A night to remember for the Mavericks
On the night Avery Johnson moved into the NBA record book, the Dallas Mavericks made their defense-oriented coach proud with a little history of their own.
The injury-depleted Mavs erased a 19-point third-quarter deficit by holding the Cleveland Cavaliers to only eight points – the fewest they’ve allowed in any quarter – and kept rallying for a 91-87 victory Tuesday night in Dallas, giving Johnson his record 66th victory over his first 82 games in charge.
Dirk Nowitzki and Marquis Daniels combined for 20 points during Dallas’ 29-4 run from the opening minutes of the third quarter to the start of the fourth, putting the Mavericks up by six. Even after Cleveland’s LeBron James, who had 36 points and 12 rebounds, hit a long jumper, Nowitzki answered with a 3-pointer that stretched the lead and got the crowd back on its feet.
The Cavaliers never regained the lead after Dallas’ big rally, although they were within 86-84 after a basket by James with 15 seconds left. The Mavs held them off by making 5 of 6 foul shots the rest of the way.
Nowitzki finished with 30 points.
Johnson was guaranteed of having the most victories of any coach after the equivalent of a full season regardless of the result. The previous mark was 62 by Paul Westphal.
Spurs 96, Hornets 81: Tony Parker had 20 points and 11 assists, Brent Barry made four 3-pointers and all six shots from the floor, and the Spurs beat New Orleans in San Antonio.
Bulls 95, Trail Blazers 66: Ben Gordon scored 23 points, and the Bulls used their best defensive effort of the season to beat Portland in Chicago.
Heat 121, Jazz 83: Dwyane Wade scored 19 of his 25 points in the first quarter as Miami built a huge early lead and rolled past the visiting Utah, the Heat’s 12th win in 13 games.
Raptors 111, 76ers 97: Chris Bosh scored 31 points and Darrick Martin had a season-high 18 points and 12 assists, leading Toronto to a win in Philadelphia.
Wizards 119, Bobcats 114: Antawn Jamison had 35 points and 16 rebounds to lead Washington to a victory over the Bobcats in Charlotte, N.C.
Grizzlies 93, Celtics 76: Jake Tsakalidis scored a season-high 19 points and matched his career high with 16 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies over Boston in Memphis, Tenn.
Kings 114, Lakers 98: Ron Artest scored 28, Mike Bibby chipped in with 20 points and the Kings rolled to their 13th straight home victory, beating Los Angeles and moving past the Lakers into seventh place in the Western Conference.
Okafor’s season ends
Charlotte Bobcats forward Emeka Okafor will miss the rest of the season because of an ankle injury that has already cost him 36 games.