NBA Playoffs 2011: Mavericks Rally, Stun Lakers at Staples Center
When you're down 60-44 in L.A. against the Lakers, you might as well give up, right? No team has come back against the Lakers from a deficit like that to win in a long time.
Until now.
Somehow, Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks stayed in the game and found a way to stun L.A., 96-94. Luck helped in the final seconds with a couple free throws to seal the deal, and Kobe actually missing a game-winning three-pointer.
The Lakers went on a 21-2 run in the second and third quarters, changing a 42-39 deficit into a 60-44 lead. In L.A., when the Lakers have the momentum, it's hard to change it back. But Dallas did just that.
The main reason the Mavericks won is shooting. Dallas shot 49.4 percent from the field, while L.A. only shot 42.9 percent. Dallas drained nine triples, while Los Angeles only scored on five. Even though L.A. made 17 free throws, and Dallas only made nine, the Mavericks made the ones they needed to, especially late in the game, to catch up with the Lakers.
Another category Dallas starred in was assists. Jason Kidd did dish out 11 of the team's 30 assists, but it is hard to put up double-digit assist numbers against L.A. Kidd was a huge reason the Mavericks won, and Jose Juan Barea helped with five assists.
The Mavericks went on a 19-4 run with Dirk, Jason Kidd, Tyson Chandler, Corey Brewer, and Shawn Marion contributing with points. Marion's triple from the wing cut the L.A. lead to 64-61 and capped off the run.
When you play L.A., it's not that easy to win. This was a very streaky game, so the Lakers had a chance—and a better chance than Dallas, too. Although Tyson Chandler would cut the lead to two in the third, L.A. wouldn't go away.
With the Lakers on top 71-68, Kobe drained a three and then, after a pair of free throws from Pau Gasol, L.A. led by 8. But in the fourth, it wasn't L.A. who came out ready. Dallas scored five straight to open up the period, with Peja Stojakovic knocking down a triple. With Dallas down 80-76, Nowitzki stepped up from the wing and knocked another three down.
After L.A. went back up by five, the game started going back and forth. L.A. was up 90-87 late when Kobe knocked down a jumpshot with Jason Terry guarding him. After a couple of Dallas buckets, Kobe got back at them with a drive and finish on Jason Kidd. With a minute to go, L.A. led 94-91. It looked like L.A. would hold on after all.
Dallas didn't want to fall behind 1-0 in the series, so Dirk stepped up. He made a nine-footer to cut the L.A. lead back to one and, after Jason Terry stole a bad pass from Kobe, Dallas called timeout.
On the inbound play, Dirk would run near the half-court line with Pau Gasol guarding him. Jason Kidd lobbed the pass up to Dirk, who couldn't get it. The reason why was that Gasol bumped him—even though it was small, it was just enough to get the foul called.
Dirk nailed both foul shots, giving the Mavericks their first lead since 42-41. When Pau had the ball on the perimeter, and Kobe was coming around to get a handoff, Kobe stumbled and Jason Kidd ended up with the loose ball (Gasol couldn't do anything else with it). Kidd made one out of two free throws.
On the ensuing inbound, Kobe obviously was ready to get the ball. Derek Fisher passed it to Kobe and he pulled up and shot a three from the right wing. It looked good, but bounced off the side rim. Dallas had somehow beat L.A.!
Game 2 is Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
