Saturday, April 29, 2006
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks to a 94-89 overtime win in Memphis.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 36 points, including a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime and six points in the extra period, to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 94-89 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday for a 3-0 lead in the first-round series.
The Grizzlies, still without a postseason victory, slowed the Dallas offense that had overpowered them in first two games and held off the Mavericks until late in regulation. However, Nowitzki and the Mavs were simply too much.
Dallas outscored Memphis 18-13 in overtime, led by Nowitzki and Jason Terry who had five points in the extra period to finish with 22. Game 4 is Monday in Memphis.
Pau Gasol, the Grizzlies' scoring leader who has struggled against the Mavericks, scored 16 points -- two in overtime.
Chucky Atkins had 20 points to lead Memphis, but missed the Grizzlies' final shot in regulation on an attempted layup.
The Grizzlies dropped to 0-11 in the playoffs, the longest losing streak of any playoff team before a first postseason victory. They also tied the NBA record for consecutive playoff losses set by Denver in 1994. Memphis, in the playoffs for the third time in franchise history, was swept last year by Phoenix and the year before by San Antonio.
Josh Howard had 16 points Jerry Stackhouse added 10 for Dallas.
Nets 97, Pacers 88
INDIANAPOLIS -- Vince Carter scored 28 points, Richard Jefferson had 22 as New Jersey tied the Eastern Conference first-round series at two games apiece.
Nenad Krstic added 21 points for the Nets and Jason Kidd had 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal scored 22 points before fouling out with 1:21 left. Pacers forward Peja Stojakovic sat out with an injured right knee.
New Jersey led 76-57 at the end of the third quarter, but the Nets helped the Pacers get back into the game. Two quick technical fouls were called on Jefferson and New Jersey coach Lawrence Frank with 12:15 left in the fourth quarter and the Nets' Jason Collins was called for a flagrant foul on O'Neal with 10:01 left.
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