 

Quarter four would see Kyrie Irving put the Mavericks on his back as he carried them to victory. He scored half of all his points in the fourth quarter, beginning with a step back three pointer from the left wing to put Dallas up by two. He would hit a jumpshot soon after before sinking another three with seven minutes left in the quarter. It was the beginning of a bombardment, with the 2016 NBA champion hitting two more three pointers in quick succession, one from each wing. Kyrie would score two more points from a driving layup in the last minute of the game, putting the Mavericks up by ten. 

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Atlanta Hawks 129 – 119, putting their record at ten wins and eight losses. 

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