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Hornets show toughness in win over Spurs
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-19 16:57
Dirk Nowitzki added 19 points, seven rebounds and a season-high four blocks
as the Mavs capped a long homestand by going 4-1, all against teams they were
expected to beat. Dallas has won eight of nine and is a game behind division
rival San Antonio for the best record in the Western Conference.
Wally Szczerbiak scored 28 points and Kevin Garnett added 20 points, 16
rebounds and five assists, but the Timberwolves still extended their longest
losing streak of the season to four.
Their previous three losses were by a combined five points and this looked
like it would be another tight one when they scored 32 points in the third
quarter and tied it at 70 early in the fourth. The rally must have sapped them,
though, as Dallas answered with an 11-3 run, then an 8-0 burst after Minnesota
again got within four.
Harris, who finished with 14 points and six assists, fed Adrian Griffin for
the basket that put the Mavericks ahead for good. Griffin had 10 points and
Keith Van Horn scored 13.
Troy Hudson scored 20 points for Minnesota.
This was the first of three games in 21 days featuring versatile big men
Nowitzki and Garnett.
They weren't matched up too often, but there was one memorable sequence in
the second quarter. Nowitzki, fresh off a big defensive stand, was wide open for
a 3-pointer on the left wing. Garnett raced at him, but Nowitzki got it off in
time and managed to draw a foul. Nowitzki backed away pumping his fist after
swishing the 3, then made the free throw for a rare four-point play.
The game started horribly, with the teams combining to miss their first nine
shots. The ninth was an airball by Minnesota's Michael Olowokandi on a
possession that began with coach Dwane Casey screaming, "Calm down."
Szczerbiak came through with the first field goal, 2:37 into the game. Both
clubs finished the first quarter 6-of-19. Only two of Dallas' baskets came in
the set offense, the rest coming on fast breaks.
It wasn't much better in the second quarter, with the Mavs starting 2-of-7
and the Wolves going 1-of-7. Minnesota wound up shooting 35 percent for 32
points at halftime. The only consolation for the Timberwolves was that it topped
their last game, when they had only 29 at halftime.
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