|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME FLOW
DALLAS (AP) -- Michael Finley had the best night by a Dallas
Maverick this season to help Don Nelson become the third winningest
coach in NBA history.
Finley scored 38 points, 27 in the first half when Dallas went
ahead to stay, as the Mavericks beat the Seattle SuperSonics 114-93
Tuesday night to give Nelson his 945th career victory.
After Finley started and ended an 11-0 run to wrap up the first
quarter, Dallas trailed just one possession the rest of the game.
"He came through for us. He's our All-Star and he got us going
early," said Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, who added 21 points and
11 rebounds. "He carried us and played with a lot of energy."
Finley's layup with 1:44 left in the first quarter started the
pivotal run. Hubert Davis' steal led to Steve Nash's 3-pointer six
seconds later, and Finley later ended the quarter with a rebound
and a pass to Nowitzki for a breakaway dunk that made it 26-19.
Finley then made all seven of his shots in the second quarter,
including 10 points in the last five minutes of the first half. He
finished 16-for-22 shooting.
"I had some good looks at the basket, and my teammates were
finding me. If I would have made some free throws, it could have
been even better," said Finley, who was 4-for-8 from the line.
The 38 points by Finley, who also had nine rebounds and eight
assists, were the most by a Dallas player this season and just one
point short of his career high. The 27 first-half points were also
the most scored by a Maverick in a half.
"Finley got off to a great start and they were able to ride
him," Seattle forward Vin Baker said. "He was their wild card."
Nelson moved into third place for coaching wins behind Toronto's
Lenny Wilkens (1,192) and Miami's Pat Riley (1,012). Nelson,
945-763 in 23 NBA seasons, had been tied with Bill Fitch, who also
lost 1,106 games.
Nelson is just enjoying the 19-11 start for the Mavericks, who
haven't been to the playoffs since 1990. He has three games left
before leaving the team for 6-to-8 weeks for prostate cancer
treatment.
"I've never left a team for this long of time. It's all new for
me," Nelson said. "It's hard because I'd love to be with these
guys, but they need me more through the hard times than good
times."
Seattle took its last lead on Gary Payton's driving layup with
5:53 left in the first half made it 38-37 and ended an 11-0 run by
the Sonics. After Payton's miss on the next possession, Howard
Eisley grabbed the rebound and Davis scored on a driving layup and
made the free throw to put the Mavericks ahead to stay.
Payton had 23 points and nine assists to lead Seattle, which
lost consecutive games for the first time since Nate McMillan
replaced fired coach Paul Westphal. The Sonics are 9-5 under
McMillan after starting 6-9 under Westphal.
"We didn't display the type of energy that Dallas did and we
didn't respond when we were down," McMillan said. "Dallas wanted
it more, and we gave them the game."
The Mavericks extended their 57-51 halftime lead when Eisley
scored all of Dallas' points in an opening 8-2 run. Eisley had
two 3-pointers and a breakaway layup after Nowitzki's steal in the
2½-minute outburst. Eisley finished with 12 points.
Nowitzki had his third straight double-double and 11th this
season. Nash had 22 points, including four 3-pointers.
Consecutive 3-pointers by Nash put the Mavericks ahead 86-71 with
3:33 left in the third quarter and they led by double-digits the
rest of the game.
Brent Barry added 20 points for Seattle.
Game notes
Patrick Ewing had five rebounds, giving him 11,001 for his
career. He is the 22nd NBA player with 11,000 career rebounds. ...
Twice in an 11-second span of the third quarter, double technicals
were called. Finley and Baker got called at 2:43, followed by
Christian Laettner and Payton. ... Davis' 26 points in the second
half of a 116-110 victory over Seattle on Nov. 21 had been the
previous best half for a Dallas player this season. ... Payton has
started 344 straight games, an NBA high. ... Dallas forward Loy
Vaught didn't dress because of a bruised right knee. He could
be back Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers. ... Rashard
Lewis played just 16 minutes while battling a stomach virus, and
scored just three points, only the second time this season he hasn't
scored in double figures.
|
|
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Seattle Clubhouse
Dallas Clubhouse
RECAPS
Charlotte 115
Cleveland 110
Detroit 101
Boston 96
Atlanta 81
New Jersey 76
Dallas 114
Seattle 93
Milwaukee 89
Orlando 77
Minnesota 100
Toronto 97
San Antonio 103
Houston 95
Denver 109
LA Clippers 108
Philadelphia 97
Utah 91
Phoenix 97
Vancouver 95
|
