The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 119-117, at American Airlines Center on Sunday night.

The Spurs (25-26) walked into the contest as underdogs with good reason, as they'd dropped 10 of their previous 12 games. However, San Antonio's first-quarter performance hinted at a competitive matchup, as they matched the Mavericks (29-23) bucket for bucket and trailed by just five points at halftime. San Antonio came out of the halftime locker room sharp, however, shaving four points from its deficit going into the fourth quarter and then starting the final period on an 11-2 run over the first 3;23 to establish an eight-point lead. The visitors wouldn't trail again, although Dallas managed knot the game at 117 with 19.8 seconds remaining before DeMar DeRozan's step back jumper with one second remaining and Luka Doncic's subsequent misfire at the buzzer ensured the victory.

DeRozan led the Spurs with 33 points, complementing them with eight assists and five rebounds. Dejounte Murray furnished 25 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Lonnie Walker poured in 13 points, while Jakob Poeltl totaled 12 points, eight boards, two assists and four blocks.

Kristaps Porzingis paced the Mavericks with 31 points, supplementing them with 15 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Doncic managed 29 points, seven assists, three rebounds and one steal. Josh Richardson compiled 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal. Jalen Brunson contributed 11 points, five assists and four rebounds.

The Spurs remain on the road and visit the Orlando Magic on Monday night, while the Mavericks remain home and host the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.