Dirk Nowitzki entered the game chasing history.
Nowitzki needed just 11 points to pass Larry Bird for 25th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. In his 948th career game, Nowitzki accumulated eight points in the first quarter, leaving everyone thinking the magic shot (no pun intended) could happen any minute. But Nowitzki struggled shooting on the night, going just 4 for 13. Nowitzki surprising went scoreless for the next two quarters, and with anxiety quietly building on the TV broadcast, he hit his only three of the night 42 seconds into the fourth quarter to move ahead of Bird on the all-time scoring list.
The Big German finished the game with 17 points and sits at a career total of 21,798 – only 15 points away from Gary Payton. All four of Nowitzki’s starting counterparts – Caron Butler. Tyson Chandler, DeShawn Stevenson and Jason Kidd – also completed the Mavs final contest before Christmas in double figures. Butler netted four 3’s and 20 points. Stevenson was 3 for 4 from long range with 11 points, while Jason Kidd made three 3’s on eight attempts as part of 13 points.
Chandler put on a mega offensive show with six dunks, including three in a span of 1:10 in the second quarter.
The Mavs made 12 3’s and the Magic had 11.
The Mavs, now 23-5 overall and 10-1 on the road, have a gift-wrapped five-day break for Christmas and do not play again until December 27. Another present would be to continue this quality of play after the break.
Note: Dwight Howard, the Magic center, finished the game with 26 points and 23 rebounds.
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