Houston Rockets Francisco Garcia (32) and Jeremy Lin (centre) defend Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul as he drives to the basket during the second half of their NBA game in Houston, yesterday.
DALLAS, Texas: Dirk Nowitzki scored the go-ahead three pointer with 2.9 seconds remaining to lift the Dallas Mavericks to a 100-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls yesterday.
Germany’s Nowitzki scored a season-high 35 points on 14-of-17 shooting from the field for the Mavericks, who closed the match on a 15-1 run.
Nowitzki, who shot five-of-six from beyond the arc, scored Dallas’ final eight points.
“We came back from double-digit deficits three times,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “This is a special group of guys even though our year has been a rough year. We’re going to keep battling and I believe in them.”
Veteran Vince Carter had 17 points off the bench for the Mavericks, who won their fourth game in their last five to remain in contention for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Brandan Wright also finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds in the win.
Carlos Boozer had 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Luol Deng and Nate Robinson scored 25 points apiece for the Bulls, who had their modest three game win streak halted.
There were 16 lead changes and six ties in a first half that ended with Chicago ahead by three, 56-53. Deng and Robinson combined on a 22-10 run to open the fourth that gave the Bulls a 12-point lead with just over four minutes left.
But the Mavs fought back and Nowitzki drained a fadeaway jumper from the baseline to cut the margin to 98-97 with 27 seconds left in the fourth.
Jimmy Butler then missed two free throws with 16 seconds remaining and Nowitzki hit a three pointer from the top of the key with just under three seconds remaining to give Dallas the lead.
Robinson’s three point attempt from the right side missed and the Mavericks celebrated the victory.
Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant passed Wilt Chamberlain for fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list yesterday to help the Los Angeles Lakers to a much-needed 103-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
Bryant’s jump shot with 7:54 to play in the first half gave him 31,421 career points, taking him past Chamberlain’s total of 31,419.
Bryant, who went into the game trailing Chamberlain by four points, is behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928) and Michael Jordan (32,292).
Bryant had passed former team-mate Shaquille O’Neal for fifth place on the list. But Bryant said passing Chamberlain, an NBA icon with Philadelphia ties like himself, was special.
“He was such a warm-hearted gentleman, I have nothing but praise for him. To pass him up is a huge honor to say the least,” Bryant said.
Bryant has insisted he’s more concerned with gaining a sixth NBA title, and the 34-year-old has a battle on his hands with the Lakers struggling to make the playoffs this season.
The Lakers limped into Sacramento, the final stop in a four-game road trip, with Bryant fighting pain from a bone spur in his left foot, an injury that apparently is not related to his sprained left ankle. The Houston Rockets shrugged off the absence of leading scorer James Harden to post a 98-81 NBA victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
Omer Asik had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds with point guard Jeremy Lin, forward Chandler Parsons and reserve guard Francisco Garcia chipping in 15 points apiece as Houston snapped a five-game skid against the Clippers. The all-around offensive effort saw the Rockets overcome the absence of Harden, who sat out the contest with soreness in his right foot, which has bothered him intermittently for several weeks. Carlos Delfino added 11 points for the Rockets, who insured the Clippers would wait at least one more game for a club-record 50th win of the season.
The Rockets, seventh in the Western Conference and determined to strengthen their hold on a playoff spot, were in control throughout against the Pacific Division-leading Clippers, who are assured of a playoff spot.
The Rockets led 55-50 at halftime, and pulled away from the Clippers as they out-scored Los Angeles 30-13 in the third quarter.
Chris Paul led the Clippers with 19 points. Jamal Crawford added 15 and Blake Griffin scored 12 in the setback. The Rockets, seventh in the Western Conference and determined to strengthen their hold on a playoff spot, were in control throughout against the Pacific Division-leading Clippers, who are assured of a playoff spot.
Agencies
