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Monday, Mar. 27 9:00pm ET
Mavs win in Utah for 1st time in 11 years | |||||
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 GAME FLOW
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Dallas Mavericks are beginning to look like something other than the Midwest Division's perennial doormat. Michael Finley scored 24 of his 31 points in the first half, Hubert Davis had nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and Steve Nash hit six free throws in the final 49.2 seconds as Dallas beat the Utah Jazz 113-105 Monday night. The Mavericks snapped a 12-game losing streak to Utah. They hadn't won in Salt Lake City since Feb. 9, 1989, a span of 25 games. "It was a big win, not only for the team but for the organization," Finley said. "We removed that monkey from our back. We were in a comfort zone offensively. We came as close to a perfect game as we could play." Earlier this month, Dallas beat defending NBA champion San Antonio twice. To win at the nine-year-old Delta Center, where the Mavericks were 0-20 before Monday night, was another breakthrough. "I just had a feeling we were going to win," coach Don Nelson said. "I told the staff at our coaches meeting we were going to win this game, mainly because we were so due." The loss ended Utah's four-game winning streak, a stretch where the Jazz repeatedly had seized control in the fourth quarter. This time Davis took over at the end, hitting baskets to thwart every challenge. When Utah cut it to 100-93 with 5:58 to play, Davis answered with a jumper. When the Jazz made it 102-95 with 3:01 to go, Davis hit a 3-pointer. And when Davis missed a 3-pointer with 1:35 remaining, Dirk Nowitzki went on the perimeter for his season-high 17th rebound. He also finished with 16 points and a season-high eight assists. Erick Strickland scored 15 points for Dallas, which shot 58 percent (40-of-69). Finley hit 13 of 18 shots, doing most of his damage as the Mavericks built a 55-48 halftime lead. Karl Malone had 26 points and 10 rebounds but the Jazz couldn't maintain the momentum that delivered victories in 13 of their previous 14 games. Utah was tired, and it showed. "We all think we have lots of energy, even though we don't play like it," said Jeff Hornacek, who scored 14 points. "Hopefully, this will all get behind us. We'll just put it aside and keep going." During the last three games, the Jazz have been strong finishers. They outscored the opposition 89-50 in the final period of victories over Vancouver, Seattle and Denver. So the Jazz seemingly had nothing to worry about when Dallas led 88-76 after the third period. And after baskets by Howard Eisley and Malone cut the deficit to 88-80, Utah looked poised for a surge. But Shawn Bradley, who had 12 points, scored twice as the Mavericks regained control, 94-80, with 9:03 to play. Each subsequent Jazz run was answered by a Davis' field goals or Nash's free throws. "We didn't play hard until the last few minutes," said Utah's Bryon Russell, who scored 20. "You can't do that against a team that's been scoring all night. They were able to do whatever they wanted." John Stockton had 16 points and 14 assists one day after his 38th birthday. Game notesFour teams have never won at the Delta Center: the L.A. Clippers (0-17), Cleveland (0-9), Detroit (0-8) and Philadelphia (0-7). ... Finley has played in 367 straight games, the league's second-longest streak. Eisley is next at 348. A.C. Green of the Lakers has played in 1,098 straight. ... Hornacek, the league's leading free-throw shooter, missed from the line in the second quarter. He went 2-of-3 for the game, putting him at 158-of-166 on the season. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Dallas Clubhouse Utah Clubhouse RECAPS San Antonio 90 Seattle 82
Dallas 113
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