Trailing entering the fourth quarter the Mavs rode on the backs of a 37 year old who refuses to play like his age and a rookie who refuses to play like one, to a 106-96 victory of the Los Angels Clippers Tuesday night.
Dallas jumped on the Clippers early and carried a 62-48 lead into haltfime before the shocking 3rd quarter ejection of Dirk Nowitzki sucked the life out of the Mavs and they quickly fell behind. That is where Jason Kidd and Roddy Beaubois took over.
Kidd led the way on his 37th birthday contributing 26 points and 12 assists and showing no signs that age is catching up with him.
Beaubois gave the Mavericks a much needed boost of energy scoring 10 points and considerably changing the trajectory of the game.
Nowitzki's ejection was bizarre to say the least as was whistled for two quick technicals by referee Bill Kennedy after a miss push in the back by Drew Gooden. Kennedy needs to be reminded that people pay to watch players like Dirk play and not to see him officiate. One technical call would have been sufficient.
For the Clippers the big story was former Mav Gooden who had 26 points and 20 rebounds in the loss. Its too bad Washington couldn't have just bought him out so the Mavs could resign him.
The Mavs did acquire a lot in that trade however and Brendan Haywood, who was benched in favor of Erick Dampier showed how important he can be for this team by scoring 12 points, grabbing 10 boards and blocking four shots.
The win coupled with Denver's loss in New York puts the Mavs in a second place tie in the West with the Nuggets with two remaining games in Portland and Golden St. before next Monday's showdown with Denver at the AAC.
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