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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
TORONTO (AP) -- Dennis Rodman was at his mischievous best in his return to the Dallas Mavericks -- grabbing rebounds and attention.
The eccentric forward, who was suspended for a game after
sitting on the court in protest last week, had a game-high 16
rebounds and a couple of sitdowns as the Mavericks defeated the
Toronto Raptors 100-96 Sunday.
|  | | Dennis Rodman, battling for position with Vince Carter, had this line: 35 minutes, 16 rebounds, 6 fouls, 1 point, 1 turnover, 1 assist -- and 2 sitdowns.. |
"That's nothing until I get into shape," said Rodman, who
tried to slip a chasing media scrum though a backdoor. "This
38-year-old body needs a couple weeks to get into shape. I'm just
out there relaxing, trying to get myself into a groove."
Cedric Ceballos and Michael Finley each scored 23 points andErick Strickland added 18 as the Mavericks won their fourth road game in a row.
Vince Carter led Toronto with 24 points. Antonio Davis had 20
points and eight rebounds, and Tracy McGrady had 15 points off the
bench.
"(Rodman's) just another player," said Carter, who fouled out
late in the game.
Not really.
Rodman, who had only one point off a free throw, entertained the
crowd with his antics and received a huge cheer from the crowd when
he fouled out with 22 seconds left.
Three minutes into the second quarter, Rodman began his first
sitdown after not getting a call when he and McGrady made contact jumping for a rebound.
As he sat in protest, Dallas brought the ball up court, but when
Toronto quickly came back the other way Rodman got back up.
The seven-time rebounding champion continued his antics in the
third quarter. After getting his fourth foul for hitting Davis, he
briefly sat on the court again. Rodman stuck his hands in the front
of his shorts and stood there for about 20 seconds.
"It's great to get Dennis back in the lineup," Ceballos said.
"He's very talented and he put on a rebounding exhibition. He's
able to intimidate and put people in bad situations. Hopefully,
he's able to continue to do those things for us."
Dirk Nowitzki scored six points down the stretch for the
Mavericks, including two free throws that gave Dallas a 95-94 lead
with 2:04 remaining. Finley hit a 15-foot jumper a minute later,
giving Dallas a three-point cushion.
Davis missed two free throws that would have tied the score at
98 with 22 seconds to go, then Sean Rooks made one of two free
throws, giving Dallas a 99-96 lead. Finley hit one of two from the
line with 14.2 seconds to end the scoring.
"It was an unexpected win," Dallas coach Don Nelson said. "We
were very worried about this game. Both Rooks and Rodman stepped it
up defensively. The blending of our team is starting to come
together."
Dell Curry keyed a 15-0 run near the end of the first half with
a 3-pointer as the Raptors opened a 58-48 lead, but the Mavericks
chipped away at the lead in the third quarter. Ceballos gave Dallas
a 78-74 advantage entering the fourth when he converted a Rodman
pass for a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Carter tied the score 84-84 with 7:45 left when he stole the
ball and ran the floor for a monster dunk. The Raptors took the
lead 24 seconds later on Kevin Willis' layup.
Game notes
Rodman strolled out late to the court midway through the
U.S. national anthem to a mild reception. ... The Mavs, who had won
10 of the 13 games before signing Rodman, lost their first two with
Rodman in the lineup and won when he was suspended. ... Steve Nash,
who is on the Canadian Olympic team, was a late addition to the
Mavs' starting lineup. ... Both teams came out firing in the first
quarter. Toronto shot 71 percent and Dallas 60. ... Shawn Bradley
(blurred vision) was not with Dallas ... Actor Chris Rock watched
his second Raptors game of the weekend. ... Carter fouled out with
35.1 seconds left.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Dallas Clubhouse
Toronto Clubhouse
RECAPS
Dallas 100
Toronto 96
Miami 85
Charlotte 80
New Jersey 91
Minnesota 89
Portland 108
Sacramento 103
LA Lakers 87
Philadelphia 84
San Antonio 113
Houston 111
Golden State 112
Washington 103
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