Mavericks 132 Bulls 129 (20T): Game 19 Recap

The Lead
In the best game of the year, Monta has it all and the Mavs finally pull it out after 58 exhilarating and exhausting minutes.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Ellis, 38
Rebounds: Chandler, 14
Assists: Nowitzki, 10
+-: Nowitzki, +18
Bulls
Points: Gasol, 29
Rebounds: Gasol, Noah, 14
Assists: Rose, 10
+-: Dunleavy,+7

Game Ball
Monta Ellis
38 points, 16-35 FG, 5-5 FT

X-Factor
Devin Harris
20 points, 8 assists, 6-6 3PT

Goat Horns
Kirk Hinrich
Fouled Ellis on a three with 1.2 seconds to left that sent the game to OT after Monta made all 3 free throws. 

Play of the Game
With 40 seconds left in double OT and the shot clock running down, Monta hits a three from well behind the line to put the Mavs up for good 130-129.

Stat of the Game
For the first time since 2011 the Mavs had four 20 point scorers in a game: Monta 38, Parsons 24, Dirk 22 and Harris 20.

Of Note

• Monta's 38 points were his Mavericks high as were his 35 shot attempts.
• Dirk's 10 assists gave him his third career double-digit assist game and the first that did not result in a triple-double.
• Both teams relied on a little bit of luck to extend the game. First there was the Hinrich foul that helped send the game to OT, then Derrick Rose banked in a one-handed runner three to send the game into a second overtime.
• The Mavs have now gone 20 games in a row with fewer turnovers than their opponents. The 02-03 Mavs had a streak of 33 games.
• After struggling from long distance recently the Mavs went 15-30 on threes led by Devin Harris' career-tying 6 makes without a miss.

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

Quotes of Note
"In my 17 years, it was one of the dumber fouls I've ever seen."
Dirk on Hinrich's foul.

"S---, they gave Allen Iverson an MVP for being half as efficient as Monta is."
Mark Cuban

They Tweeted It

Monta definitely one of the most underrated players in the league...
— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) December 3, 2014

Next Up
The Mavericks (14-5) look for a perfect 4-0 road trip against Jason Kidd and the much- improved Bucks (10-9), tomorrow at 7:00.