Feliz Navidad....Mavs win 102-94 over Blazers

AP Photo/Don Ryan


PORTLAND --Dirk Nowitzki goes for 30 and the Dallas Mavericks played Scrooge tonight downing the Portland Trailblazers 102-94 sending the holiday crowd home with a little less cheer and giving the Mavericks a three game win streak.

"We've got a lot of work to do." - Dirk Nowitzki

The game was full of scoring as both teams shot for an outstanding percentage from the field they were a combined 49 percent (74-150). At the end of the first the Mavericks held a slim four point lead 33-29 and were able to hold on through a second quarter that was filled with action.

With about six minutes remaining in the half Dirk (twinkle toes) Notwitzki scored on twirling layup to push the Mavericks lead nine then 10 because he was fouled on his pirouette to the hoop.

But the young Blazers did not blink. They moved the ball down the court and lost guard Jason Kidd on a Greg Oden screen that freed Rudy Fernandez who hit a clutch three to pull the Blazers to within seven. The teams would trade misses before Dirk's foul on former Maryland Terrapin Steve Blake, who made two free throws and suddenly the game was at five. Guard Brandon Roy could not be handled off the dribble and he strolled through a porous Mavericks defense laying up softly over Josh Howard and Dirk to bring Portland back to within three forcing a Dallas timeout with 2:36 remaining in the quarter.

Out of the timeout Jason "the Jet" Terry laced a mid range jumper over Blake to put the lead back to five. Then the Blazers got cold and started to clang shots off the rim. Dirk was fouled and hit two free throws now the lead was back to seven. Still the Blazers would not go away and they hung tough with stout defense and timely three point shots. As the final seconds of the half ticked away Dirk floated a high arching shot over former high school phenom Travis Outlaw. His high kneed, Magic Johnson like jumper was in a word indefensible. Guess the fifth year pro should have payed more attention in class because Dirk would school him all night and Dallas took a their four point first quarter lead to half time 59-55.

After the half, the game went along swingingly until about the 4:41 mark when the Mavericks Josh Howard shoved Blazers center Joel Pryzbilla to the floor on a entry pass. The uncalled for rough play quickly earned him a flagrant one from veteran official Robert Delaney. Pryzbilla was also given a technical foul by the referee who is well-known for his hard-nosed approach to rough play and disdain for foul mouths. Yet, Howard continued to jaw at him and he was rewarded with quick another technical and he was ejected. The Mavericks unfazed and unimpressed by his Ron Artest like play, were able to hold on to a slim two point edge before the Blazers came back again.

Travis Outlaw would get his revenge on Dirk as the quarter wound down stripping him repeatedly helping the Blazers capitalize. The raucous Rose Garden crowd was treated to a dazzling rebound and score by Rudy Fernandez off a Steve Blake missed three point attempt to take a three point lead of their own 80-77 into the fourth and deciding quarter.

But a poor shooting start to the quarter by Portland (0-4 FGs) allowed the Mavericks grab a brief one point lead when Brandon Bass stroked a slippery jumper on a pass from Jose Barea. The Blazers took a time out and were able to regain the lead quickly as LaMarcus Aldridge lifts and scored over Dirk, 82-81 Blazers.

The teams dueled back and forth all night and they would continue down the stretch. Blazers Rudy Fernandez and Travis Outlaw combined youth, speed and athleticism to push the Portland lead to three again at the nine minute mark but Dallas would regroup for the final minutes. Jason Terry and Jason Kidd would hit back to back three pointers to give the Mavericks a 95-92 lead and the Blazers would never get any closer.

Moments later more hustle play from the smallest guy on the floor Barea would give Dallas a 97-92 lead at 3:33 capping a fierce 10-2 run. Portland coach Nate McMillan called a time out hoping to come up with one last Christmas miracle to derail the Mavericks express.

But out of the time out it was Barea again finding a wide open Brandon Bass in the lane who powered home a thunderous dunk to push the lead to a more comfortable seven for the Mavericks.

The teams would exchange baskets again before veteran point man Jason Kidd would take the air out of the ball slowly taking the ball up the floor and the Mavericks got hard earned road victory.