Dirk Nowitzki Leads the Way Again in Battle of Injury Plagued Teams. Nowitzki scored 11 of Dallas' 15 points in overtime.With three of their five starters out, the Dallas Mavericks (9-3) needed their MVP to step up during crunch time in a crucial early season battle between Western Conference powers. That he did, as Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 of his game high 41 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, leading the Mavericks to their fourth straight victory and sixth win in their last seven games.
"With Josh out and Marion out, I've just got to keep going offensively and make things happen," Nowitzki said after his 14th career game of 40 or more points.
Nowitzki also chipped in 12 rebounds on the night, including the crucial tip-in with 14 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter that put Dallas up 84-82. Tim Duncan responded at the other end with a nifty post move and finish to tie the game 84-84 with 2.2 seconds left on the clock. Jason Terry had a chance to win it in regulation but was rejected by Duncan to send it into Overtime. JET was only 4-19 from the field, as he is still struggling to find his shot against the Spurs ever since last year's playoffs.
Nowitzki controlled the overtime period, going 3 for 4 from the field and making all 4 of his free throws. For the game, Nowitzki was 15-29 from the field.
The Spurs (4-5) were also missed a few of their starters. Tony Parker was scratched from the lineup before the game and Manu Ginobili injured his groin in the first half and didn't return. Tim Duncan led San Antonio with 22 points and 14 rebounds, but choked in overtime as he went scoreless from the field (0-3).
"I know I played badly in the overtime," Duncan said. "The OT wasn't good for us and Dirk really took over and won it for his team."
Drew Gooden, who started in place of Dampier, was second on the team in scoring with 17 points and had his third consecutive double in three straight starts with 11 rebounds. Gooden also contributed on the defensive end with 3 blocks and a steal before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.
The Dallas defense was on top of their game again, holding San Antonio to their lowest output of any half this season with 35 points in the first half. San Antonio shot 44 percent for the game. The Mavericks' showed hustle and grit all evening as it appeared in the fourth quarter and overtime that Dallas simply outworked the Spurs.
Dallas plays their next game is at 7:30 p.m. in Dallas against the Sacremento Kings.
(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)
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