-------DALLAS PUNCH INDIANA------
(fourth-quarter sim)
Using another first-quarter run, the Dallas Mavericks continued to fly on with a 98-72 victory over Indiana.
The lead was up to 17 by the first break, and from then on, it was smooth sailing for Dallas, who rode on a better shooting performance of 26 points by Ben Gordon, who was unlucky not to go to the line several times in the fourth.
"Yeah, I played a lot better today, I got my shot out early and hit a few, so that's a start." Gordon said.
Josh Howard continued his consistent scoring streak with 23 while Dirk Nowitzki cleaned out the boards with 16 rebounds. Jermaine O'Neal scored 15 and Jamaal Tinsley scored 14 for the rather offense-starved Pacers.
Dallas boxscore
Indiana boxscore
Ben Gordon comes up with an amazing put-back basket after a mid-air collision
Howard comes from behind the backboard to dunk back his own shot
------DALLAS BEAT SEATTLE IN OVERTIME THRILLER------
(fourth-quarter sim)
The Dallas Mavericks were eight points down early in the fourth with Rashard Lewis hitting everything.
Enter Dirk Nowitzki.
The German big man, ridiculed for his lack of clutch ability, stepped up to score 19 points in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime, but he nearly ruined it all when he missed a game-winning three with two seconds left.
It was no problems in the end though, as thanks to a sizeable contribution of 38 points by Ben Gordon, Dallas pushed past the Seattle Supersonics 130-126.
After watching their five-point halftime lead disappear, the Mavs started the fourth shooting badly, and Rashard Lewis took advantage with two threes and a massive fadeaway jumper, all on Josh Howard.
However, Dallas manage to steady, and Avery Johnson brought on Luol Deng, and put Nowitzki on Lewis simply to combat his height, praying that Lewis wouldn't beat his superstar with his speed and handles.
It worked well, and Deng managed to drill an open three as Dallas pushed back hard, led by Nowitzki who was making a series of mid-range jumpers. But suddenly, Luke Ridnour started to get past Devin Harris, as did Ray Allen, who started making shots over Ben Gordon. However, Deng grabbed a vital offensive rebound to reduce the gap to 1, then Harris found Nowitzki open on the fast-break, and Nowitzki finished.
But then, an piece of misfortune almost condemned Dallas. After DeSagana Diop had blocked Chris Wilcox's shot and sent it out-of bounds, Danny Fortson's inbound pass deflected off Diop's fingers as he went for the steal, and straight into Wilcox's hands, who slammed it in. Dallas went back down the court, and Deng was fouled, and he made a free throw to tie it up.
Dallas picked up a stop, and Nowitzki was fed to ball for the go-ahead basket, but Ridnour continued to penetrate and feed the ball to open players, while at the other end, the Mavs missed crucial shots. Nowitzki had what seemed like the game-winner with twenty seconds left, but after a time-out, the Sonics forced two offensive rebounds, and the second resulted in a tip-in by Fortson. Nowitzki had time to shoot for the win, but his short clanged off the front, and Diop couldn't get the put-back in time.
In overtime, Dallas jumped out early with a few baskets and a three to Ben Gordon. They held onto this lead despite several Seattle pushes, and were able to make free throws-going 8-8 from the line in overtime, as they raced away to another win.
"We were pretty relieved afterwards, it would have been tough to let that game go." Johnson said in the press conference afterwards.
"We're pretty disappointed. We had a good chance of winning the game, our defence early in overtime probably cost us too much." Lewis said.
Along with Gordon's 38 and Dirk's 36, DeSagana Diop continues to put up solid figures of 8 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks. Luol Deng made all his shots for 20 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, and Devin Harris was calm at the line, and ended with 5 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Josh Howard also stuffed the stat sheet, posting 17 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists.
For Seattle, Lewis had a brilliant line of 37 points and 10 rebounds, the sharpshooting Ray Allen had 32 and Ridnour impressed with 22 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds, just off a triple-double. Both Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison played double-double games, and Seattle will hope their starters can continue to produce such form.
"If we can get a similar contribution from everyone like tonight, we should be in good shape." Ray Allen said.
Dallas boxscore
Seattle boxscore
Deng with a vital put-back
Harris to Dirk for the jam
. I might be getting a friend's during the weekend to install SUM 07, but NBA Live 2005 has converted rosters, good graphics and with Seushiro's MM07 aiact, the gameplay is still very good. Perhaps more balanced than 07's.
