|
Mavericks dump Cavs to secure postseason berth
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-03-31 14:25
Dirk Nowitzki poured in 35 points and grabbed 18 rebounds and Steve Nash
scored a season-high 31 as the Mavericks thrashed the slumping Cleveland
Cavaliers 126-109 in Dallas on Tuesday.
Milwaukee Bucks
forward Desmond Mason (L) loses control of his dribble, and turns the ball
over to Indiana Pacers forward Al Harrington in the first quarter at the
Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 30, 2004.
[Reuters] | Cleveland has now dropped six of its
last seven games to fall two games behind the surging Boston Celtics in the
battle for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff berth.
With the win, the Mavericks clinched their fourth consecutive postseason
appearance.
Cleveland broke fast, seemingly unaffected by Monday's setback in San
Antonio, taking the initial quarter 32-28.
Carlos Boozer led the way for the visitors, racking up 12 points and grabbing
10 rebounds before the period was done.
He finished with 23 points and a whopping 20 boards.
Rookie sensation LeBron James chipped in with 10 quick points, getting a rise
from fans with a forceful jam midway through the quarter.
He wound up with 28 points.
The Cavaliers trailed by four at the break (64-60), then surged again in the
third period.
They led 73-71 midway through the third before the Mavericks went on an 8-0
run to take command.
Rookie Josh Howard, a first-round pick in 2003, had a big part to play for
Dallas, notching 19 points in 38 minutes.
Undrafted Marquis Daniels kicked in with 17 more.
In Milwaukee, Joe Smith scored 25 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to carry
the Milwaukee Bucks to a 95-86 victory over Indiana, snapping the NBA-leading
Pacers' four-game win streak.
In Philadelphia, the 76ers hardly missed former MVP Allen Iverson, Samuel
Dalembert notching 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in a 95-71 romp over
Golden State that snapped the Warriors' seven-game run of victories.
In Denver, rookie Carmelo Anthony racked up a career-high 41 points as the
Nuggets outlasted the Seattle SuperSonics 124-119, their first win in three
outings.
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top Sports
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
