Friday, May 6, 2011

Second Round- Mavs vs Lakers: Game 3

The Mavs returned to Friday night's game in Dallas after winning 2 straight on the two-time defending champs' home floor, looking for their 3rd win-5th straight in the playoffs-and move 1 game away from the Western Conference Finals. Dirk Nowitzki took matters into his own hands down the stretch in the fourth quarter and helped his team gain a 98-92 victory and move to 3-0 in the series.

Lamar Odom started in place of Ron Artest who was suspended after slapping Barea hard in the face in the last 22 seconds of Game 2.

The Lakers started the first quarter with a quick start with the help of Bynum inside but the Mavericks answered with back to back 3-pointers from Nowitzki to spark a 12-4 Dallas run. Kobe and Bynum picked up two quick fouls each as well as Haywood and Chandler; but despite the Mavs' two centers' quick fouls, they took an early lead after the first quarter, 29-27.

In the second quarter, Terry joined Dirk on the floor to help the Mavs offensively and keep them in the game while Bryant did the same down the other end. The Lakers then went on a 13-3 due to Dallas' multiple turnovers and empty possessions, followed by two consecutive Bynum dunks to give the Lakers a 51-47 lead to end the first half.

In the first half, Dirk had 18 points and Terry added 12 of his own. Bynum and Odom had 24 combined points to help outshoot the Mavs, 52.5% to 45.9% and outscore them in the paint, 34-12.

The Lakers opened up a 7-point lead in the start of the third quarter but Kidd and Dirk hit back to back 3-pointers to keep the Mavs close. Despite Dallas' efforts to tie the game at 64, the Lakers proceeded to go on an 8-2 run to end the quarter up 72-66.

Stojakovic swish in a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter but the Lakers continued to score and had a 79-71 lead with just under 10 minutes to go; but the Mavericks wouldn't give up just yet. A basket by JJ followed by another 3-pointer by Peja helped the Mavs climb back. Just when LA tried to pull away with the lead once again, Dirk and Peja each hit a 3-pointer to lead the Mavs on a 10-2 run to give the Mavs an 88-87 lead, their first since 3 minutes left in the first half. Dirk continued to score as Terry hit a 3-pointer and took a 2 for 2 trip to the free throw line to give Dallas a 95-91 lead with 18 seconds left to go. Then just 2 seconds later, the Lakers turned the ball over which led to another pair of points at the foul line from Terry. Gasol then took a trip to the line with 9 ticks remaining and hit just 1 of 2. Kidd hit another shot to continue the 20-7 Dallas run during the final 5 minutes of play. The Mavs held onto the lead until the final buzzer and got the Game 3 victory, 98-92, to take a 3-0 series lead.

Dirk finished with a game-high 32 points to go along with 9 rebounds. Off the bench, Terry had 23 points and Peja added 15 after hitting three 3-pointers. Kidd made it four Mavs in double figures with 11 points and 9 assists.

Bynum led five Lakers in double figures with a double double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. Odom had 18 points and Kobe was held to just 17 points of his own.

Once again, the Mavs had an advantage in bench scoring, 42-15. Dallas also had a 39-37 advantage in rebounding as well as hitting 24 of 29 free throws, taking 15 more than LA. Despite the loss, the Lakers outshot the Mavs, 47.6% to 46.3% as well as outscored them in the paint, 56-20; but the Mavs dominated from the outside, hitting 12 of 29 3-pointers as opposed to LA's 3 for 13.

The Mavericks now have a 3-0 lead in the series which means they are just 1 game away from a Lakers sweep as well as the Western Conference Finals. But even with the 3-0 advantage, the Mavs aren't celebrating until its over.

“Just taking it one game at a time,” center Tyson Chandler added. “We’ve been fortunate to get this 3-0 lead. Until it’s 4-0, I’m not going to count them out. I don’t want to put any words in their mouths. I’m not sure how they’re feeling right now. I just know how we’re feeling. We feel like we’ve got to seize the moment. We’ve got a great opportunity, and we’ve got to close it.”

“We’re not thinking that we’ve won three games and can walk over these guys,” Terry added. “They’re the champions. You’ve got to knock the champ out in boxing and in basketball.”

Dallas will try to close out the series in Game 4 Sunday evening at the AAC.

**Game 4 will air on ABC, Sunday, May 8th, at 3:30pm ET.

Bynum puts up a jumper

Dirk's left open for a jumper

Terry puts up a floater over Gasol

Kobe looks to make a move

Terry pumping up the crowd after he hit a 3-pointer

Gasol trying to get a shot off over Dirk

Photo Credit:
Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
Danny Bollinger/NBAE/Getty Images
Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images

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Second Round- Mavs vs Lakers: Game 3