Western Conference semi-finals round-up: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Game-1: Dallas Mavericks 96 – Los Angeles Lakers 94
Dirk Nowitzki led a late charge for the Dallas Mavericks, who squeaked past the Los Angeles Lakers in a 96-94 victory on May 2, 2011 at the Staples Centre. With this win, the Mavs moved up 1-0 in the best of the seven game series.
Nowitzki scored 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Mavs in this game.
The Mavs led the Lakers in the first quarter 25-23, before they outscored them 30-19 to take a 53-44 advantage into the break. After the Lakers bounced back in the third, the Mavs got themselves together and outplayed the Lakers
in the fourth quarter 25-16, to clinch the first victory of the series. Kobe Bryant was the major contributor for the Lakers with 36 points.
Game-2: Dallas Mavericks 93 – Los Angeles Lakers 81
Nowitzki once again marshalled as the Mavs defeated the Lakers with a 93-81 margin on May 4, 2011. The German sharp-shooter pounded 24 points, grasped seven rebounds and two assists for the Mavs, who clinched a 2-0 lead in the
series.
The first-half belonged to the Lakers. However after lurking within the striking distance in the first half, the Mavs made a strong comeback in the second to seal the game. Andrew Bynum led the Lakers with 18 points and 13 rebounds
in the loss.
Game-3: Dallas Mavericks 98 – Los Angeles Lakers 92
After beating the Lakers in their own back yard in the first two games of the series, the Mavs knocked the Lakers down for the third straight time. They were led by Nowitzki once again, who posted 32 points and 9 rebounds to propel
the Mavs to a 98-92 win at the American Airline Centre.
Jason Terry came off the bench to score 23 points while Peja Stojakovic posted 11 of his 15 points in the crucial fourth quarter. The Mavs were trailing by 85-78 when Stojakovic canned a three to ignite a fight back. What followed
was a barrage of long range shots from Nowitzki, Stojakovic and Terry as the Mavs reclaimed the lead for the first time since it was 45-44 late in the first half. Bynum led the pack for the second successive time in the series, but didn’t get much support
from other team-mates. He scored 21 points and clutched 10 rebounds.
Game-4: Dallas Mavericks 122 – Los Angeles Lakers 86
The two times defending champions came into the game four of the series looking to keep their hopes alive with a win. This Mavs however had other ideas. Led by Jason Terry, they launched a procession of three point shots that completely
knocked the steam out of the Lakers and they slumped to a blow-out 122-86 loss. With this win, the Mavs swept the Lakers and booked a place in the Western Conference Finals. This was also the last game in-charge for the Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Terry added
32 points and four assists for the Mavs while Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 10 points and eight rebounds.
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