Sat 1 Dec 2007
Howard’s 23 leads Mavericks past Trail Blazers 91-80
Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main
During a typical Dallas Mavericks victory, it is usually Dirk Nowitski providing the heroics. Tonight, it happened to be Josh Howard. Howard hit key baskets in the third period which were important in the Mavericks’ voctory over the Portland Trail Blazers 91-80 at Dallas. The first half was uneventful, as neither team was shooting well; Dallas held a slim 44-36 lead at halftime.Dallas picked up the pace a bit as Howard scored 6 points in an 8-0 Maveicks run to increase their lead to 66-47; they woule hold a 76-59 lead after 3 quarters. The Trail Blazers, courtesy of back-to-back baskets by LaMarcus Aldridge, got to within 76-65 with 9:10 remaining in the game. But the Mavericks’ Howard converted a 3-point play and Jason Terry made a 3-pointer to increase Dallas’ lead to 81-65. Portland made one last try, using an 8-0 run with 1:48 left to pull within 86-80.
But Dallas’ Devin Harris made 2 free throws, and Terry would hit a jumpoer with 36 seconds left; Terry would also convert 2 free throws to seal the win for Dallas. Dallas’ high scorer was Howard with 23 points and 14 rebounds; Terry added 17, going 4-of-7 from beyond the 3-point arc. Harris chipped in with 14. Portland was led by Aldridge with 22 points and a dozen rebounds, while Steve Blake added 12. Dallas (11-5) travels to New Orleans to take on the Hornets on Saturday, while Portland (5-11) travels south to challenge the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday afternoon.
