Dirk Nowitzki spearheads the Dallas Mavericks in a stunning 96-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers
On Monday night, Dirk Nowitzki powered the Dallas Mavericks to a 96-94 victory against the two times defending champions, the mighty Los Angele Lakers at the Staples
Centre, L.A.
Playing in the game-1of the Western conference semi-finals, Nowitzki thumped a dazzling double-double that lifted the Mavericks over the Lakers. The German sharp-shooter
scored 28 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out three assists, made two steals and also swatted one shot.
Jason Kidd wracked 11 assists for the Mavs, most by any player in the entire game.
The Lakers opened the first quarter on aggressive note. Kobe Bryant’s two floaters and a three quickly paced the Lakers onto a 9-4 advantage. The Mavericks though
were always within the striking distance and clutched the lead with Jason Terry’s whooshing three-pointer with 3:31 left in the first. Dallas ended up securing the first period by 25-23.
The Mavericks led the Lakers by two points going into the second quarter and stretched it to as many as five points early. Dallas remained in charge in most part
of the quarter. However with three minutes left in the break, the Lakers nudged ahead on a Derik Fisher two-point shot, pushing the score to 43-42. The lead gave Los Angeles a boost and they outscored the Mavs with a 9-2 run in the ensuing passage, leading
them by 53-44 at the halftime.
After the break, the Lakers displayed the same fierceness; they showed in the closing passage of the first half and amplified their nine-point lead to 16 with a 7-0
blitz. The Lakers glided throughout the third and finished with a 78-71 lead going into the last 12 minutes.
The Lakers did not go for the kill though and blew away seven point lead early in the final quarter. Mavs came rushing back with a 10-4 run that notched the lead
down to 81-82. Lamar Odom and Bryant however nipped the surge and pushed the lead back to five points again.
The Lakers failed to stretch their advantage further though and lost the momentum in the last four minutes when Nowitzki and company launched their final assault.
The surge which saw Dallas pulling off a 9-2 spurt snatched the victory from the hands of Los Angeles.
Bryant led the Lakers with his 36 points, five rebounds, one steal and one block.
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