Associated Press photo
Dirk Nowitzki is a 7 foot shooter who has been known to knock down clutch shots. Glen Davis is maybe 6'9" and, while he's known for his hustle and heart... he's not a big leaper or shot blocker.
So when the Mavs had the ball with :20 left, the game tied and Big Baby switched onto him (after KG got stuck to a Tyson Chandler pick), we all knew the inevitable would happen: Dirk shot right over the top of him.... swish... Mavs up 2.
But the C's had another chance.... which they bungled as well. Rajon Rondo dribbled around the perimeter as the C's missed pick after pick and ran around trying to salvage the broken play. The end result: a Rajon Rondo 3. Not exactly plan A.
They even had ANOTHER chance when Jason Terry fouled Ray Allen with 1.5 seconds left... but the C's couldn't free anyone up and the ball went to a double-teamed KG in the corner that resulted in a whole lotta nothing.
The C's started out the game looking like a team playing in back-to-back games. Guys were taking plays off... jumpers were short... they were lazy on D. It resulted in a 50-40 halftime deficit. But unlike last night, they came out strong in the 3rd quarter, and took a 67-63 league on Paul Pierce's 3. Dallas went on a quick 7-2 run to end the quarter, though... and went into the 4th with a 1 point lead.
Jermaine O'Neal missed the entire second half with that knee problem. Glen Davis played most of the second half in his place... and played well. He finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals. Rajon Rondo had 11 points, 15 assists, and 5 steals. Paul Pierce dropped 24 and 7. KG had 18 points and 15 rebounds. Ray Allen was off... shooting 4 of 11 and finishing with 11.
Dirk dropped 25. Jason Terry had 17.
Next up: Miami on Thursday.