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In Sacramento, the Mavericks’ incredible third quarter represented the best of both worlds.

Throughout most of the 2023-24 season, hitting at least 15 three-pointers was a key indicator of the Dallas Mavericks’ success in winning games. They often outshot their opponents, which was crucial for securing victories, sometimes being the determining factor. However, this strategy seemed to limit their playoff potential to just one round.

In their recent ten games, the team’s focus shifted towards a strong defensive performance, a shift that had been noticed by fans following the additions of Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington at the trade deadline and post-All-Star Break. During this period, three-point shooting took a back seat, despite the team’s impressive record of nine wins in the last ten games and 16 wins out of their last 22 games.

The Mavericks needed to merge their defensive strength with their earlier sharpshooting prowess to excel in crucial games, especially against the Sacramento Kings in the race for the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Given the Kings’ offensive prowess, it was evident that relying solely on defensive performance or three-point shooting wouldn’t be sufficient to secure a win at the Golden 1 Center.

In a significant turn of events, the Mavericks showcased a remarkable performance in the third quarter of their 132-96 victory on Tuesday. They combined solid defense with their trademark lethal shooting, particularly evident in the third quarter where they outscored the Kings 38-23.

The Kings struggled in transition throughout the game, only scoring their first transition points late in the third quarter, by which time the Mavericks had already built a substantial lead of 89-65 after a 22-4 run.

The Mavericks’ success was attributed to their cohesive defensive efforts and accurate shooting, especially from beyond the arc in the third quarter, where they made 6 out of 9 three-point attempts compared to Sacramento’s 1 out of 6.

Luka Dončić, in a postgame interview, acknowledged the team’s defensive improvements, emphasizing communication and teamwork on defense as crucial factors in their recent success. Dončić himself contributed significantly with steals, points, rebounds, and assists, highlighting the team’s overall performance.

The victory against the Kings was a testament to the Mavericks’ balanced approach, combining defensive prowess with efficient shooting, particularly from three-point range. This win rejuvenated players like Washington and Tim Hardaway Jr., who had been struggling offensively, contributing to the team’s exceptional shooting performance, which was the best display of three-point shooting for the Mavericks in the entire season.