The Mavericks tied an NBA record with 10 straight one-point wins. Dirk Nowitzki (41) and Erick Dampier (25) helped to seal the game late in the fourth quarter with the double-block on Luc Mbah a Moute (12).(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)The Milwaukee Bucks (18-25) seem to play their best game against the Dallas Mavericks (30-15).
Earlier in the season, the Bucks took the Mavericks to overtime and it took a last second game-winning shot from Dirk Nowitzki for Dallas to pull out the victory.
This time it wasn't that close, but Dallas did struggle at the end - allowing the Bucks to make it a close game. The Mavericks led 108-101 with 2:06 left in regulation before two Carlos Delfino threes - one from closer to half-court than the three-point line - made it a one-point game with 27 seconds left. Luc Mbah a Moute then stole the ball from Nowitzki and the Bucks immediately called timeout with three seconds left. Then a solid defensive play by Erick Dampier on Delfino's off-balanced runner gave the Mavericks the win.
"We do what we have to do to buckle down at the end and win," said Shawn Marion, who scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half. "You can't win every game by a blowout. But it doesn't matter. A win is a win."
Milwaukee didn't have a lead after the first quarter but did tie the game at three different points in the fourth quarter. Andrew Bogut was unstoppable inside as he scored a career-high 32 points and made almost every one of his shots (13-14) from the field.
"I tried to use my speed against Dampier," said Bogut, who is 18-20 in his last two games. "Most of the night it was working."
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks in scoring (what's new) with 28 points, although it took him 25 shots to get there (11-25). He also added eight rebounds and five assists for the game. Jason Terry also added 21 as five Mavericks' scored in double-figures.
Two Starters Return
Erick Dampier (inflammation in left knee) and Jason Kidd (personal reasons) both returned to the starting lineup after missing Sunday's game against the New York Knicks.
Kidd had 11 points and 12 assists for his 13th double-double (10th point/assist). Bucks' rookie Brandon Jennings was held in check, going only 5-16 from the field for 12 points, by Kidd and the numerous other Mavericks that were thrown at him.
Dampier recorded 11 rebounds and two assists in his return in 35 minutes. It was only the second game this month that Damp has had double-digit rebounds in a game.
Rookie Gets The Best Of The Veteran
With Kidd running the ball up the court, trying to get the last shot with 10 seconds left before halftime, Jennings was determined for his team to get the last shot.
The rookie stole the ball from Kidd, almost turning it over out of bounds, then raced up the court and used a move so good he knocked the 15-year veteran to the ground without touching him. Jennings then used the space created by breaking Kidd's ankles to find Luke Ridnour on the wing for a two-pointer that was good with four seconds left.
Kidd seemed to have a little more of a bounce to his step in the second-half, and Dallas did win the game, but on this series Jennings showed why he might be the Rookie of the Year in the NBA.
Whats Next
Dallas travels to Phoenix Thursday, for the first time this season, to take on the Suns. The Mavericks won earlier this year, 102-101 (another one-pointer!). Dirk Nowitzki led all scorers with 33 and Josh Howard scored 20 off the bench in his return from injury.
The Suns lead the NBA in points scored per-game (109.9) but are also second-to-last in points allowed (107.9). Steve Nash is second in the NBA is assists per game (11), while scoring 18.5 points per on 52 percent shooting.
After starting out the season 14-3 and first the Western Conference, Phoenix is in a tailspin, having lost eight of their last 11 games overall their record is at 26-21 - good for eighth in the conference. However, the Suns are 17-6 at home and have won four of their past six home games.
Tip-Off is at 9:30 p.m. and can be seen by anyone on TNT (vomit).
News and Notes:
- Dallas is now 7-1 in games decided by three points or less this season. In contrast, Milwauke is now 3-10 in such games.
- With 28 points, Dirk Nowitzki has scored 25 or more points 28 times this season. The Mavs are 20-8 in those contests.
(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)
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