Call it what you may, Sunday afternoon the Dallas Mavericks finally got a first hand experience to the nation's latest sensation, Jeremy Lin, and the Linsanity that has ensued in New York. While for many their sole focus was on Lin, for Maverick fans they saw the reappearance of fan favorite Tyson Chandler, and an end to a six game win streak as Dallas lost to the Knicks, 104-97.
Going undrafted out of Harvard College, Jeremy Lin jump started his career playing with the Dallas organization. Back in 2010 he joined the Texas Legends (the Dallas D-League team) in the Vegas Summer League where he was paired along side Dominique Jones.
After strong performances GM Donnie Nelson immediately liked what he saw offering Lin a guaranteed one year contract, Lin though had other ideas. After bouncing around the league he signed with the Goldenstate Warriors where he was later released. He finally settled with the NY Knicks and the rest is history.
Since February 4th Jeremy Lin officially has scored the most points in the NBA this season.
Making only his eighth career start Lin coasted in the first quarter scoring 10 points and dishing out 3 assists. While the Dallas double team at times was effective, he was constantly able to find the open man, one of them being newly acquired J.R. Smith who hit his first three pointers attempted.
Late in the first quarter the Knicks went on a 17-0 run extending their lead 30-18, putting Dallas in an early hole. In the second quarter the Mavs outscored the Knicks 14-6 with the help of Dirk Nowitzki. In his past eight games Nowitzki has been averaging 24.3 points a game, without a doubt returning to his true All-Star form.
At the half the Knicks were up 48-45.
Following the break Dallas got off to a great start showing more poise on both sides of the court. With 8:51 remaining in the third quarter Nowitzki hit a huge three pointer while getting fouled, he completed the rare four point play.
For most of the quarter the Mavs played cohesive basketball extending their lead 70-58, their biggest lead of the game.
All would not go as planned though. With 12.5 seconds remaining in the third Lin got a steal and a finish dunk cutting the Dallas lead to three points. The New York Knicks ended the quarter on a 7-0 run as the fans at Madison Square Garden rose to their feet and what awaited would only bring more energy to the thousands of fans.
The start of the fourth quarter was the beginning of the Steve Novak saga. With 11:41 remaining Novak hit a three pointer to tie the game. After a bad pass from Jones casuing a Dallas turnover, Novak hit his second straight jumper putting New York up by two. He would hit three more three point baskets, his last one coming with 7:28 left in the game.
Although it seemed like the game was starting to get out of reach Dallas got back into it after a jumper by Dirk and many strong defense sequences. Nowitzki had a strong performance, he lead Dallas with 34 points and 5 rebounds.
With 3:24 remaining in regulation Jason Terry hit a huge three pointer cutting the Knicks lead 95-93. On the following play with the shot clock running out Lin responded with a trey of his own putting the Knicks back up by five points. Lin finished the game with 28 points and 14 assists.
Following a shot by Shawn Marion with 1:07 left the Mavs were down 100-97. After a scrambling defensive halt Jason Terry had a chance to tie the game with 28.5 seconds, his shot was off target.
Tyson Chandler put on the exclamation point and the dagger dunk as the Knicks and Lin won 104-97.
Game Notes:
The Mavs had a weaker bench than usual. Delonte West was out after fracturing and dislocating his finger, he is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Roddy Beaubois was out due to the death of his father, he is expected to be back after the All-Star break.
Jason Terry returned after missing the previous game due to personal reasons. He scored 13 points off the bench and added six assists and seven rebounds.
Dallas will play the Boston Celtics at home tomorrow night at 7pm.
