Mavericks beat Raptors to clinch top-6 spot, avoid play-in

Luka Doncic had his 11th triple-double of the season with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists and the Dallas Mavericks guaranteed themselves a top-six finish in the Western Conference, to avoid the NBA's play-in next week, with a 114-110 victory over Toronto on Friday night.

Kristaps Porzingis, who finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds, made a 3-pointer on the game's first shot and the Mavericks never trailed in their regular-season home finale, though the undermanned Raptors cut it close late. Toronto used only seven players, going without its top seven scorers — mostly because of injuries, but also with the season winding down and the Raptors out of contention for even a play-in spot in the East.

Toronto, which trailed by 19 points early in the second half, was within 105-102 on Malachi Flynn’s 3-pointer with three minutes left, which followed a Mavericks turnover after his layup. But Dorian Finney-Smith responded with a 3-pointer for Dallas and Doncic then drove for a one-handed slam. Doncic had earlier rebounded his own missed short jumper and followed that with a nifty layup.

Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) talks to referee Mousa Dagher (28) about a call on his attempted shot that was blocked in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors in Dallas, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

Raptors rookie Jalen Harris, a Dallas native making his second career start in as many nights, had 31 points to lead Toronto. Flynn had 26 points.

The Southwest Division-winning Mavericks (42-29) are in fifth place in the West, with a one-game lead over Portland (41-30) for the No. 5 seed with one regular-season game remaining for both teams. The Trail Blazers have the tiebreaker if they finish with the same record, since they won two of three against Dallas this season.

Teams finishing seventh through 10th in each conference are forced into play-in games next week to determine who advances. The top six teams get an extended break after a condensed regular-season schedule, though with 10 fewer games than usual, because of the pandemic.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) is fouled by Toronto Raptors forward Freddie Gillespie (55) on a three-point shot attempt in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

BAYLOR CONNECTION

Toronto rookie forward Freddie Gillespie from Baylor got his first career NBA start, and it came on a night when the Baylor coach Scott Drew and the national champion Bears were in attendance to be recognized by the Mavericks. Dallas County officials declared May the month of the Bears in the county.

TIP-INS

Toronto Raptors' Jalen Harris (2) defends as Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) works to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

Raptors: Stanley Jonson had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. ... Toronto extended a franchise record with its 37th different starting lineup this season. It was the ninth game in a row they used a different starting five.

Mavericks: It was the 36th career triple-double for Doncic, who is 11th on the NBA career list. He is still seven behind Fat Lever for the top 10, but now three ahead of Bob Cousy. ... Jalen Brunson finished with 19 points and Finney-Smith had 17. ... Dallas had lost 12 of its previous 16 games against the Raptors, including 116-93 in Tampa on Jan. 18.

UP NEXT

Toronto Raptors' Jalen Harris (2) sprints to the basket past Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Richardson (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

Raptors: Regular-season “home” finale against Indiana on Sunday in Tampa.

Mavericks: Regular-season finale at Minnesota.

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

Toronto Raptors' Freddie Gillespie (55) and Jalen Harris (2) defend as Dallas Mavericks' Kristaps Porzingis (6) works to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, May 14, 2021. Referee Curtis Blair (74) looks on at the play. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

Toronto Raptors guard Jalen Harris (2) loses control of the ball as he's fouled by Dallas Mavericks' Kristaps Porzingis (6) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

Toronto Raptors center Aron Baynes (46) dunks the ball as Dallas Mavericks' Dorian Finney-Smith (10) and Kristaps Porzingis (6) defend in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

Toronto Raptors guard Jalen Harris (2) goes up for a shot after getting though the defense of Dallas Mavericks' Kristaps Porzingis, left, Willie Cauley-Stein (33) and Dorian Finney-Smith (10) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, left, motions his hands to his head in front of referee James Capers (19) after a flagrant call was made against forward Freddie Gillespie in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)

Toronto Raptors' Aron Baynes (46), Jalen Harris (2) and Khem Birch, bottom right, defend as Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) makes a pass in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)