Mavericks Survive, 104-102

Thanks to Jason Terry, the Dallas Mavericks Were Able to Stand Tall at the End of Regulation. (AP Photo/Mike Stone)

It shouldn't have even been this close. I bet that and much more was going through the Mavericks' collective heads as they found themselves tied 102-102 with less than 6 seconds left in regulation.

Dallas (13-5) had led by as many as 17 in the second half, but it all came crashing down as Philadelphia (5-13) used a 21-10 run (from 6:24 in the fourth) to force the Mavericks to make the game winner. Jason Terry obliged with his 6th and 7th points of the contest on a toughly contested fade-away from the base-line (about 17 feet out), leaving less than 2 seconds on the clock. For Terry, his lowest scoring game of the season, but his most important basket through these first 18 games.

"That's one of the areas that I like to get to," Terry said. "I pump faked and he didn't go for it. I went up, it was clear, and the rest was history."

While Terry hit the most important shot, it would be hard to argue that Jason Kidd wasn't the most important player on the floor against the 76ers. Kidd started off strong as he had 13 points (a season high for a quarter) and four assists in the first quarter. I counted three alley-oops thrown by Kidd on the night and his quick hands created turnovers all game long. Kidd completely destroyed the stats sheet, finishing with a season high for points with 22, along with 11 assists, six rebounds, four steals, and three blocks. He also shot 50 percent from the field and 5 of 8 from distance, easily his best game of the season.

For the 76ers this is their 7th straight loss, but yet another game they kept close until the end. Philadelphia's average margin of defeat for these games is only 5.7 points. Willie Green led the 76ers in scoring with 23 points and also chipped in 8 boards.

"We just fought all game long," Green said. "We didn't hang our heads and I think those are some positives we can build on."

Dampier Back After Absence, Has Rough Start

Erick Dampier returned to action after nine-games missed due to that mysterious illness and started, but only played 16 minutes. Damp scored three points and had a rebound, but what a complete non-factor on both sides of the ball. He was unable to control the paint or the boards during his time on the floor.

Drew Gooden played 31 minutes off the bench and recorded his 5th double-double of the season with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocked shots. Dallas had trouble on the glass as a whole, though, as Philly out-rebounded the Mavs 60-37; the most lopsided discrepancy for Dallas this season.

Nowitzki Money Again

Dirk Nowitzki has only scored under 20 points in a game once this season. Nowitzki scored 20 by the end of the third quarter and ended the night with 28 points, six rebounds, and four assists. This was the 13th straight came Dirk scored 20+. Just another night at the office for Nowitzki, who is playing some of the best basketball of his career.

News and Notes:

• Shawn Marion hobbled to the locker room after the game, yelling an expletive (F***!) that was clearly heard over the air-waves as he vented his frustration as he continues to deal with that injured left ankle.
• JJ Barea scored eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter. I still don't like the 3-PG attack.
• Dallas, at 13-5, is off to the second best start since 2006-2007, the year they won 67 games and were quickly (and mighty embarrassingly) ousted in the first round by the Golden State Warriors. (Good Omen, Bad Omen?)

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)