NBA MVP Contenders Williamson and Doncic Go Head to Head in Thriller

Two of this season’s top performers went head to head for the first time as Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson faced off during an enthralling encounter between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks.

Both Doncic and Williamson are outside bets to pick up the NBA MVP award, though it does look as if Giannis Antetokounmpo will once again be triumphant, and the two both impressed as the Mavericks pulled off a thrilling overtime win, 127-123.

Doncic finished with 30 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists and Williamson managed 21 points and six rebounds, the Pelicans man being well marshaled by forward Maxi Kleber at the American Airlines Center.

The Mavericks very much needed the win as they look to keep ahead of the those below them in the race for a playoff spot, where the Pelicans sit some way below and looking likely to struggle to make it into the postseason.

Among those celebrating the Mavericks win was Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, sat in the front row, rooting for the winning side giving a hug to Doncic after the third quarter.

The Dallas Mavericks are still some way down in the NBA betting lines where they can be backed at as much as +5000 by Sportsbook.ag. 

The Pelicans are even further down, sat in 12th favorite spot, at +7500 and neither side will have to impress in the remainder of the regular season if they are to be considered realistic contenders for the NBA Championship crown,