NBA roundup: Dallas Mavericks edge Chicago Bulls, 99-98, for third straight win
Wesley Matthews made a go-ahead three-pointer from the wing with 12 seconds left, and Dallas beat the host Chicago Bulls, 99-98, on Tuesday night for the Mavericks’ first three-game winning streak of the season.
Six players scored in double figures for the Mavericks, including all five starters. Harrison Barnes had 20 points, Seth Curry added 18 and Dirk Nowitzki finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
“We’ve been struggling, it’s been tough for 21/2 months, but guys kept hanging in and believing in each other,” Dallas Coach Rick Carlisle said.
Dallas trailed 98-96 after Jimmy Butler (24 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds) made a long jumper over Matthews with 23 seconds left, but Mavericks Coach Rick Carlisle decided against a timeout and Deron Williams drove into the lane before kicking out to Matthews for the three.
Chicago had one last chance, but Dwyane Wade missed a potential game-winning jumper from the corner on his 35th birthday as time expired. Wade’s fadeaway had given the Bulls a 94-90 lead with about 31/2 minutes left, but they were unable to close out Dallas.
at Miami 109, Houston 103: Goran Dragic had 21 points and eight assists, Wayne Ellington scored 18 off the bench and the Heat overcame James Harden’s 13th triple-double of the season. The Rockets’ Harden had 40 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a game that saw 19 ties and 15 lead changes before an 8-0 run midway through the fourth quarter put Miami up for good.
at San Antonio 122, Minnesota 114: Kawhi Leonard had 34 points — his fourth consecutive game of 30 or more — and the Spurs overcame the Timberwolves, whose 41 points in the second period were the most in a quarter by a San Antonio opponent this season. The Spurs were more active in the second half, holding the Timberwolves to 43 points. Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns had 27 points and 16 rebounds, and Ricky Rubio added 21 points and 14 assists. San Antonio’s Tony Parker collected his 6,500th career assist.
Toronto 119, at Brooklyn 109: DeMar DeRozan had 36 points and 11 rebounds, Cory Joseph scored a career-high 33 and the Raptors extended the Nets’ losing streak to 11 games. Toronto took a 92-85 lead into the fourth quarter and never looked back. Brook Lopez had 28 points for Brooklyn.
Denver 127, at Lakers 121
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