|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME FLOW
DALLAS (AP) -- Dirk Nowitzki put on a good show in front of some
familiar faces.
Nowitzki scored 22 points, all in the first half, as the Dallas
Mavericks extended their winning streak over the Los Angeles
Clippers to 11 games with a 111-93 victory Sunday night.
Playing before a contingent of 30 from his German hometown of
Wurzburg, including a 20-piece band that played at
halftime plus family and friends, Nowitzki led the Mavericks to a
13-point halftime advantage at 63-50.
"It's good to get some international flavor in here," Nowitzki
said. "It's nice when the fans from Germany get to come over. It's
a lot of fun."
Nowitzki shot 9-for-11 from the field in the first half as the
Mavericks hit 26 of their first 45 field goal attempts (57.8
percent). Nowitzki set the tone early, scoring 10 points as Dallas
took a 32-23 lead after the first quarter.
Juwan Howard had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Steve Nash had
16 points and seven assists for Dallas, which won for the sixth
time in seven games and matched its total last season of 40
victories.
"It really doesn't matter when we get it, but I guess it's nice
to get it now," Nash said. "But we have more on our minds than 40
wins."
Howard continues to adapt to the Mavericks since he came over in
a trade with the Washington Wizards on Feb. 22. Howard is getting
used to Dallas' run-and-gun style, consistently filling a lane on
the fastbreak.
"That's always been a strength of mine," said Howard, who went
8-for-16 from the field. "I just try to beat my opponent up the
court. With this team, you just have to find open lanes and these
guys will get you the ball."
Michael Finley added 14 points and eight assists, and Shawn
Bradley had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Quentin Richardson scored 15 points to lead Los Angeles, which
lost all four games against Dallas this season. Corey Maggette
added 14 for the Clippers, who had won two of their previous three.
The Mavericks broke the game open with a 14-7 spurt to start the
third quarter. Howard's layup pushed Dallas' lead to 77-57 with
7:04 left in the third quarter.
Dallas went on to lead by as many as 26 points later in the
third quarter and led 92-68 going into the final quarter.
"I think this is the most difficult team to play against,"
Maggette said. "They have so many shooters on the floor and when
they drive the ball, if you try to help, you leave open a Michael
Finley or a Dirk Nowitzki, and they capitalize off of it."
Clippers coach Alvin Gentry said Bradley's defense (three
blocked shots and a season-high five steals) was a major factor.
"We have a tough time with Bradley," Gentry said. "He always
seems to play well against us."
Game notes
The Clippers were without forward Lamar Odom, serving the
second of a five-game suspension for violating the league's
anti-drug program. ... Mavericks guard Greg Buckner returned after
missing three consecutive games due to a sprained left foot. Buckner
had 10 points in 24 minutes. ... Dallas has won nine of its last 11
at home. ... The Mavericks had a season-high 32 assists.
 Send this story to a friend
|
|
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
LA Clippers Clubhouse
Dallas Clubhouse
RECAPS
New York 86
Miami 83
Philadelphia 97
Boston 91
Toronto 101
Vancouver 84
Sacramento 105
Utah 90
Detroit 95
Indiana 78
Cleveland 124
Milwaukee 110
Phoenix 94
Houston 92
Dallas 111
LA Clippers 93
Seattle 109
LA Lakers 97
|
