Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 2: First half Analysis
The Staples Centre is witnessing Game 2 of the Western Conference semi-final series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks. Lakers were determined to strike back convincingly after losing Game 1 down the stretch at the same arena. However,
Dallas dominated the first half of the game accompanied with the brilliance of their star, Dirk Nowitzki.
First Quarter
Fired up with the determination to bounce back in the series, the Lakers headed out aggressively in the preliminary minutes of the first quarter and romped with 6-2 run to wrap up an early advantage. The versatile guard, Kobe Bryant, carried the action and
surged with two successive jumpers to stretch the score to 10-6. DeShawn Stevenson lifted the momentum for the Mavericks and buried two scorching blows from downtown and right after a short moment, Jason Kidd also landed a blistering 3-pointer that snatched
the lead 15-13 from the Lakers. Andrew Bynum and Bryant strived to reclaim the advantage, however, the prolific guard Nowitzki came in their way. Nowitzki powered Dallas with a smashing blow from beyond the arc, followed by a step back jump shot to amplify
the lead to 26-20 with the end of the period.
Second Quarter
Mavericks’ bench took charge early on in the second quarter of the game and outplayed the visiting team tremendously in the first five minutes. Dallas were leading with 37-32 when the All-Star Bryant smashed the Mavericks with 8 points along with Bynum’s
layup shot to reclaim the advantage 42-39 with less than four minutes remaining in halftime. However, Nowitzki and Jason’s forceful assault with a series of free throws and jump shots brought the Mavericks back on the frontline. Lakers tied the game 49-49
just before the halftime followed by Artest’s put-back layup shot as Nowitzki ruptured the tie with a go-ahead jumper in the last six seconds and Mavericks procured a 51-49 advantage as the game progressed into the first half.
Bryant and Bynum both scored 14 points apiece for the Lakers, however they failed place the team in the front going into the halftime.
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