JJ Barea had another big scoring night while German star Dirk Nowitzki and Wesley Matthews delivered the defensive gems when it mattered most as the Dallas Mavericks strengthened their playoff hopes.
Barea dropped in 10 of his 27 points in the final quarter, while Nowitzki made the game-saving strip on James Harden's drive in the closing seconds, and the Mavericks escaped with their fifth straight win, 88-86 over the visiting Rockets 88-86 on Thursday.
"I'm in a great rhythm now," said Barea, averaging 24 points during the five-game winning streak.
"Dirk made a big play at the end and we were able to hold them off.
"We're rolling right now and we don't care who we play," he continued. "We just have to get wins."
Matthews scored 16 points for the Mavericks (40-38), who remain the seventh spot in the Western Conference playoff scramble, one game ahead of idle Utah (39-39) and two up on the Rockets (38-40) with four remaining.
With both Texas teams battling for their playoff lives, Dallas were clinging to an 86-85 lead when Harden drove the middle for what appeared to be the go-ahead layup.
But Nowitzki, who finished with seven points on 2-8 shooting, slapped the ball out of his hands with 5.4 seconds left.
Devin Harris was fouled and made both free throws to make it a three-point game.
The Mavericks fouled Jason Terry with 2.6 seconds to go and the Rockets were without any timeouts.
He made the first toss, then, intentionally missed the second.
The rebound was tipped out to the free throw line where Matthews and Terry collided. Matthews ran down the ball along the sideline and punched it down court as time expired.
"Blood and guts the whole way," Carlisle added. "Matthews made the best save and deflection I've ever seen."
Elsewhere:
- Portland Trail Blazers 120, Oklahoma City Thunder 115: Al-Farouq Aminu scored 27 points, CJ McCollum added 26 and the Trail Blazers (43-37) clinched a third straight Western Conference playoff berth after beating the short-handed Thunder.
Turkish native Enes Kanter had a career-high 33 points and 20 rebounds for the West third-seed Thunder (54-25), who rested All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
- LA Clippers 91, LA Lakers 81: DeAndre Jordan had 15 points with 11 rebounds, JJ Redick also scored 15, and the Clippers (50-28) - the number four playoff seed in the West - beat their Staples Center co-tenants for the 11th straight time.
Kobe Bryant tossed in 17 points for the 16-time NBA Champ Lakers (16-62), who set a franchise record for most losses in a season.
- Indiana Pacers 123, Cleveland Cavaliers 109: Paul George scored 29 points, CJ Miles added 21, and the Pacers took advantage of rested LeBron James to beat the visiting Cavaliers.
Indiana (42-36) remain in the seventh playoff spot in the East, a half game ahead of Detroit (42-37).
Kyrie Irving led East top-seed Cleveland (56-23) with 26 points and Kevin Love added 23.
Detroit, Boston, Charlotte and Washington also enjoyed wins.
Share
