Nowitzki, Terry fuel Mavericks' rally against Thunder

By Dave Ivey, for NBA.com
Posted Saturday January 16, 2010 1:00AM

DALLAS (NBA.com exclusive) -- Kevin Durant finally put some big numbers on the board against the Mavericks on Friday night. Unfortunately, one of those numbers was eight, as in eight turnovers, which matched a career high and contributed to the Thunder's 99-98 loss.

Dallas scored 22 points off 18 turnovers, including 16 points off 11 second-half miscues, and overcame an 11-point deficit to snap its two-game home losing streak. The Mavericks have won nine consecutive meetings at home and 17 of the last 19 overall in this series. They also improved to 11-2 in games after a loss, the best record in the NBA.

Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry combined for 16 of the last 18 points scored by the Mavericks during the final six minutes, a stretch that featured four ties and three lead changes. Nowitzki's baseline 16-footer with 48.9 seconds left put Dallas ahead 95-93 and his jumper over Jeff Green from the top of the key with 6.9 seconds remaining made it 99-96. After two made free throws by Durant and two missed free throws by Terry, Russell Westbrook missed a halfcourt heave at the buzzer.

"I thought we fought hard all night. They made their runs and we made ours and it came down to the last second," Durant said. "They happened to come out on top. We're going to find a way to win those games, I can guarantee you that."

Coming off lackluster home losses to the Jazz and Lakers, Dallas played more aggressively on both ends of the court. The Mavericks' last five opponents had averaged 107.6 points and shot 53.1 percent, but they held Oklahoma City to 42.0 percent (35.9 percent in the second half). They attacked the basket with mixed results, committing 10 turnovers in the first half but none in the third period (14 total). Dallas also set season highs for free throws made (33) and attempted (39).

"We were taking charges and we were active and getting deflections all over the place," Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said. "We shot 44 percent, which is not good, especially at home, but we need to find ways to win these games with our defense and we did that in the second half."

Nowitzki had a game-high 32 points and Terry finished with 21 points and five assists. Jason Kidd posted his 11th double-double with 11 points, 11 assists and four steals. He was 2-for-5 from 3-point range and tied Glen Rice for fifth place in league history with 1,559 career 3-pointers.

Durant had his highest-scoring game ever against the Mavericks with 30 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. He was 4-for-5 from 3-point distance and 14-for-16 at the line, but just 2-for-13 on shots inside the arc. His eight turnovers matched a career high set Dec. 14, 2007 at Minnesota. Give Shawn Marion and Josh Howard credit for some tough defense.

"We made him work for everything," Nowitzki said. "He didn't shoot at a great percentage and that is what you have to do with great players. You have to get up on them and make them shoot the tough shots and then rebound the ball."

Durant starred at Texas, earning consensus national Player of the Year honors as a freshman in 2006-07 with 25.8 points and 11.1 boards per game, but he has struggled against Dallas. He entered Friday's game averaging 13.7 points on 34.7 percent shooting in seven previous meetings (1-6 record), by far his lowest marks against any opponent. His career high against the Mavericks was 22 and his career low is six (twice). He was 4-for-18 and equaled his season low with 12 points in last month's 100-86 loss to the Mavs in Oklahoma City.

Durant scored 10 in the fourth quarter this time around, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 2:58 left and a three-point play with 28.1 seconds remaining that trimmed the deficit to 97-96.

"He has savvy beyond his years," Carlisle said. "A talented guy that can do phenomenal things."

Westbrook added 18 points and six assists and Nick Collison recorded a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Thunder led throughout the first half, taking their largest lead at 42-31 on rookie James Harden's 3-pointer. The Mavericks cut the margin to 55-48 at halftime, with Terry and Nowitzki scoring 19 of the team's last 21 points before intermission. Oklahoma City had been 15-5 when leading at the break this season and 17-3 when allowing fewer than 100 points.

"We're close, but we just need to continue to keep battling and getting better," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said. "We had some stretches there in the early fourth quarter that wasn't good basketball, but you can't play perfect basketball. Our effort has been perfect and I'm proud of them."

• Thunder: Harpring, Weaver, White
• Mavericks: Carroll, Thomas

• Thunder: --
• Mavericks: Carlisle

• Lead Changes: 5
• Times Tied: 6

• Arena: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
• Officials: #15 Bennett Salvatore, #46 Matt Boland, #76 Josh Tiven
• Attendance: 20064
• Duration: 2:29