Washington Wizards vs. Dallas Mavericks, second half analysis
The Dallas Mavericks took a one-point lead, 50-49 over the Washington Wizards after a cat and mouse game in the first half.
Third quarter
Andray Blatche had a jumper ready at the very start of the second half, going 51-50, outscoring the Mavericks.
Rashard Lewis was fouled for shooting that produced two free throws for the Mavericks, who went 52-51, outscoring Washington once again.
DeShawn Stevenson clinched a 3-pointer few moments after that and sealed his first three points and Dallas’s 55 with an assist from Jason Kidd. Washington went stumbling after that, missing a series of shots and a three-pointer that could have narrowed the
gap between the rivals.
The game was tied on 60-all when Nick Young produced a lead for the Wizards, but soon Jason Terry responded with a pull-up shot that tied the scores.
Dallas put on a shielding offence after that, not letting the opposition take over. By the 2:24 mark in the third quarter, they had set an eight point lead over the rivals. Dallas Mavericks led by the end of the third quarter, 74-68.
Fourth quarter
After limiting the rivals to a lowly defence, the Mavericks opened the final quarter with near perfection. Shawn Marion jumped onto the box from off the bench with a glint of offence in his eyes.
The player threw four shots one after the other, going eight points above the outclassed Washington Wizards, who were faltering badly. Yi Jianlian was fouled with 9 minutes left in the game, giving away a free throw to the leading team.
Ian Mahinmi trounced two more free throws after Blatche got fouled, to clinch 75-81, outscoring the Mavericks.
It was Dirk Nowitzki’s turn after that, the player scored a series of five shots to seal a ten-point lead over the Wizards but finished with a bad pass. Washington’s defence was meagre and Dallas kept manoeuvring the game in its own favour.
Time was running out and Washington had a long deficit to cover, Lewis clinched a three-pointer at the 3:32 mark, to go 89-95 in the stat. Kidd moved ahead to take the rein of the game in his hands never to relinquish.
He posted a three-pointer to score 100 for Dallas. The Wizards called out for a team timeout but Wall missed the three-pointer that he attempted.
Kidd took two free throws at the end of game, finalizing the scores at 102-92, Dallas Mavericks win.
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