The Mavericks needed just one basket to finish a stunning victory a New Orleans. A Jason Kidd steal off a turnover gave them the chance. They threw the ball into their All-Star superstar. But in the fleeting seconds, Dirk Nowitzki lost his grip on the ball, and it was all over.
After trying valiantly to come back, the Mavericks lost 99-97 to the Hornets on Wednesday night in the second of back-to-back home and road contests between the Southwest Division rivals. The Mavericks won 98-95 on Monday in Dallas.
But things didn’t just unravel in the final seconds.
The third quarter by far was one of the Mavs’ worst efforts all season, both defensively and offensively. For the first seven minutes of the second half, the Hornets pummeled the Mavs, outscoring them 20-5. What was thought to be a fairly comfortable 52-42 halftime lead suddenly morphed into a 62-57 advantage for New Orleans, thanks to sparkling shooting and lackluster defending. Despite eventually scoring 17 points, the Hornets bucketed 33 and finished the quarter ahead by six, 75-69.
Of 58 quarters this quarter, the third quarter marked the first time that the Mavs allowed more than 30 points.
Nowitzki had 29 points and nine rebounds despite sitting at times due to two fouls in the first and third quarters.
The Mavs return home to meet the Chicago Bulls on Friday.
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