Doncic sits against last-place Rockets after 40-minute night

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic is out for rest against Houston a night after the Dallas superstar played 40 minutes to help prevent the Mavericks from blowing a 25-point lead in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Doncic hinted he might not play Wednesday night after scoring 35 points with a crucial 3-pointer in the final 30 seconds while playing 22 minutes in the second half of a 103-101 victory over LA.

The Rockets enter the game with a three-game losing streak and the NBA's worst record at 2-12.

It will be the first game missed this season for the NBA's scoring leader.

Doncic is averaging 34.4 points per game, scoring at least 30 in all but two of Dallas' 13 games. The three-time All-Star is seventh in assists at 7.8 per game.

Dallas also will be without forward/center Maxi Kleber, who was upended onto his back in the first half against the Clippers. Center JaVale McGee will miss a second straight game with a neck strain.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports