The Dallas Mavericks kept their sixth game winning streak alive with a 111-103 overtime win in Atlanta Friday night. It was a battle of southwest versus southeast down at Philips Arena. Dirk Nowitzki had 37 points and hit a free throw on a technical foul to draw the Mavericks within one point before the end of regulation. Hawks’ coach, Mike Woodson, was called for the technical with just over one minute remaining. The refs called Woodson on the foul for being on the floor during play. Jason Kidd bumped the opposing coach. Without the foul, the Mavs may not have forced the overtime. Dallas needed to overcome a 14 point deficit in the fourth quarter. The technical assistance was facilitated their comeback charge. Kidd, the 36 year old Maverick guard, rolled up his 104th triple-double in the victory to help Dallas to their longest winning streak in two years. Kidd sits behind Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson at third most in NBA history in triple-doubles.
Atlanta controlled the game until the final seven minutes. Woodson’s team simply came apart and fell flat. The Mavs dusted off their rust and started playing smart ball down the stretch. Kidd keyed Dallas with 19 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds. He knocked down 9 shots, collected 4 rebounds, 3 assists and one steal in the game’s final five minutes. Kidd deposited three fourth quarter treys to fuel the Mavericks. Dallas trailed 86-71 going into the final quarter. Jamal Crawford, Atlanta’s sixth man, secured a pair of free throws with less than nine minutes left. Crawford and Josh Smith had 18 points each for the losing team. Smith had a career high seven steals. Kidd’s 11 points helped stage an improbable Dallas comeback and send the game into an extra session. Atlanta’s Mike Bibby asserted himself by stamping out a trey before the Hawks were charged with the infamous technical. Kidd notched a 3-pointer to put the Mavs on top 99-97 in the waning minute of the fourth quarter. Smith’s put-back tied the game at 99 to force overtime.
Dallas collected the first seven points of the overtime. The Hawks didn’t score until the final minute of the extra quarter, by which time Dallas all but won the contest. Joe Johnson netted 27 points and added 10 assists to lead the Hawks. Crawford, Bibby, Al Horford and Marvin Williams combined to finish 17-of-54 from the field. Nowitzki stockpiled 15-of-26 shots. Dirk’s Dallas teammates, Jason Terry chipped in 16 and Shawn Marrion amassed 14. Dallas won their Western conference best 19th road game, while the hometown hosts dropped their seventh in Atlanta.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “Fight For Your Right (To Party)- Beastie Boys
Have you ever sung a song so many times in your head and never known the title or artist? I finally discovered the owner of one of those for me: “Kings and Queens” by 30 seconds to Mars
In other Texas hoops- The Rockets pulled out a 109-140 victory over San Antonio.
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