Mavs Beat Pacers In Double OT
Michael Finley hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer as the Dallas Mavericks snapped a 22-game road losing streak by defeating the Indiana Pacers 85-82 in double overtime Friday night.
Finley, who scored 32 points, snapped an 0-for-8 slump from the field before hitting the game-winning shot.
Earlier, the teams set records for scoring futility as Indiana built a 34-24 halftime lead. That tied the NBA record for the fewest points scored in a half, set on Jan. 15, 1955 when Syracuse played Fort Wayne at Buffalo, N.Y.
The 24 points were the fewest allowed by the Pacers in a first half, topping the mark of 25 set by Detroit on Nov. 8, 1989. The Mavericks tied their franchise record for fewest points in a half.
Reggie Miller, who had 12 points, missed shots at the end of regulation and the first overtime after the Pacers squandered a 16-point first-quarter lead.
The winning basket was set up when Indiana had the ball with 7.9 seconds left in the second overtime, but turned the ball over for the 22nd time when it was called for an illegal pick out of bounds.
The Pacers led 73-69 following a jumper by Miller with 17.1 seconds left in regulation. Hubert Davis, who scored 16, cut the deficit to two with 12.5 remaining. Derrick McKey then hit one of two free throws for Indiana with 7.1 seconds to go.
Finley, who was 13-for-36, was then fouled attempting a 3-pointer with 3.5 seconds to go. He missed the first, made the second free throw and then deliberately missed the third attempt.
Shawn Bradley, who had 13 rebounds, got the offensive rebound and tied the game with a layup with 2.2 seconds left. Miller got an open jumper at the buzzer that missed.
Each team scored four points in the first overtime. Finley missed an 18-footer with 7.7 seconds left in the second overtime with his team leading 82-81. Rik Smits then got around Bradley underneath, but his layup rolled off the rim.
One of two free throws tied the game at 82 with 1:02 left in the period, which ended with another Miller miss just before the buzzer.
Notes: Indiana lost despite outrebounding Dallas 61-57. The Pacers shot only 36 percent. ... It was the first double overtime for both teams this season. ... Finley's 36 field goal attempts was a season-high for the Mavericks, whose last victory on the road was on Nov. 1 at Seattle. ... The victory snapped a six-game losing streak at Market Square Arena for the Mavericks.
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