The fourth quarter often decides winners and losers. As two 30-win teams, both the Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks know how to get it done.
But on Saturday when the squads met at the American Airlines Center, one had to lose. By holding the offensively-minded Hawks to just 13 points in the last 12 minutes, the Mavs sent a message that it wasn’t going to be them. Enough with the seesaw of 14 ties and 10 lead changes.
Brendan Haywood scored seven of his 10 points in the fourth quarter. It was a big night for him as he tied his season high in scoring while going six of nine at the line when it counted. Haywood has shot below 30 percent from the line this season.
Haywood’s free throws game at key junctures in the contest, including a 3-point play at the end of the first quarter. With 10:24 minutes to go and the game tied at 79, he converted both free throws and started a 12-0 run for the Mavericks spanning more than four minutes. He would see yet another free throw into the basket at 84-79. The Mavs run ended on a Mike Bibby 3 with 6:35 left on the clock. Haywood’s line heroics would again cushion the Mavs with a 10-point lead following Bibby’s shot.
No Maverick scored more than 19, but everyone who played contributed points as only J.J. Barea and Sasha Pavlovic did not reach double digits in scoring. Reports indicate that the team will not sign Pavlovic after his second 10-contract expires despite having started the last six games.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 19 on 8 of 11 shooting, his best night since returning from a nine-game absence with a sprained knee. Jason Terry notched his first double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 assists against his former team.
Joe Johnson led the Hawks with 27 points in 41:44 minutes.
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