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Nowitzki scores 31 to lead Mavericks by Rockets
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-16 13:50
The more-balanced Mavs, meanwhile, easily picked apart Houston's
slow-reacting defense and pushed the lead to 15 early in the second.
Yao had 27 points and 11 rebounds in the first half — his 25th double-double
of the season — despite constant double-teams by the Mavs' defenders. He hit
eight of 10 shots and went 11-for-14 from the free throw line in the first half;
the rest of his team shot 7-for-20 from the field and Dallas led 57-45 at
halftime.
The Mavs shot 59.5 percent in the first half and hardly cooled off in the
third quarter, going 9-of-16 (56 percent). They also found a way to throw off
Yao, who had only one basket in the quarter and started the fourth on the bench.
Yao came back with 10:23 left and converted a three-point play during a 9-0
run that trimmed the Mavs' lead to seven.
Alston, left open most of the game when the Mavs doubled Yao, sank two
3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Rockets pulled within 83-77.
Baskets by Marquis Daniels and Nowitzki pushed the lead back to 10 and the
Rockets never threatened again.
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