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Title: Mavericks vs Timberwolves Game Recap 11/13/09 View count: 2460 Rating: 5.0 (2 ratings) Description: MINNEAPOLIS (NBA.com exclusive) -- Dirk Nowitzki needed only 29 minutes to score a game-high 20 points as Dallas defeated Minnesota 89-77 Friday night at the Target Center. With their victory tonight, Dallas has now defeated Minnesota in 13 straight games, which matches San Antonio's streak against New Jersey for the longest active streak of dominance. Dallas improved their record to 6-3 while Minnesota dropped to 1-9. The focus on defense by Dallas paid dividends as Minnesota was held to 32.6% shooting. "We did a nice job defensively," said Dallas coach Rick Carlisle. "I know that they are missing some key guys, but in terms of coverages, execution, and stuff we did a solid job." Minnesota was playing without the benefit of their leading scorer, Al Jefferson, who was in Florida following the death of his grandmother. Jefferson will also miss Saturday's game in Memphis. Thanks to poor shooting early by Dallas, Minnesota kept the score close. At 5:18 in the second quarter the score was tied 31-31. Dallas, however, closed the quarter with a 13-2 run and went into the half with a 44-32 lead. Tempers grew short in the third quarter as Nowitzki and Minnesota center Ryan Hollins received double-technicals at 7:48. Hollins was ejected from the game three minutes later after receiving his second technical after a hard foul by Drew Gooden. Nowitzki quieted the hostile Minnesota crowd with eight points in less than three minutes, part of a 16-5 Dallas run which gave them a comfortable 73-54 margin. "He had been struggling," said Carlisle. "I was considering getting him out and then getting him back in, but then he hit a shot and we rolled with him. Then he got it going and hit three or four, which was big. That was a key stretch for us." "It was good to get back in the winning way after a disappointing loss to San Antonio," said Jason Kidd. On Thursday, Dallas 92-83 to a San Antonio Spurs team playing without Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. "You can't look past a team like this," said Shawn Marion. "They are a feisty young team. They go out and play hard. ... We prepared for this team, we were just missing shots in the first quarter." The 12-point loss for the Timberwolves was their best performance since a two-point loss to Kevin Garnett's Boston Celtics on November 4th. In their last four games, Minnesota has lost by 23, 41, 23, and 15 points. Minnesota's rookie point guard Jonny Flynn was the leading scorer for Minnesota. His 11 points marked the 10th time in as many games as a pro that he's scored in double figures. Tags: mavericks, timbervolves, highlights, nbarecap, recap, 11/13/09, Author: NBARECAP |
