Mavs Get Win #50 in Memphis OT Thriller

I hate that I had to work tonight. But the bills still have to be paid, so there I was, sitting in my cubicle at 7:13pm with my headphones on when the Mavs tipped off versus the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum. Don't get me wrong; Chuck Cooperstein, the radio voice of the Mavs, is an excellent play by play announcer and explains the game clearly enough that I can visualize the court when I close my eyes. But nothing compares to actually being able to watch the game, be it live and in person or from the comfort of the sofa with my little MFFL Trystan cheerleading by my side. But alas, I was cursed with a work schedule that had me not making it home until 9:30, which was just about the time the game should have ended.

I listened intently all night long as the Mavericks made one sloppy play after another. We were down, we’d catch up, we’d fall back behind due to lack of energy, effort, focus or intensity – whatever you want to call it. So as I pulled into the driveway with about two minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Mavs down by only six, I still held out hope that we could win. (I’m one of those rare true blue fans who always thinks we can win, no matter how hopeless the situation.) Afraid of missing a crucial play if I tried to run inside and turn on the TV, I killed the engine and reclined in the seat, listening as Dirk nailed first one and then a second three to tie the game. I screamed and cheered and bumped the roof of the car with my fist in excitement. My niece heard me inside the house and quickly flipped the game on, so as soon as Memphis called timeout, I raced up the ramp and inside, not even stopping long enough for a “Hi, honey, I’m home” before flopping onto the edge of the sofa. This was definitely a game where the Mavericks, particularly Dirk, saved the best for last. Luckily, I was able to watch the final few minutes…the only part that really mattered, in the end.

Trystan sat on my lap and we yelled at the TV as the game headed into overtime. She was excited because it meant her bedtime was just extended by at least five more minutes; I was just excited that the Mavs still had a chance to pull out a victory they could definitely need down the stretch to better position themselves come playoff time. And for the final five minutes, the Mavericks didn’t disappoint. The game was too close for my comfort for the better part of the extra period, but in the end, my guys managed to steal one in Memphis. Sometimes, you just get lucky, and that’s essentially what happened for Dallas last night.

While the Mavs played respectable defense for the majority of the game, they were slow to start offensively in nearly every quarter. 1-of-8, 1-of-9, etc. Shooting that poorly, it’s amazing the Mavs were able to keep themselves in the game, especially coupled with the abnormally high number of turnovers (18) they suffered. They held the Grizzlies shooting to just 41%, and only 32% on three pointers. Dirk, Butler, and Kidd all had two steals apiece, and Jason Terry led the charge with a game high four steals. Caron Butler (11 points, 13 rebounds) and Jason Kidd (12 points, 10 rebounds) both posted double-doubles, but it was Jason Terry, who finished with a team high 29 points, that really helped the Mavericks remain within striking distance.

During the final eleven minutes of the game (including OT), it was again Dirk Nowitzki who came to the rescue, however. He started the charge by scoring back to back three pointers to tie the game and continued his suddenly stellar shooting into the extra period. After shooting only 3-of-16 by the midpoint of the fourth quarter, Dirk finished the game on fire, shooting 6-of-7, with 18 of his 28 total points coming during the last half of the fourth quarter and the overtime period. The Mavs held on to win it, 106-102, in overtime, their first win at Memphis in the last four tries.

As much as the Mavs might like to revel in their come from behind victory, there’s no time for celebration as they return home tonight to face the Orlando Magic and look to extend their win streak to four games. Although the Mavs remained in second place in the Western Conference with their victory, both Utah (1/2 GB) and Phoenix (1GB) won as well, keeping the pressure on Dallas to continue their winning ways.

Dad and I will again be in attendance at the AAC tonight. We’re planning on watching everything from the upper deck, but who knows what the night holds in store. I brought my camera and recharged the batteries…just in case.

GO MAVS!