Mavericks at Lakers
THE STORY: The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a stunning comeback victory in the opener and look to take a 2-0 lead over the host Los Angeles Lakers when the Western Conference semifinals resume on Wednesday. Dallas trailed by 16 points early in the third quarter before rallying to pull out a 96-94 victory in Monday’s Game 1. The Mavericks scored nine of the last 11 points over the final 3 1/2 minutes and made the key plays down the stretch while the Lakers wilted under the weight of two costly turnovers. Dallas has notched two straight playoff road victories after winning just two of its previous 20 playoff road contests before closing out the first-round series in Portland. Los Angeles also lost its home opener in the first round against the New Orleans Hornets before rallying to win that series in six games.
TV: 10:30 p.m. TNT.
ABOUT THE LAKERS: Los Angeles uncharacteristically crumbled badly when Game 1 was on the line. Kobe Bryant turned the ball over with 20.9 seconds, Pau Gasol had the ball stolen by Jason Kidd with 3.1 seconds left and Bryant missed an open last-second 3-point basket. Bryant didn’t appear bothered by his inflamed ankle while scoring 36 points, but didn’t record a single assist for just the second time all season. Gasol had 15 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists and Lamar Odom had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Andrew Bynum (eight points) and Ron Artest (two) struggled and the Los Angeles bench was outplayed by the Mavericks.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS: Dallas is attempting to erase the label of playoff underachievers and certainly took a step in that direction with its Game 1 rally and play down the stretch. Dirk Nowitzki hit two go-ahead free throws with 19.5 seconds left and Kidd made the clutch steal as the Mavericks showed impressive poise on enemy soil. Nowitzki had 28 points and 14 rebounds, Jason Terry scored 15 points and Kidd had 11 assists and three steals. The Mavericks received 40 points from their bench with Terry and Peja Stojakovic (10 points) making the biggest impacts. Dallas hit nine 3-point baskets and committed just 11 turnovers.
WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Nowitzki’s 28-point game marked his seventh straight 20-point outing this postseason. Artest was just 1-of-8 shooting while scoring two points in the opener.
KEY STATISTIC: Los Angeles made just 5-of-19 attempts from 3-point range in Game 1. Bryant was 4-of-9; the rest of the Lakers were 1-for-10.
LAST WORD: “I’m highly concerned. This team can beat us. It’s clear. We just have to come in ready to play Game 2.” – Bryant after Dallas beat the Lakers in Monday’s Game 1.