The Dallas Mavericks rallied in the fourth quarter to force overtime before extending their winning streak to a season-high six games with a 111-103 road victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Dallas (38-21) scored the first seven points in the extra period and outscored Atlanta 12-4 in overtime, including five by Dirk Nowitzki, who put the game out of reach with a three-pointer with 66 seconds remaining among his game-high 37 points.
Jason Kidd recorded a triple-double to pace the Mavericks, scoring 19 points along with 16 rebounds and 17 assists.
PHOTO: REUTERS
It was Kidd’s first triple-double of the season and the 104th of his career, which leaves him third on the all-time list behind Oscar Robertson with 181 and Magic Johnson with 138.
Trailing 97-95 with 1:37 left in the fourth quarter, Kidd brushed against Hawks assistant coach Mike Woodson on the playing court, which, after discussion by the officials, led to Woodson being called for a technical foul for interfering with the play.
Nowitzki hit the free throw to cut the lead to one on the unusual, albeit pivotal, play.
“He made a heck of a play,” Woodson told reporters. “Jason Kidd is an All-Star, a Hall of Fame guard, and he’s had a hell of a career. He did what he had to do. I’ve got to take the hit on that. I shouldn’t have been on the floor.”
The Hawks flew out of the blocks building an 18-13 lead only to trail 29-19 at the end of the first quarter after missing eight consecutive attempts.
Atlanta found their range again, connecting on five consecutive three-point attempts in the second quarter to retake the lead before heading into the half tied at 50.
The Hawks (36-21) rallied late in the fourth quarter and a layup by Joe Johnson with 32 seconds left forced overtime.
The Mavericks, however, were not to be denied, with Shawn Marion scoring 14 points in the absence of teammate Caron Butler, who missed his second consecutive game because of a negative reaction to medicine.
CAVALIERS 126, RAPTORS 103
Mo Williams’ back-to-back three-pointers in overtime helped lift Cleveland to a victory over Toronto.
Williams finished with 22 points and LeBron James scored 36 for the Cavaliers, who got 22 points from Antawn Jamison and 15 from Delonte West as they notched their third straight victory.
Anderson Varejao, starting in place of injured Shaquille O’Neal, had 11 points and eight rebounds before fouling out with 2:12 left in the fourth quarter.
O’Neal sprained his right thumb in the Cavaliers’ victory at Boston on Thursday and is scheduled to have an MRI exam on Saturday.
Jarrett Jack and Andrea Bargnani each scored 24 points for the Raptors, while Hedo Turkoglu had 18 before fouling out in overtime.
Chris Bosh missed his fourth straight game for Toronto with a left ankle injury.
Turkoglu had the chance to win it, but missed a three-pointer before Cleveland’s Anthony Parker missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have sent the contest to overtime.
In other NBA action, it was:
● Hornets 100, Magic 93
● Lakers 99, 76ers 90
● Bulls 115, Trail Blazers 111, OT
● Suns 125, Clippers 112
● Rockets 109, Spurs 104
● Nuggets 107, Pistons 102
● Bobcats 93, Grizzlies 89
Kings 103, Jazz 99
● Thunder 109, Timberwolves 92
● Knicks 118, Wizards 116, OT
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