“Royce O’Neale gamewinner? This sport is in the gutter”: NBA Twitter lauds Donovan Mitchell alongside the Utah Jazz swingman for sensational 2nd half efforts in their Game 1 win vs Doncic-less Dallas Mavericks

Royce O’Neale made his mark on what turned out to be an excellent tone-setter of a first-round Game 1 matchup between the Jazz and the Mavericks.

The absence of Luka Doncic from the Dallas starting lineup was definitely a big factor in Game 1. The Dallas Mavericks built up a lead early on in the first half of the game, buoyed by their vibrant American Airlines Arena crowd.

However, it seemed that Donovan Mitchell took his dud of a first-half performance personally. Spida caught fire early in the second half, raising the bar from a paltry 2-point first half.

His enterprise swung the momentum decisively in Utah’s favor right off the bat in the 3rd quarter. Mitchell piled up a whole bunch of points as the Jazz took a 6-point lead by the halfway mark of the 3rd quarter.

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The game stayed close for the rest of the way, with both teams exchanging runs here and there. The final score of 99-93 undersells just how close the proceedings were.

Royce O’Neale grabs a neat dagger after a smart assist by Donovan Mitchell

The Dallas Mavericks cut the Jazz lead to just 1 point after a 3-pointer from rather deep range by Reggie Bullock. It fell to Donovan Mitchell to save Utah the blushes, which he did with some two-way play.

Spida initiated a steal, which started a sequence with a couple of Jazz attempts. The decisive one of those fell to Royce O’Neale, who grabbed onto an offensive rebound and repositioned to sink in a 3-pointer off an assist by Mitchell.

NBA Twitter gave the Jazz swingman his props as the game clock expired.

Royce O’Neal game winner? This sport is in the gutter

— JG (@MrGiIgamesh) April 16, 2022

I’m sorry but did Royce O’Neal just shush the entire American Airlines Center

— SCOTTIE BARNES SZN (@Shado52_2020) April 16, 2022

Royce O’Neal had that crypto merchant Dinwiddie touching the floor like it was a game of Twister with the game on the line pic.twitter.com/Hu6v04Sybl

— Bobby, No Valentino (@JBeans_15) April 16, 2022

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