The Dallas Mavericks needed every one of Dirk Nowitzki’s 14 field goals as the Mavs finally defeated the Denver Nuggets to make the quarterfinal series 3-1 in favor of the Nuggets.
With 1:05 left in the game, Nowitzki hit his final field goal, a high-arching jumper that put the Mavs up for good.
Nowitzki scored 19 of his 44 points in the final period; willing the Mavericks over the Nuggets 119-117 in a heated contest Monday night in Dallas. With the win, the Mavs avoided being swept and feel alive again after a botched call (admitted by the NBA) cost them the game (Discuss NBA Playoffs).
“We’re not done yet,” Nowitzki said. “We played for one more chance.”
Nowitzki’s 44 points was his highest-scoring game in this year’s playoffs and his performance helped to counter Carmelo Anthony’s playoff career-high 41 points.
The 7-0 German has only shot 25% from beyond the arc in the playoffs, but in game four Monday night, Dirk did not attempt one three-point attempt. Whether that was coincidence or design, Nowitzki wasn’t settling for the long ball, and was much more aggressive.
Nowitzki hit 16 of 17 free throws and also added 13 rebounds to record his fourth double-double of the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
Jason Kidd finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. Josh Howard added 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Dallas has never been swept in a seven-game series.
Links and Resources: Is arrested woman Dirk Nowitzki’s pregnant fiancée? (Interbasket), The official Dirk Nowitzki tribute thread (Intrbasket), 2009 NBA Playoff Forum (Interbasket)