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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – One of the reasons the Dallas Mavericks
clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time in 11 years was
because they played so well on the road.
Juwan Howard scored 30 points as the Mavericks defeated the
Golden State Warriors 110-101 Monday night to complete their first
winning season on the road and claim at least the fifth seed in the Western
Conference.
Michael Finley added 21 points for the Mavericks, who recorded
their team-record 25th victory away from home. Steve Nash added 17 and
Dirk Nowitzki had 14 before fouling out with 7:05 remaining.
"We think we can beat anybody on the road," said Nowitzki.
"When we make shots, defend and rebound, we're tough to beat even
on the road."
Dallas has beaten the Warriors nine in a row, including the last
four in Oakland.
Antawn Jamison, who will require stitches on a cut to the upper
lip suffered when he took an elbow from Howard with 2:53 left to
play, scored 31 points for Golden State, which lost its 12th
in a row. The Warriors fell to 2-31 since the All-Star break.
Vonteego Cummings had a season-high 22 points and 10 assists and
Chris Porter added 21 points.
With Don Nelson leading the Mavericks into the playoffs for the
first time since the 1989-90 season, Golden State becomes the team
with the longest playoff drought, seven years.
Nelson was coach of the Warriors the last time they reached the
playoffs in 1994. Dave Cowens is the fifth Warriors coach since
Nelson.
"This locked us in," said Nelson. "At least we know who we'll
be playing (Utah). That's a good opponent for us, because they're a
veteran team."
Wang Zhizhi, the first NBA player from China, received a warm
ovation when he entered the game with 4:08 left in the first
quarter, the earliest he's been in a game. He played a season-high
nine minutes.
"He played well," said Nelson. "We know he can play. He's
very comfortable, he can pass and shoot, and he's big."
Cummings hit a 3-pointer with 4:46 left in the third quarter to
tie the game at 70. But the Mavericks responded with a 13-6 run the
rest of the way to take an 83-76 lead into the final quarter.
"They can take the ball to the hole," said Golden State's
Corie Blount. "They're an exciting team to watch with Dirk and
Michael."
Dallas took the early lead by hitting nine of its first 12
shots, while the Warriors missed 13 of their first 19.
Erick Dampier's slam dunk with 1:52 left in the second quarter
gave Golden State a 51-48 lead, but the Mavericks went 9-2 the rest
of the way to take a 57-53 lead into halftime.
"We'll try to get through the next game as fast as possible and
call it a season," said Blount. "I just hope we don't have to go
through this again next year."
Game notes
The Warriors re-signed guard Chris Garner for the remainder
of the season. ... The San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce
named Monday "Wang Zhizhi Day." Wang visited a Chinese Hospital,
toured Chinatown and spoke to Chinese students at an elementary
school. ... Golden State will become the first professional sports
franchise to Webcast a live concert in streaming video when The
Temptations Review performs following the game Wednesday against the
Grizzlies. ... Dallas is 21-4 when shooting 50 percent or better.
... Dallas had players from five countries (United States, Germany,
Canada, Mexico, China) on the court at the start of the second
quarter. ... Nowitzki has made one of his last 15 3-point attempts.
... The Mavericks improved to 12-1 when all five starters score in
double figures.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Dallas Clubhouse
Golden State Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Juwan Howard flips the ball over his head for a Dallas basket.
avi: 490 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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