Blackwood's Blistering 30 Powers Mavericks Past Bears 112-107 in Thriller
Mavericks Clinch Nail-Biter on Blackwood's Scoring Barrage
By Alex Chen
MIAMI – In a contest that proved the World Pro League’s parity, the Miami Mavericks edged out the visiting Berlin Bears with a hard-fought 112-107 victory on Tuesday night. The Mavericks secured crucial home-court advantage thanks to a stellar offensive outing, particularly from Kai Blackwood, who ignited the offense in the game’s pivotal moments.
The game was a back-and-forth affair from the tip-off, with both teams trading blows. The Bears, fueled by strong rebounding from Kai Petersen (9 boards) and an all-around effort, held a slim lead for much of the first half. However, the tide began to turn in favor of Miami in the third quarter as Viktor Lindholm’s defensive intensity, including two steals, disrupted Berlin’s rhythm and sparked the Mavericks’ transition game.
Kai Blackwood was the undisputed star of the night, pouring in a game-high 30 points, including five assists, to lead the Mavericks’ charge. His offensive firepower, combined with Elara Dixon’s impressive all-around performance of 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, provided the necessary spark. For the Berlin Bears, Quentin Ford fought valiantly with 18 points and 3 blocks, while Anya Lindgren added a double-double with 14 points and 7 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Miami’s late surge.
“We knew this was going to be a tough one,” said Mavericks Head Coach Maria Rodriguez after the game. “Berlin is a strong team, and they pushed us to our limit. But our guys dug deep, and Kai Blackwood was simply sensational tonight. He carried us.”
Blackwood himself added, “It feels great to get the win. We just focused on executing our game plan down the stretch. I’m just happy I could contribute to the team’s success.”
Key Notes:
- Kai Blackwood led all scorers with 30 points.
- Berlin Bears out-rebounded Miami 51-43, including 15 offensive boards.
- Miami Mavericks shot an efficient 45.2% from three-point range.
- Elara Dixon provided a balanced offensive and defensive effort with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
- Viktor Lindholm’s defensive play was instrumental in shifting momentum, contributing 2 steals.