Close Shave: Mavs Survive Knicks: 105-103 Win Sets Franchise Record for Dallas

Mar 31, 02:10 AM

Current Headlines: By Eddie Sefko, The Dallas Morning News

Mar. 31--The tissue paper part of the Mavericks' season -- known as the Eastern Conference portion -- is officially over.

Good thing, because they would have had a tough time fighting their way out of a wet paper bag Friday night. The Mavs had to claw and fight and get big late-game plays from their all stars to slog out a 105-103 victory over the New York Knicks at American Airlines Center.

Their ninth straight win finished off their season against the East with a 27-3 record, topping the previous franchise best against the East (26-4 in 2002-03).

"This is what I envisioned for this team: Can you have a 38-percent shooting night and still win?" coach Avery Johnson said. "How can you turn a bad shooting night into a win?

"This could very well be a playoff type of situation where teams are sitting on your plays and you're not at your best. But can you still find a way to win?"

Obviously, the Mavericks can. On a foul-plagued night, they were outrebounded badly, gave up twice as many points in the paint as they scored and nearly three times as many fast-break points.

And they still won.

Dirk Nowitzki hit a pair of crucial jump shots in the final two minutes, then made four free throws as he scored 17 fourth quarter points.

Then, on New York's final possession, Josh Howard squelched any chance as he blocked an 8-foot running jumper by Stephon Marbury with 2.9 seconds left. Marbury had torched the Mavericks with a season-best 43 points.

A franchise record for victories has been inevitable for weeks. The Mavericks notched that with their 61st win of the season. They also sliced their magic number for No. 1 seed in the playoffs to four.

"It's fun to set a franchise record," said Devin Harris. "It's definitely a goal within our ultimate goal. And it [the season] has gone by so fast. Time flies when you're winning."

Any fears the Mavs had about Nowitzki and Howard and their ankle problems were quieted in the fourth quarter. Nowitzki was money in the clutch and Howard played his usual all-around game.

It was Nowitzki who pulled the Mavericks out of the quagmire of a miserable offensive night. They had missed 14 of 15 shots to start the third quarter and were 2-of-19 for the period.

"In the third quarter, we really had nothing going," said Nowitzki, who surpassed 15,000 points for his career with his first point and ended with 30. "I thought in the fourth quarter, I've got to stay in attack mode and make stuff happen."

Nowitzki hit consecutive jumpers over tight New York defense to put the Mavericks up 100-98 with 1:32 to play. The Knicks went to Marbury, who had blistered the Mavs most of the night. Harris was playing sticky defense, but was called for a tough foul as Marbury's three-point play gave the Knicks (31-41) the lead.

Nowitzki went to work, however, and his four free throws in the final 1:05 bailed out the Mavs.

After the second set put the Mavericks up 104-103, Terry stepped in front of a lazy pass by Marbury and was fouled after the steal. He hit just one of two free throws. But Howard rejected Marbury's last try.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Dallas Morning News

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