Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson Applauded by Fans as Mavs Beat Kings in NBA Play-in Game

The Dallas Mavericks aren't winning press conferences these days, but they are keeping themselves alive in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

The Mavs defeated the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, 120-106, buoyed by a 44-point second quarter.

Anthony Davis led the way, putting up 27 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, while Klay Thompson added 23 points on 5-of-7 shooting from three. DeMar DeRozan paced the Kings with 33 points.

Up next for the Mavs is a matchup on Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, with the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs hanging in the balance.

And for at least one day, Mavs' fans and pundits alike were happy with the team:

The Mavericks are inevitably going to be compared to the Los Angeles Lakers for the foreseeable future after the inconceivable Luka Dončić trade, and the Lakers are already locked into a playoff berth. If the Mavericks fail to win on Friday, it will only further fuel the Nico Harrison and Patrick Dumont detractors.

Granted, these Mavericks aren't at full strength, giving Kyrie Irving's torn ACL. For scorned Dallas fans, however, that won't be much consolation if the Lakers go on a deep run and the Mavs don't even reach the postseason.

The first step in avoiding that possibility was handled on Wednesday. Bring on the Grizzlies.