Mavericks Shoot Down Grizzlies
The Dallas Mavericks played aggressive A.C. Green-style basketball Saturday night to celebrate his record 1,000th consecutive NBA game
Hubert Davis hit four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to lead the defensive-minded Mavericks to a 91-74 victory and then gave the game ball to Green.
Officials of the Mavericks gave Green an honorary game ball and the jokester gift of a cane in a ceremony shortly before the tipoff.
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Green, who scored 11 points, became the NBA's career iron man when he played his 907th consecutive game on Nov. 20 against Golden State, passing Randy Smith. Green last missed a game on Nov. 18, 1986 with the Lakers at Dallas.
"In our league for A.C. to do what he has done is like going to the moon and back," said Dallas coach Don Nelson. "It's a record that never will be beaten, at least not in his lifetime. And he's still as good as he was 10 years ago."
The 35-year-old Green had three steals and six rebounds as he played 38 minutes.
"I'm not a super man, I just have a heart that loves to play basketball," said Green, who wouldn't allow interviews before the game. "The streak is a nice honor for me and the team."
"It was great to do it in a game we won. I've always tried to show up and work hard every day. This was a fun day and a fun game for me."
It wasn't bad for Davis, either.
"I just got in a streak where I felt I couldn't miss," he said. "It was good to win this game particularly because of A.C.'s night."
Vancouver, which has lost 11 straight games after going 3-3 to start the season, whittled a 20-point deficit down to 54-51 in the third period. But Dallas extended the advantage to 62-55 entering the fourth.
Davis scored 12 of his 14 points in the fourth period to decide the game. Michael Finley had 21 points and Gary Trent adde16.
Felipe Lopez scored a career-high 21 points for Vancouver, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim also had 21. Mike Bibby added 11 points for the Grizzlies.
"I'm very disappointed the way we came out and played," Hill said. "We didn't get near anybody defensively. But we rallied and got it down to a three-point game before Davis hurt us. He broke the game open."
Vancouver went 7:42 without a point as Dallas built a 28-10 lead before Abdur-Rahim scored on a dunk. The Grizzlies hit only five of their first 27 shots.
Dallas was ahead 41-24 at halftime. Vancouver's total was the fourth-lowest for a half in NBA history and it was the lowest for a Mavericks opponent. The previous was 30 by Indiana against Dallas in 1998.
Dallas guard Robert Pack suffered a partial tear of his right hamstring in the second period, and it will be determined on Monday how much of the season he will miss.
NOTES: Since beating the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 23, Vancouver is 0-11. ... The floor of Reunion Arena caused some concerns again shortly before tipoff. Last Tuesday the Mavs' game against Phoenix was delayed 70 minutes because of slick spots. It was only a five-minute delay Saturday night. ... Vancouver beat Dallas 96-92 at home in February behind 26 points from Sam Mack, who has been traded to Houston.
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