There have been three significant upsets in the National Basketball Association over the last week. Let’s take a look at the three teams that were 10+ point underdogs that came through with the unexpected victory.
Dallas Mavericks
On February 6, the Dallas Mavericks beat the Boston Celtics 127-120 at Toronto Dominion Garden in Boston, Massachusetts as a 12.5 point underdog. The Mavericks were not expected to win with Anthony Davis not in the lineup yet after Dallas’s blockbuster trade with Los Angeles. Dallas came through with a seven point win. It was an excellent first 36 minutes for Dallas, as they outscored Boston 104-83. Three Mavericks players reached the 20 point plateau. Small forward Klay Thompson of Los Angeles, California had 25 points, guard Spencer Dinwiddie of Los Angeles had 22 points and small forward Naji Marshall of Atlantic City, New Jersey had 20 points.
Charlotte Hornets
On February 7, the Charlotte Hornets beat the San Antonio Spurs 117-116 for their 13th win of the year. Charlotte was the 10 point underdog with the newly acquired De’Aaron Fox in San Antonio’s lineup. The Hornets won on a Miles Bridges three point jump shot from 23 feet with a second left. Charlotte was led by Bridges, who had 25 points, and point guard LaMelo Ball of Anaheim, California, who had the double-double (24 points and 10 assists).
Toronto Raptors
On February 11, the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers in the City of Brotherly Love 106-103. The Raptors dominated the last 101 seconds as they received a field goal from shooting guard Ochai Agbaji of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and a free throw from shooting guard Gradey Dick of Wichita, Kansas. Philadelphia meanwhile missed all four of their shots down the stretch, continue to underperform (13 games below .500), and lost as an 11 point favourite.
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