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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
DALLAS – Gary Trent's basket led to some free fast food for
the fans – and to a shoving match with the opponents.
|  | | Mavs guard Howard Eisley knocks the ball away from Cleveland's Trajan Langdon. |
Michael Finley and Dirk Nowitzki scored 17 points each and
Nowitzki pulled down 15 rebounds as the Mavericks extended
Cleveland's losing streak to nine games, 102-81 Thursday night.
The game closed in controversy when players from both sides
began pushing each other following Trent's basket with 3.3 seconds
left. Cleveland's players and coaches felt the Mavericks should
have backed off in the final minute of a blowout game.
"I defend our guys," Cavaliers coach Randy Wittman said.
"They had three straight possessions to run the clock out. That's
what you do as professionals. I'm not a firm believer in rubbing it
in anyone's face and that's what they did. I don't care what they
say. We'll remember this. That will come back around."
A fast food chain gives coupons for free chalupas to Reunion
Arena fans if the Mavericks score 100 points in a victory, and
Trent's turnaround jumper put Dallas over the top.
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There's not too many legends in this locker room, but Gary Trent is now a chalupa legend. ” |
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— Steve Nash |
Cleveland's Wesley Person then knocked Trent to the floor and
the two players got into a brief shoving match. Mavericks owner
Mark Cuban, fined $395,000 by the NBA this season for his behavior,
ran onto the court, then quickly backed off when the players were
separated.
"Guys are pounding my guy's head on the floor, what am I
supposed to do?" Cuban said.
Technical fouls were handed to Person and Trent, and Person was
called for a flagrant foul. Cavaliers assistant coach Mike Woodson
also received a technical and was ejected for running on to the
floor.
"This is bigger than any chalupa," said Person. "They had a
chance to run out the clock and get off the court, but their coach
is over there calling a play with 10 seconds on the clock. That is
totally disrespectful to our team and our players."
The Mavericks were stuck for more than three minutes with 98
points as they tried to reach 100, and fans were chanting
"cha-lu-pa, cha-lu-pa" with each possession. Players and coaches
on the Dallas bench were laughing at each missed shot by the
Mavericks.
"I completely understand them (the Cavaliers) being
disappointed," Mavericks guard Steve Nash said. "We really
shouldn't be running up the score, but on the other hand, these are
our home fans and we have to repay them.
"There's not too many legends in this locker room, but Gary
Trent is now a chalupa legend."
Shawn Bradley had 13 points, Howard Eisley added 12 and Nash and
Greg Buckner had 11 points each to help the Mavericks snap a
two-game losing streak.
"This was a good win for us, the kind of win we need to start
off this homestand.," Finley said as the Mavericks opened a
stretch of five straight home games. "We played a team we
definitely can beat and it's a big win for us at this particular
time."
Andre Miller and former Maverick Jim Jackson had 14 points each
for the Cavaliers, who have lost 22 of their last 27.
Miller sprained his right ankle with 4:13 left when he stepped
on Trent's foot during a drive in the lane. Miller had to be helped
off the court and was icing the ankle in the locker room after the
game.
Cleveland got as close as 64-59 in the third quarter. But Dallas
finished the quarter with an 11-2 run over the final 3:05, capped
by Buckner's tip-in with four seconds left to take a 75-61 lead
into the final quarter.
Dallas' lead grew to as many as 27 points in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks made 13 of their first 19 shots and carried a
31-21 advantage into the second quarter. Dallas held a 52-46
halftime lead.
Game notes
Nash returned after missing four straight games with a sore
left hamstring. ... The Cavaliers activated Person from the injured
list. Person missed 26 games with a bruised right elbow since being
placed on the injured list on Dec. 23. To make room for Person, the
Cavaliers placed guard Anthony Johnson on the injured list with
left knee tendinitis. ... The Cavaliers had won eight of their
previous 11 against the Mavericks.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Cleveland Clubhouse
Dallas Clubhouse
Cuban's latest fine mess includes 2-game suspension
RECAPS
Indiana 82
Detroit 73
Miami 98
Toronto 91
Dallas 102
Cleveland 81
San Antonio 102
Washington 78
Portland 105
Sacramento 81
Boston 108
Seattle 88
Vancouver 99
Golden State 89
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Mark Cuban expects to be hearing from the commissioner's office soon.
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