The second half of the highly compressed NBA season got off to the wrong start for the Dallas Mavericks. To the surprise of many, the team which walked away with a 93-92 win over the defending champions were none other than the New Jersey Nets.
Entering the game Dallas was preparing for a grueling skid of nine games in 12 days; without a doubt one of their most difficult schedules in recent team history. Dirk Nowitzki returned to the American Airlines Center after being the lone Dallas representative in Sunday's All-Star game in Orlando.
For most of the night the Mavs found themselves trailing the Nets. Seconds before halftime, New Jersey's Anthony Morrow hit a buzzer beating three pointer giving the Nets their biggest lead of the evening, 56-45. Nowitzki ended the half with 11 points. He finished the game with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
It was obvious that a comeback would have to take place if a victory was on the horizon for Dallas.
The beginning of the third quarter though seemed to start right where the second half ended. Brook Lopez dominated the paint scoring a season high 38 points and pulling down six rebounds. Three time All-Star and Dallas area native Deron Williams scored 12 points and dished out 12 assists for New Jersey.
After a bank shot by Brendan Haywood the Mavs tied the game with 6:54 in the third. Dallas' first lead didn't come until late in the third quarter when Jason Terry hit a three-pointer putting Dallas up 71-69 with 2:26 remaining. Unfortunately as quick as that lead came it was gone in a matter of minutes.
Entering the fourth, Rick Carlisle found his team in the back seat down 79-76. An abysmal shooting performance in the final quarter did not help the team. Haywood gave the Mavs their first field goal of the quarter with 3:25 remaining in the game. Haywood scored a season high 18 points.
Most people will say being one of the oldest teams in the NBA does not have its advantages in a short season, but a team full of veterans does prove that almost anything is possible. Jason Kidd, perhaps the most savvy point guard in the league dropped in a three pointer in midst of a 13-2 Dallas run putting the Mavs up 92-91 with 48.9 seconds left in regulation.
Following two made free throws by Lopez and a missed shot by Dallas, the Nets were back up 93-92 and in possession with 23 seconds. After an inbounds pass, Anthony Morrow lost the ball after great defensive pressure put on by Jason Terry.
However, as close as they came Dallas was unable to rally, after a pass from Nowitzki, Kidd missed the game winning jumper as time expired.
The Mavericks will not have much time to think about this loss as they will be traveling to Memphis to face off against the Grizzlies on Wednesday afternoon. That game is set to tip-off at 6:30pm.
Game Notes:
Jason Terry finished the game with 12 points and two 3-pointers made. That was good enough to pass Dale Ellis and to put him in sixth place in the NBA's All Time three point field goals made list.
Former Maverick DeShawn Stevenson received his championship ring before the game after a brief ceremony.
Lamar Odom missed the game and is expected to be out for Wednesday's game due to personal issues.
