Just four days after their most recent closing time struggles, the Mavericks got another chance to exercise their demons in the Alamo City on Wednesday night. Whether it was just for one night or the start of a new trend, Dallas was finally able to make the plays it needed to pull out a game up for grabs in the final minutes as they beat the Spurs 109-103.

Kristaps Porzingis scored a game high 28 points, along with 12 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Luka Doncic notched his 13th triple-double of the season with 26 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 27 points.

The win for Dallas was a great start to a four-game road trip at an important stretch of the season where every single game has an impact on their spot in the Western Conference playoff standings. As of 10 PM on Wednesday night, the win pushed the Mavs into just 1/2 a game back of the Thunder for the sixth seed and could also just be half a game back of the fifth seed depending on the results of the Jazz/Celtics game going on in Salt Lake City tonight.

No lead is safe
While most Mavs fans probably feel like only their team regularly blows large leads, it should be obvious that really no lead is safe in the modern NBA. With three point shots going up more often than ever, double-digit leads are being built and torn down faster than you can even think during the average NBA game. This was again the case for the Mavericks on Wednesday night as a one-time 19 point lead turned into a small deficit at one point in the fourth quarter.  Luckily, Dallas was able to close the game on a 20-13 run to put away the pesky Spurs who are semi-hanging around the periphery of the West playoff standings.

Mavs fans were understandably happy to see things go the right way for their team in the fourth quarter.

Mavs go on a 12-0 run to beat the spurs in the clutch😤😤#MFFL pic.twitter.com/hUkmr53F6t

— x – MFFL (51-30) (@Mavs_FFL) February 27, 2020

No play is safe for Luka?  
The injury bug tried to rear its ugly head again for Luka Doncic on Wednesday night. He briefly left the game in the first quarter after being awkwardly swiped on his left thumb. He returned with some support wrapped around his hand, but he favored it again later in the game when it was hit again.  Hopefully it isn’t something that lingers on like his ankle injury.

Despite the injury, Doncic was able to be as productive as ever with his 13th triple-double of the season.  He now has 21 for his career and that ties him with Hall of Famer Jason Kidd for most in Mavericks franchise history.

After another triple-double by Doncic, Luka has already tied Jason Kidd at the top of the Mavs triple-double list.

Games played as a Mavs player:
119 — Luka Doncic
500 — Jason Kidd pic.twitter.com/W5eExebEct

— Edson (@EdsonCGuido) February 27, 2020

As noted in the tweet above, this was just Doncic’s 119th game. It was also his last before turning 21-years-old on Friday when the Mavs visit Miami. Have some fun, young fella. You’ve earned it.

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Dallas’ current road trip will take them next to Miami to take on a struggling Heat team (36-22) that has lost 7 of its last 9. Their last three losses have come against the Hawks, Cavaliers and Timberwolves. Perhaps the Mavs are catching them at the right time.

Tip-off from American Airlines Arena on Friday night is set for 7 PM.