Dallas Mavericks hold off later charge by Washington Wizards to win 107-101 – NBA Recap
After dominating the Washington Wizards in the second period by outscoring them 40-26, the Dallas Mavericks allowed them back into the game in the final period and narrowly escaped with a 107-101 victory here on Wednesday night at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks played well throughout the first three quarters, but were outscored by the Wizards 22-34 in the final period which allowed the travelling Wizards back into the game. O.J. Mayo led the Mavericks with a team high 25 points and 4 assists, going 9 of 15 from the field. Chris Kaman added 23 points and 8 rebounds, going 10 of 12 from the field. Jordan Crawford led the Wizards in scoring with 21 points and 7 assists off the bench, where as Kevin Seraphin finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The loss for the Wizards means that they remain the only team in the league yet to record a victory this season, falling down to an 0-7 record.
Both teams started the first period neck to neck, with Bradley Beal scoring a three pointer to put the Wizards up 10-8. A.J. Price followed with another three pointer and the Wizards were up 13-8. Dallas came back with 6 straight points to lead 14-13. A jump shot by Rodrigue Beaubois near the end of the period had the Mavericks up 23-19 heading into the final period.
Dallas kept their offensive momentum alive in the second period, extending their lead to 33-27 with two free throws by Jae Crowder. Six straight points later in the period had the Mavericks up 43-33, as points came easily for the home team in the second quarter. They went on another 7-0 run to push their lead up to 52-35, and outscored the Wizards 40-26 overall in the second period to lead 63-45 at the half time break.
The Mavericks continued with the offensive onslaught in the third period, holding on to a double digit lead. Vince Carter knocked down a three pointer to have the Mavericks leading 77-58, and Crowder scored another three later in the period to put them up 80-62. Crawford scored a three pointer for the Wizards as the last field goal of the period, helping the Wizards reduce the deficit to 67-85 heading into the final period.
Washington started the final period on an 18-3 run, capped off by back to back three pointers by Cartier Martin. The Mavs had 4 turnovers in the period before they scored their first field goal. A turnaround jump shot by Seraphin had the Wizards trailing by four, and he later scored back to back field goals to have the Wizards trailing 98-101 with 1:56 left in the game. Martin then nailed a three pointer and the Wizards were down by three, but the Mavericks were able to put up a three point play with 17 seconds left to give the Mavericks a 107-101 victory.
Crowder finished with 12 points, Elton Brand had 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Troy Murphy came off the bench to add 10 points for the Mavericks. Martin scored 14 points for the Wizards including a 4 of 4 performance from three point range, and Price finished with 11 points.
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