Blackjack
01-09-2010, 03:13 AM
Dallas Mavericks’ 42-point fourth quarter overhauls Spurs (http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/1880525.html)
By EDDIE SEFKO
Special to the Star-Telegram
SAN ANTONIO — In the NBA, every win is big. But the Dallas Mavericks couldn’t underplay this one.
A massive fourth quarter that produced 42 points, a terrific shooting spree by Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry and Erick Dampier’s first 3-pointer in 14 years led them to a 112-103 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center.
"We’ve got a bunch of guys with one goal, and that’s to win a championship," Terry said. "You can only do that if you can win games like this. These prepare you for it."
Terry and Nowitzki combined for 27 points in the fourth quarter, when the Mavericks erased a 10-point deficit and won going away.
The win pushed the Mavericks’ Southwest Division lead to three games, although it’s way too early to be scoreboard or standings watching.
Their fourth quarter was a thing of beauty. They hit 16 of 22 shots (73 percent) and held the Spurs to 35 percent.
"The amount of points we scored in the fourth, you don’t do that every day against anybody, especially these guys," coach Rick Carlisle said.
The Mavericks were down 80-70 going into the final quarter, but worked feverishly — and started making a ton of shots — to go on a 30-12 binge and take a 100-92 lead with under four minutes to play.
Nowitzki was 3-of-16 from the field through three quarters, but caught fire in the fourth, as did Terry. The Spurs made one last run at the Mavericks, with Tony Parker’s free throws making it 104-100 with 1:13 to go.
Nowitzki’s "determination is something everybody was feeding off of all game," Carlisle said. "Down the stretch, the ball’s going to go through him. It’s uncanny the way he’s able to come through."
After a timeout, the Mavericks moved the ball to Nowitzki, who hit a 3-pointer with 51 seconds left. For good measure, he blocked Parker’s shot on the Spurs’ next possession to put a cap on a wild fourth quarter.
Actually, the final dagger came moments later when Dampier made a 3-pointer from the corner, the first he’s made since his rookie season. He’s 2-for-14 in his career.
"I was overdue," the 6-foot-11 Dampier quipped. "I knew it was in when I shot it. The great shooters know."
Fiery first half
An entertaining first half was both eventful with coach Gregg Popovich’s ejection and painful with two injuries to Drew Gooden.
Popovich wanted a foul when Shawn Marion was closely guarding Manu Ginobili, but when none was called, he railed at referee Zach Zarba, who had heard enough and tossed Popovich.
Gooden had his right ring finger knocked out of joint while trying to strip the ball on defense. Trainer Casey Smith worked for several minutes to get the finger back in position, then taped it to keep it there.
Moments later, Gooden took a knock to the chin that opened up a gash. He needed four stitches and did not return until after halftime.
Method to madness
It was no accident that Roddy Beaubois and Tim Thomas played meaningful roles against the Spurs.
Rick Carlisle said that, when he tweaks the rotation, he does so with an eye toward players who have earned the right, not just using a whim on what he thinks might work in a specific situation.
"I take note of how guys are playing in practices and those things are really more in the forefront of your mind," Carlisle said. "If there’s a player who’s doing some exceptionally good things, you’re certainly more apt to look for opportunities to put him out there.”
Hence the chance for Beaubois and Thomas against the Spurs.
By EDDIE SEFKO
Special to the Star-Telegram
SAN ANTONIO — In the NBA, every win is big. But the Dallas Mavericks couldn’t underplay this one.
A massive fourth quarter that produced 42 points, a terrific shooting spree by Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry and Erick Dampier’s first 3-pointer in 14 years led them to a 112-103 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center.
"We’ve got a bunch of guys with one goal, and that’s to win a championship," Terry said. "You can only do that if you can win games like this. These prepare you for it."
Terry and Nowitzki combined for 27 points in the fourth quarter, when the Mavericks erased a 10-point deficit and won going away.
The win pushed the Mavericks’ Southwest Division lead to three games, although it’s way too early to be scoreboard or standings watching.
Their fourth quarter was a thing of beauty. They hit 16 of 22 shots (73 percent) and held the Spurs to 35 percent.
"The amount of points we scored in the fourth, you don’t do that every day against anybody, especially these guys," coach Rick Carlisle said.
The Mavericks were down 80-70 going into the final quarter, but worked feverishly — and started making a ton of shots — to go on a 30-12 binge and take a 100-92 lead with under four minutes to play.
Nowitzki was 3-of-16 from the field through three quarters, but caught fire in the fourth, as did Terry. The Spurs made one last run at the Mavericks, with Tony Parker’s free throws making it 104-100 with 1:13 to go.
Nowitzki’s "determination is something everybody was feeding off of all game," Carlisle said. "Down the stretch, the ball’s going to go through him. It’s uncanny the way he’s able to come through."
After a timeout, the Mavericks moved the ball to Nowitzki, who hit a 3-pointer with 51 seconds left. For good measure, he blocked Parker’s shot on the Spurs’ next possession to put a cap on a wild fourth quarter.
Actually, the final dagger came moments later when Dampier made a 3-pointer from the corner, the first he’s made since his rookie season. He’s 2-for-14 in his career.
"I was overdue," the 6-foot-11 Dampier quipped. "I knew it was in when I shot it. The great shooters know."
Fiery first half
An entertaining first half was both eventful with coach Gregg Popovich’s ejection and painful with two injuries to Drew Gooden.
Popovich wanted a foul when Shawn Marion was closely guarding Manu Ginobili, but when none was called, he railed at referee Zach Zarba, who had heard enough and tossed Popovich.
Gooden had his right ring finger knocked out of joint while trying to strip the ball on defense. Trainer Casey Smith worked for several minutes to get the finger back in position, then taped it to keep it there.
Moments later, Gooden took a knock to the chin that opened up a gash. He needed four stitches and did not return until after halftime.
Method to madness
It was no accident that Roddy Beaubois and Tim Thomas played meaningful roles against the Spurs.
Rick Carlisle said that, when he tweaks the rotation, he does so with an eye toward players who have earned the right, not just using a whim on what he thinks might work in a specific situation.
"I take note of how guys are playing in practices and those things are really more in the forefront of your mind," Carlisle said. "If there’s a player who’s doing some exceptionally good things, you’re certainly more apt to look for opportunities to put him out there.”
Hence the chance for Beaubois and Thomas against the Spurs.