Mavericks 106 Kings 98: Game 8 Recap

The Lead
Mavericks fight back after horrid start as Dirk becomes the NBA's top international scorer.

Box Score 

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Nowitzki, 23
Rebounds: Chandler, 11
Assists: Nelson, Harris, 5
+-: Ellis, +21
Kings
Points: Gay, 26
Rebounds: Cousins, 11
Assists: Gay, 8
+-: Cousins, +8

Game Ball
Dirk Nowitzki
23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 7-12 FG, 2-3 3PT, 7-8 FT

X-Factor
Tyson Chandler
14 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 5-8 FG, 4-5 FT

Goat Horns
Ryan Hollins
6 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 3 fouls, -9

Moment of the Game
On a jumper with 8:56 left in the fourth quarter Dirk passed Hakeem Olajuwon as the NBA's all-time international-born scorer. His 23 points gave him 26,953 career points good for ninth all-time.

Play of the Game
The Mavs execute a three-pass fast break with the ball never touching the ground late in the third quarter. Al-Farouq grabs the rebounds and then outlets to Monta Ellis who fires a pass cross-court to Devin Harris to lobs it up to Brandan Wright for a two-hand slam.

Stat of the Game
The Mavs comeback from 24 points down is tied for their third largest in team history. They were down 44-20 with 8:46 to go in the second quarter. They were also down 24-4 to start the game.

Of Note

•  The win was the 21st straight for the Mavs over the Kings at home, a streak that dates back to 2003.
• Tyson Chandler's 14 points and 11 rebounds gave him his third consecutive double-double and fourth in five games.
• Monta Ellis scored all 16 of his points in the second half.
• Chandler Parsons bounced back with 19 points and 5 made threes after going 2-20 in his last two games.
• Jameer Nelson left the game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. He is not excepted to miss any games going forward.
• Former Mav Darren Collison sat out for the Kings with a shoulder injury.

Mavs Grades
Nowitzki: A
Parsons: B+
Chandler: A
Ellis: B+
Nelson: C
Harris: A-
Wright: A-
Aminu: B+
Barea: B

Quote of Note
 "I can't say enough about how proud I am of him and the things he's been able to accomplish. He's the most humble player. He's an example for us all and every young player coming up of what hard work and dedication can do and the things you can accomplish in this league. He was a player that was almost [written] off early in his career, and there were a lot of people who thought that he would be able to play in this league. This organization believed in him and a few people around him believed in him. He continued to work and continued to believe in himself. You see where he is now."
Tyson on Dirk

They Tweeted It
 

Dirk Nowitzki now No. 9 on all-time scoring list. He has 1,487 career 3PM. All other 7-footers among top-50 scorers combined for 71 3PM.
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) November 12, 2014

Next Up
The homestand continues for the Mavs (5-3) as they take on the winless 76ers (0-7), Thurday at 7:30.