The Mavericks came into the game the NBA's best free throw shooting team, but would not leave with the distinction. With 32.7 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard went on to combine for three critical missed free throws. Probably more costly was the dumb foul Josh Howard committed on Steve Nash's three point attempt with 14.4 seconds left. The missed free throws and silly foul let Phoenix back into the game which after two overtime sessions they eventually won. The Mavs loss in double OT also let Phoenix back into the fight for the best record in the Western Conference and home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
While the Mavs surely disappointed, the game itself did not. These two NBA heavyweights traded blows back and forth in one of the more entertaining games this season. The 1st quarter belonged to the Suns. They took advantage of Dallas' porous defense for easy baskets and a ridiculous 22-4 edge in points in the paint. The Mavs got their wheels back on in the 2nd quarter and started attacking the rim. They took control of the quarter and closed the half with a Jason Terry to Jerry Stackhouse alley oop. It was a nice play and gave you the feeling maybe the 60-53 deficit wasn't so terrible.
The Mavs backed up my suspicions with an outstanding 3rd quarter. They managed to hold Phoenix to just 16 points while tallying a season high 38 points themselves in the third. It was really beautiful to watch the way they defended and operated in the open floor. Avery must have noticed a tendency on the Suns pick & roll because he had the Mavs sagging off Nash and back onto the screener. They jumped the passing lane and 2 or 3 times it produced a steal. The Mavs really moved the ball well and found the open man. They closed the 3rd quarter up 91-76, but you knew it wasn't a safe lead. The Suns opened the 4th quarter by converting 10 of their first 11 shots. I couldn't of been the only MFFL out there suffering from flashbacks of the 2004-05 Western Conference semi-finals everytime Amare Stoudemire threw down a monstrous dunk. Dallas was answering Phoenix every step of the way and as the game was drawing to a close it looked like the Suns were going to run out of time. Of course, missed free throws and a senseless foul from Howard gave Steve Nash and the Suns all the life they needed. Nash tied the game at 111-111 with a second chance 3 from the right wing and only seconds remaining in the fourth. Dirk was unable to redeem himself with a last second game winner the way he had the last time these two teams met at the AAC back on Dec. 28th.
Phoenix rode Stoudemire in both overtime periods. Jason Terry provided some brief hope with a clutch three as time was expiring for the Mavericks in the first overtime. In the end, it was just too much Stoudemire and too much Nash. Pause for concern definitely has to be generated by the 41 points Amare Stoudemire scored off of 16 for 19 shooting from the field. Before I send too many Mavs fans jumping completely overboard here's a fun fact. As these two teams look destined to face each other in a rematch of the Western Conference finals. I draw comfort from the Mavs record against Phoenix in their last 7 regular season meetings.... 4-3
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