Dante Exum got here up clutch to make two essential free throws and a pair of 3-pointers to assist the Dallas Mavericks to a 113-107 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday afternoon.
Exum, who missed 22 video games throughout January and February with a plantar fascia sprain in his proper foot after which proper knee bursitis, has been strong since making his return off the bench for Dallas.
The Australian had been given a beginning position earlier than struggling the damage, rewarded for a stellar stretch in December which noticed Exum common 15.3 factors and 4.5 assists.
However even when Exum didn’t begin on Wednesday the Mavericks teaching workers clearly trusted him, protecting the versatile guard on the ground down the stretch and he repaid the religion.
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Exum’s eight factors within the fourth quarter introduced his whole to 16 to go along with a pair of assists and a rebound whereas the 28-year-old additionally completed with a game-high plus-minus of +16.
“Exum down the stretch was big, hit large threes,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd mentioned post-game.
These clutch photographs from Exum have been notably necessary as celebrity teammate Luka Doncic had a tough capturing evening, going 6-for-27 from the sphere on the best way to 18 factors.
Nonetheless, Doncic had a triple-double after additionally recording 10 rebounds and 16 assists within the win.
“… Luka had quite a lot of nice appears to be like tonight, it simply didn’t fall for him however with the ability to discover his teammates and belief them down the stretch is what a pacesetter does and he did that tonight,” Kidd mentioned.
Kyrie Irving, in the meantime, began the sport 7-for-7 from the sphere and completed with 28 factors, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Exum’s manufacturing although was notably necessary as too typically the Mavs have been overly reliant on their celebrity duo of Irving and Doncic to paved the way on the offensive finish.
That’s notably true as Dallas prepares for a attainable postseason run in a stacked Western Convention that’s headlined by deep Denver, Minnesota, Oklahoma Metropolis and Clippers rosters.
“Exum has missed a while this 12 months… however he’s not afraid of taking large photographs,” former NBA level guard Derek Harper mentioned in commentary for Bally Sports activities Southwest.
“Lots of people make a giant deal out of beginning. He doesn’t begin anymore however who finishes the sport? The workers clearly has quite a lot of confidence in Exum. He’s a particular, particular participant.
“The coaches definitely belief the man that may make performs however extra importantly make photographs. That’s what he’s carried out right here within the fourth quarter.
“He’s a quiet kind of a character however when he’s on the ground he’s simply snug and I believe he provides his coach a way of consolation when he’s on the market. He’s type of like a coach out on the ground.”
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“Tremendous excessive IQ participant, unquestionably,” added fellow commentator Mark Followill.
Exum’s 16 factors on Wednesday marked his highest effort off the bench in accordance with Mavericks PR, whereas Dallas improved to 7-1 this season when he has scored over 15 factors.
The Australian has additionally now shot 50 per cent from deep this season, simply a career-high mark given Exum’s earlier prime mark stood at 35.1 per cent in his 2019-20 marketing campaign at Cleveland.
He was averaging 1.5 makes an attempt per recreation then in comparison with 1.9 this season too, which makes the transformation of Exum’s outdoors capturing much more unbelievable.
“It’s powerful taking part in on the highway however we stick collectively as a group and a unit and that’s what we’re going to wish going ahead, so I’m happy with everybody tonight,” Exum instructed Bally Sports activities Southwest post-game.
“… It’s simply basketball. I’m only a competitor and wish to win. So no, not nervous in any respect [down the stretch].
“It’s a group recreation. Luka goes to do what he does. When he will get doubled he’s going to move it and facilitate and that’s what he did.”