Drew Gooden and the Mavericks avoiding losing to the two worst teams in the Western Conference back-to-back as Dallas came back from being down double digits early in the fourth quarter. Dallas ended the game on a 19-5 run. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)Shawn Marion characterized this game as a "must win" for the Mavericks, but it didn't look good as the Mavs struggled defensively throughout the game.
Then came the fourth quarter.
The Dallas Mavericks (32-19) had allowed the Golden State Warriors (13-37) to score 98 points at the end of three quarters, 70 in the first half, and were staring at a 100-90 deficit with 11:02 left in regulation. The Mavericks defense tightened, allowing only 19 total fourth quarter points, and Dallas then went on a 37-17 run to the end of regulation.
"This was a bit of a gut-check for us, " said coach Rick Carlise, echoing the pre-game opinion of Marion. "It was a game we desperately needed and we fought hard for."
Jason Terry led all scorers with a season-high 36 points, while also contributing nine assists, six rebounds and three steals. Terry didn't settle for jump-shots as his 12-13 free throws can attest.
"The best thing you can do is put pressure on them, don't settle and just play as hard as you can," said Terry, who was also 6-9 from behind the arc. "It's my job to go out and perform at a high-level every night that I'm out there."
The Mavericks set season-highs for fast-break points (41) and free-throws made/attempted (41-46). In the fourth quarter alone, Dallas was 14-2 on the break and 16-17 from the line.
Bench Play Comes Up Big
With Dirk Nowitzki in foul trouble early and only playing 29 minutes for the game, it was up to the rest of the Mavs players to step up. Drew Gooden (24) and Josh Howard (25) set season-highs for points as the Mavericks' bench outscored the Warriors' reserves 54-14.
J-Ho and Gooden combined to go 15-26 from the field (58 percent) and 18-20 from the free-throw line as they pulverized Golden State in the paint. Gooden also brought down 10 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season.
This was a great sign for Howard, too, as he only attempted two three-pointers (making one) and was predominately around the basket all game long.
What's Next
Dallas can breathe a sigh of relief as they narrowly avoided losing two straight against teams with a combined 26-75 record on the season. It wasn't pretty, but the Mavs came through in the clutch and got the job done.
The Mavericks have a quick turnaround as they take on the Denver Nuggets, Tuesday night, in Denver. The Nuggets are 34-17 on the year, good for second in the Western Conference.
Denver scored the second-most points per game in the NBA (107.2) and average over 111 points per game at home. They also feature the third-best road record in the NBA (22-4). The Mavs beat the Nuggets 104-96, in Denver, earlier this season.
Carmelo Anthony (second in the NBA in scoring at 29.7 points per game) and Chauncey Billups, are listed as questionable for the game.
Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. and can be seen locally on KTXA 21.
News and Notes:
- Jason Kidd scored 17 points and dished out 12 assists for his 15th double-double of the season. Kidd is 5th in the NBA among point guards in double-doubles.
- The Mavericks had previously lost five of their last six in Golden State before Monday's victory.
- This was the 11th time this season that the Mavs have rallied from a double-digit deficit to win a game - tops in the NBA.
- Erick Dampier missed his 13th game of the season due to a swollen left knee. The Mavericks are 10-3 in games Dampier misses.
(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)
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