Dec

9

Howard’s 18 Second Half Points In Return Help Mavericks Skate Past Suns 102-101

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap 

Dirk Nowitzki

One could say that the Dallas Mavericks were managing quite well with out the services of Josh Howard, who was nursing an ankle injury. Fortunately for Dallas, Howard made his return as they hosted the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night. Things went rather slow for Howard initially, but got appreciably better as he scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half, allowing Dallas to escape American Airlines Center with a slim 102-101 win over Phoenix.

The first quarter was rather tight as both teams shared leads until Jared Dudley’s three-pointer with 1:36 left in the period gave the Suns a six-point lead at 27-21 and they would take a 29-23 edge going into the second quarter. The Mavericks would take the lead at 43-42 on a Jose Juan Barea jumper, but Phoenix would regain the lead with 15 seconds left in the half on a pair of Jason Richardson free throws as they would take a slim 50-49 lead into halftime.

Dirk Nowitzki’s jumper with 7:16 left in the third quarter gave Dallas the lead at 60-59 and would increase their lead to 77-70 on a Nowitzki 3-point play with 4 seconds remaining in the period which they would take to the final period. The Mavericks would get their first double-digit lead at 82-72 on a Howard trey; he would score Dallas’ next six points, putting them up 88-79 with 5:52 left in the game.

Phoenix chipped away at their deficit, getting to within 98-93 before the Mavericks took a timeout; with 6 ticks left on the game clock, Jason Terry calmly drained two free throws, giving Dallas a 102-99 lead. Steve Nash made a pair of free throws which put the Suns to within two; Terry was fouled but missed both free throws, Amare Stoudemire grabbed the rebound but missed the long 65-foot three-pointer, sealing the win for the Mavericks.

Nowitzki led all Mavericks scorers with 33 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a block while Howard added 20 with 6 rebounds, an assist, 3 steals and a block; Terry poured in 15 with a rebound, 3 assists and 2 steals. Phoenix was led by Nash with 27 points (including 3 three-pointers), 2 rebounds, 8 assists but committed 6 turnovers while Richardson added 25 with 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals; Stoudemire chipped in 20 with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a block.

Dallas (15-7) plays again on Friday when they fly to Miami to take on the Heat while Phoenix (15-7) returns home to host the Orlando Magic – also on Friday night.


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