When Kobe Bryant drained a three-pointer to put the Los Angeles Lakers up by 16 points in the second half, nobody would have been surprised if the Dallas Mavericks packed it in. After all, these perennial underachievers are not exactly known for their play-off tenacity.
Nowitzki scored 28 points and hit two go-ahead free throws with 19.5 seconds left, Jason Kidd forced a crucial turnover moments later and the Mavericks escaped with a 96-94 victory in Game One on Monday night, when Bryant missed two late chances to steal it back for the Lakers.
Jason Terry scored 15 points and Nowitzki had 14 rebounds for the Mavericks, who erased that huge third-quarter deficit before the dramatic finish to the perennial play-off teams’ first post-season meeting in 23 years. The Mavericks trailed 92-87 with 3:32 to play, but finished on a 9-2 run.
“I thought we did a great job hanging in there,” Nowitzki said. “It wasn’t looking good, but we talked about it in the huddle. Just stick with it, try to get some stops, don’t turn the ball over and get a shot up every time. Just at least give ourselves a chance to make it.”
They made it all right – but only when Bryant, who scored 21 of his 36 points in the second half, couldn’t provide his usual late-game heroics.
“I think they always had hope,” Bryant said of the Mavs. “They’re in the second round. They’re here to play. I don’t really see it as a big deal. We’ve got to improve.”
Game Two is tonight at Staples Center.
Hawks 103, Bulls 95
IN CHICAGO: Joe Johnson scored 34 points and Atlanta beat top-seeded Chicago in Game One of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The Bulls got a scare when Derrick Rose came up limping at the end of the game. He stepped on Jamal Crawford’s foot as he dribbled out the final seconds and was helped off by teammates and a trainer.
Game Two is tonight at the United Center.
