Back To Back In H Town!

The fourth and final meeting of the season between the Mavericks and Rockets would provide entertainment, history, some late game drama, and another heartbreaker of a defeat.

No James Harden (who was out with a bruised thumb). Houston was on a back to back after a convincing 97-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

It looked like all pices would be in place for the Mavericks to continue their winning ways in their current homestand.

It was not to be.

Jeremy Lin collected 17 points in a fill-in role while the Rockets were able to hang on to a 117-115 victory after almost squandering a 12 point lead late in the 4th. Jose Calderon had two chances to win the game as the clock expired, only to hit rim twice and bounce away.

Dirk Nowitzki would collect his 26,000th career point right before hafltime while Dallas started off on a 32-30 run through one period. Dirk and DeJuan Blair with 11 points apiece when Sam Dalembert fell into foul trouble early. 

'He had a couple of fouls in the first two minutes, and he's got to avoid that.' Rick Carlisle would offer post game. 'It takes discipline, and he's got to be more disciplined than that.'

Trailing 63-57 at the half due to the Rockets shooting 63% to Dallas' 50% one stat uncovered: When the Mavericks allowed 60 or more points in the first half this season Dallas had a record of 1-6.

That number increased to 1-7.

Trying to employ a 'Hack-A-Dwight' approach to Dwight Howard in the 3rd period proved futile as Superman went 9 for 11 at the charity stripe. Howard had 21 points for the night as Houston improved to 31-17.

An 11-2 run by Dallas late in the third knotted things up at 75 apiece with five minutes left in third before the Rockets responded with a 9-2 run while Dirk sat on the bench. In the last period Chandler Parsons, Dwight Howard and Jeremy Lin continued to penetrate the paint and building a sizable lead before the final nail biting three minutes left Mavericks fans feeling empty.

56 points in the paint to Dallas' 50 had Rick Carlisle playing catchup all evening. Dirk finished his night with 38 points and a season high 17 rebounds. Vince Carter had 22 points of the bench in 25 plus minutes of play. Devin Harris with 14 and 13 overall for DeJuanBlair made for four Mavericks in double figures. There were also a few instances of layups made by the Rockets with Dallas' backs turned.

Coach Carlisle addressed the lack of effort.

“We gave ourselves a chance, which was great, but the first 46 minutes or whatever it was were not good,” Carlisle said. “It’s a lot of the same problem — keeping people in front of us and giving up too many layups. We’ve got to do better.”

Houston proceeded to have seven players in double figures (Terrence Jones, Jeremy Lin, Dwight, Patrick Beverley, Chandler Parsons, Aaron Brooks, and Donatas Montiejunas) as Chanderl Parsons led all Rocket shooters with 26. 

Parsons quick to point out the importance of defeating two foes back to back.

'Yes, these wins are huge for us' Chandler reflected. 'Those were big games for us, especially after losing two to Memphis, it was important for us to get these two. San Antonio is one of the best teams in the league, and like I said, Dallas is fighting for a playoff berth so those are two big wins for us'.

Even when Houston pushed the margin to 116-103 late an 11-1 run by the Mavericks kept the fans in the building on the edge of their seat before the final shot attempts by Jose Calderon fell short.

'Yeah, I think we kept fighting' Jose Calderon told the assembly by his locker after the game. 'We knew we were in a tough place. We couldn't get a stop for one part of in the 4th quarter, but like you said we kept fighting until the end. We got the shots at the end and we couldn't make it but we shouldn't put ourselves in those situations to be able to win this game. I think we made too many mistakes.'

What about Jose's shot selection in the last 20 seconds?

'Well the first one was not anything. The second one was off the rebound was kind of quick. The first one was a good look they kind of double teamed Dirk yeah but I couldn't make it so it happens sometimes.'

Jeremy Lin spoke more along the lines of divine intervention.

'Definitely blessed to more than lucky but we are happy that we were able to sneak away with the win.' Gushed Jeremy Lin on winning for the first time in eight tries at the AAC. 'We just seem to let come down to the wire here. The last time it was the same thing just a different result.'

A reference to a 123-120 game played in Dallas on November 20th right before Turkey Day. 

For Dirk Nowitzki he was quick to point out the meaning of team and victory.

“I always said numbers don’t mean anything in a loss. It really means nothing. We should have found a way to kind of win this one,” an unhappy Nowitzki said.

“The defense was horrible all night,” The All-Star continued. “I mean, every time down somebody was in the paint, laying the ball up or in transition, drives or pick-and-roll plays. I mean, if you give up 117 at the house, you’re going to lose.”

The Mavericks now fall to 26-21 with game three of their four game homestand later on Friday with the Sacramento Kings. A team with a 15-30 record which should spell a win for the local guys.

So far in 2013 nothing isa guarantee for the Dallas Mavericks. Each game, however is guaranteed to give you one heck of a thrill ride. Great to see Devin Harris getting more minutes since his surgery.

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will