Los Angeles Lakers crash out of the playoffs; get swept by the rampant Dallas Mavericks - Part 1
On Sunday night, the Dallas Maverick finally accomplished the inevitable when they swept the two times defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semi-final series.
On the night though, it was not the sweep but the manner of the sweep that left a sell-out crowd in awe. Dallas not only romped to a 122-86 win over the Lakers but they also equalled the NBA playoffs record for 3-pointers on their way to the rout. Dallas hit 20 shots from downtown as the Lakers simply fell apart in game-4. This was potentially Phil Jackson’s last night with the Lakers, but the ultimate game of his legendary career ended with a rout and his first ever playoff series loss by a 4 – 0 margin.
Dallas were dominant throughout the game and led by as many as 36 points at one point. They outscored Los Angeles in all but the third quarter. Jason Terry was the star of the show with a game high 32 points, including 9 efforts on target from the long range, equalling the NBA playoff record for most three’s in a game with. After the game the Dallas guard spoke of his delight,
"This was a great night. I'm very thankful that I had the hot hand."
Dallas had two more big contributions from the bench. Jose Barea scored 22, while Peja Stojakovic also had the hot hand from beyond the arc. Barea was six-of-six from the three point range and added 21 points. Mavericks All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki didn’t have to do much scoring on the night but still managed 17 from 7-of-11 shooting.
Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson said after the game that his team had been outplayed by a thrilling display from the Mavs,
"I don't think I've seen a team play to that level in a series in a game like they played this afternoon," Jackson said. "You'd like to have an opportunity to challenge, but we didn't."
The Mavericks brilliance aside, Los Angeles never got going themselves. It was a poor night all around for the Lakers. Pau Gasol’s post-season troubles continued as he managed just 10 points. Kobe Bryant top scored with a timid 17 and Shannon Brown had the second highest with just 15.
The first quarter of the game, was the only phase with any semblance of competition in the score line.
Kobe Bryant had claimed after the game-3 loss that the Lakers will win the series. He came out firing early on as he tried to give his team a head start. Kobe had 13 points in the first with 6-of-8 shooting. The lead changed hands 3-times but the Mavericks eventually came out on top in the end.
The score was tied at 19-19 when Jason Terry hit his first 3-pointer to put Dallas ahead with 2:11 left in the quarter. The quarter ended at 27 – 23. The Mavericks never looked back after that and led the Lakers till the end, for the most part by double digits.
The second quarter started with a hint of what was to come. Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic hit consecutive 3-pointers as the Mavericks pulled away from the Lakers. Another three from Terry took the lead to 10, with 9:33 left in the period. The Lakers could only watch on helplessly as Terry hit three more 3-pointers before the interval and Stojakovic added another 2 from beyond the arc. The ferocious assault by the Mavericks knocked the wind out of Los Angeles and they trailed at halftime 39 – 63.
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