Ingram clutch as Spurs escape Dallas with victory, 108-107.

Luka Doncic was great for Dallas tonight.

As the timeless Texan rivalry would indicate, the Spurs found themselves without the lead, with less than a minute left on the clock, on the road before a hostile Dallas crowd. Why? Prized prospect Luka Doncic had just buried a 3PT shot from his sweet spot atop the wing.

With a clutch response, Brandon Ingram fought his way to the basket and drew the whistle, burying two free throws to take back the lead. Dallas would call timeout and Doncic would find himself double-teamed by Ingram & P.J. Tucker. The Spurs defense admittedly gambled on Dorian Finney-Smith missing a would-be game-winning three in the corner, and the road team hit black and rode out in silver from Dallas.

Before Doncic's big shot from deep, Ingram had swiped the ball loose from the Slovenian dead-eye and dunked it home on the other end in a tenacious contest that bodes well for the rest of this season series. Taurean Prince had a strong first quarter, but saw his 3PT attempt get swatted out of the sky by the 7'0" Kristaps Porzingis, healthy from injury and Dwight Powell hustled his team into control over the game, forcing San Antonio to overcome a 2-4 point spread to win the game.

Ingram (31 points) also delighted in the first half, hitting the open three and swiping the ball twice for two tremendous jams on the other side of the court. Jarrett Allen looked good with 17 points & 6 rebounds (8-8), benefiting from alley oops courtesy of Dejounte Murray (10 points, 8 assists) & Jeremy Lin (7 points, 7 assists). Taurean Prince knocked in 15 points & 8 rebounds. Tucker & Avery Bradley duo'ed 14 points, with J.R. Smith notching 7 off the bench.

The Rest: 31-28, SA; 26-24, SA; 25-29 DM; 26-26 4th Quarter in this dangerously close game. The Mavs shot 57% to the Spurs' 52%, with San Antone winning the paint 60-44, only losing the ball six times (14 by Dallas). Dallas led by 9 at one point, with the Spurs leading by 7 early. Porzingis had 20 points with 4 blocks, as Powell had 18 points & 9 rebounds. Doncic finished with 17, 7 rebounds & 6 assists. Seth Curry hit a big three midway through the fourth quarter for 14 points; Justin Jackson had 11 points. New point guard Delon Wright dished 7 assists in this narrow home defeat.