Dallas, Texas – Klay Thompson delivered a redemption performance for the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, scoring 23 points to help his team secure a 120-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament. Thompson’s 16 points in the second quarter propelled the Mavericks to a decisive win, erasing memories of his previous struggles in a similar scenario a year ago. Dallas now looks ahead to a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, with the chance to secure the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
The Mavericks’ season has been filled with turmoil, marked by the trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers and the loss of star point guard Kyrie Irving to a season-ending knee injury. Despite the challenges, Thompson’s sharpshooting and the team’s solid defense have kept their playoff hopes alive. Davis led the way for Dallas with 27 points, while DeMar DeRozan put up 33 points for the Kings.
In another play-in tournament matchup, the Miami Heat cruised to a 109-90 victory over the Chicago Bulls behind a 38-point performance from Tyler Herro. The win sets up a showdown with the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, with the opportunity to face top-seeded Cleveland in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Herro’s impressive shooting display, coupled with strong contributions from his teammates, allowed the Heat to dominate the Bulls throughout the game.
Miami’s journey to this point has been fraught with challenges, including a trade involving Jimmy Butler and a losing streak in March. However, a late-season surge propelled them to the playoffs, with Herro leading the charge against Chicago. Andrew Wiggins and Bam Adebayo also made significant contributions to the Heat’s victory, as they avenged a regular-season sweep by the Bulls.
Despite a late push from Chicago in the fourth quarter, Miami’s tenacious defense and efficient offense proved too much for the Bulls to overcome. With the win, the Heat advanced while the Bulls missed out on the playoffs for the third consecutive year. Adebayo highlighted the team’s clutch performances down the stretch, emphasizing the collective effort that guided Miami to victory.
Overall, the play-in tournament matchups showcased the resilience and determination of both the Mavericks and the Heat as they overcame adversity to secure crucial wins. With their sights set on playoff appearances, both teams will look to build on their recent success and continue their pursuit of an NBA championship.