News / Sports
NBA Scores: Dirk Nowitzki Answers Critics Mavericks Nip Warriors in Game Five
Dirk Nowitzki scored 13 of his game-high 30 points in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter to lift the Dallas Mavericks past the Golden State Warriors 118-112. The Mavericks have pulled within one game of evening their Western Conference playoff series with the Warriors.
Golden State trailed by as many as 21 points in the second quarter but closed the period on a 23-9 run to cut their deficit to seven. The Warriors then used a 9-3 run to start the second half an pulled to within one. Despite the Mavericks collapse, they managed to hold the lead throughout the quarter.
Matt Barnes then put the Warriors in front with a dunk in the fourth and when Jason Richardson and Baron Davis hit back-to-back three pointers to build a 112-103 lead with 3:20 left in the game it looked as if the Mavericks perfect season would end in a huge disappointment.
Up steps Dirk Nowitzki. After burying a three-pointer to answer Davis’ triple he blocked a Matt Barnes layup and drilled another three-pointer to pull Dallas to within three. Devin Harris then hit a layup for the Mavs and the score was 112-111. Nowitzki then put the Mavericks in front for good with a 113-112 on a pair of free-throws.
If the Warriors lose the series they will look back to the final 3:20 of game five. Up by nine and rolling, the Warriors failed to score another point the rest of the way.
Dallas had six players score in double figures to keep their playoff hope alive. Josh Howard finished with 23 points and 8 rebounds and Devin Harris added 16 points and 7 assists. Nowitzki added 12 rebounds to his 30 point total.
The series now shifts back to Oakland where the two teams will meet on Thursday in game six of their best of seven series.
