Luka Doncic, Mavericks beat Jazz to advance to second round

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Luka Doncic believes he can score on anyone. To advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time, he had to trust his teammates.

After previous postseasons filled with individual highlights, Doncic shared the ball and the Dallas Mavericks slipped past the Utah Jazz.

"I like sharing the ball. If they’re going to hit or blitz me, someone is going to be open," Doncic said.

Doncic and Jalen Brunson each scored 24 points and the Mavericks beat the Jazz 98-96 on Thursday night in Game 6 to wrap up the first-round series.

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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) gestures in the second half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

"It was all about trust," Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. "Luka did an incredible job knowing they were going to try and take the ball out of his hands."

After Brunson hit a 3-pointer from the corner, Mike Conley was called for traveling with five seconds remaining, and Brunson made one of two free throws with 4.3 seconds to play.

"Playing with Luka the past couple years, I should expect the ball when I’m not expecting it. The ball found me," Brunson said of his clutch 3-pointer.

The Jazz got an open look for Bojan Bogdanovic on the left wing on the final play, but he came up short and the Mavericks moved on to face top-seeded Phoenix in the second round.

"Bogey don’t miss a lot of those. My heart stopped. It felt like that shot was 15 seconds in the air," said Doncic, who had nine rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and two steals.

Spencer Dinwiddie