Luka Doncic's monster triple-double leads Dallas Mavericks to overtime victory over Milwaukee Bucks

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Doncic vs. Bucks

Luka Doncic willed the Dallas Mavericks to an overtime victory over the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks. 

First, he helped the team rally from seven points down (119-112) with just under two minutes to go in regulation, by scoring or assisting on five of the team's seven points as they held the Bucks scoreless to force overtime.

Then, in the high-scoring extra session, he was responsible for 12 of the team's 17 points including this ridiculous between-the-legs, left-handed dime to Maxi Kleber:

"I don't know why I did it," Doncic said of his flashy dime. "I just did it. I saw it, I don't know. I didn't think about it before — right in the moment."

For the game, he finished with a monster stat line of 36 points, 19 assists, and 14 rebounds in 41 minutes of action. His 19 assists set a new career-high and matches LeBron James' tally for the most in a single game this season. 

Against the league's best defence and playing in overtime for the third time in five games in the bubble, the 21-year-old only committed two turnovers while shooting 12-of-24 from the field. 

This was his third triple-double in Orlando and a league-best 17th for the season. 

En route to putting up these numbers, he passed Michael Jordan and became the youngest player in NBA history with at least 35 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds.

The Slovenian created 45 points off of his assists in this contest, just two off the league-best tally of 47 by James. He's the only player in the league this season with multiple games of creating at least 40 points off assists. 

“Makes his teammates better. Talented. Really talented," reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said on Doncic postgame. "One of the most talented players I’ve ever played against.”

The Greek Freak finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks in 33 minutes of play. Brook Lopez (34 points) and Khris Middleton (21 points, 11 assists) were the other key contributors for the Bucks, who have now lost both their games to the Mavericks this season.

While Doncic stuffed the stat sheet, he had plenty of help on the offensive end, with Kristaps Porzingis finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists in 40 minutes, while Dorian Finney-Smith put up 27 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.

Despite the high level of competitiveness in this game, the result had no consequence on the standings. The Bucks had already locked up the best record in the league while the Mavericks have secured the seventh seed in the Western Conference. 

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