Nowitzki’s Buzzer-Beater In OT Helps Mavericks Edge Bucks 115-113

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap

Dirk Nowitzki

Monday night’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and the surprising Milwaukee Bucks was close through and through, so much so that it went an extra period. But it took a desperation basket by Dirk Nowitzki in overtime that hit the front of the rim, bounced off the backboard then went in, which allowed Dallas to escape from the Bradley Center with a 115-113 win over Milwaukee.

Dallas shot well in the first quarter as did Milwaukee, although the Mavericks’ largest lead got no larger than seven as they would go into the second quarter up 33-28. Both teams played a tight period until Jason Kidd drained a three-pointer at the buzzer, enabling the Mavericks to take a 12-point lead at 66-54 going into halftime.

They would continue their hot shooting, manufacturing a 17-2 which spanned the second and third quarters, padding the Mavericks lead to 74-56, capped by a Rodrigue Beaubois jumper. After a Bucks timeout, Milwaukee slowly chipped away at Dallas’ lead as Brandon Jennings hit a trey with a second left on he game clock, allowing the Bucks to get to within 85-82 going into the fourth quarter. The Bucks’ perseverance would pay off when they finally took the lead at 101-100 on a Ersan Ilyasova three-pointer with 1:57 left in regulation; after a Milwaukee timeout with 1:28 left, Jason Terry would hit a jumper which tied the game at 104-all as both teams went into overtime.

With 37 seconds left in overtime, the Bucks’ Luc Richard Mbah a Moute made a pair of free throws followed by a tip-in by Dallas’ Drew Gooden which set up the deciding play. Kidd inbounded the ball to Nowitzki, who heaved the ball, which hit the front of the rim, then the backboard then right into the basket at the buzzer, icing the game for Dallas.

Nowitzki led Dallas with 32 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block while Gooden added 22 with 14 rebounds; Terry pitched in 19 with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a block. Kidd nearly pulled off the triple-double as he scored 9 with 10 rebounds, 17 assists and 2 steals. Jennings led the Bucks with 25 points (including 4 three-pointers), 7 rebounds, 8 assists, a steal and a block while Ilyasova added 19 (including 4 treys) with 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals; Luke Ridenour chipped in 17 (including three 3-pointers) with 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Dallas (8-3) plays again on Wednesday when they host the San Antonio Spurs while Milwaukee (5-3) remains at home to host the New Jersey Nets – also on Wednesday night.

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