Mavericks comeback falls short as Spurs pull even in Midwest race
Associated Press

DALLAS — It looks like the Midwest Division is going to be decided like a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks — at the last possible second.

Tony Parker hit a long jumper with 25.4 seconds left, then it took five free throws in the final 14.5 seconds for San Antonio to hold off Dallas 105-102

Thursday night, giving the Spurs their 11th straight victory and tying the Mavericks for the division lead.

Tim Duncan scored the final two of his 32 points from the foul line with 1.3 seconds left. On Dallas' last-gasp effort, Steve Nash caught a pass beyond midcourt but was only able to hurl the ball into the lane because of tight pressure from Malik Rose.

Rose threw up his arms in victory and smiled toward coach Gregg Popovich, while Nash — who had 28 points and was the catalyst of a third-quarter rally — walked away with his hands on his hips.

This was the third meeting of the season between the Interstate 35 rivals and all have been decided in the closing seconds, each time by the road team. Each game helps build intensity in a rivalry that started heating up in last season's playoffs, when San Antonio knocked Dallas out of the second round in five games.

Parker, a rookie, screamed with joy after his shot from the left wing put the Spurs up 100-96, but Dirk Nowitzki hit two free throws with 20.9 seconds left to get the Mavericks within two. A free throw by Greg Buckner with 19.8 left made it 100-99.

But Buckner missed his second shot and wound up fouling Danny Ferry. His two free throws with 14.5 seconds left put the Spurs up by three.

Nick Van Exel, starting for the first time for Dallas, tried tying the game but badly missed a 3-pointer. He went 1-for-12 in 39 minutes, missing all five 3-point attempts.

A free throw by Rose put San Antonio up 103-99, then Michael Finley nailed a 3-pointer to make it 103-102 with 1.3 seconds left. Finley had 21 points and was 4-of-5 on 3-pointers.

Duncan scored 53 points in the first meeting this season, but it was a 3-pointer by Nash with 0.6 seconds left in overtime that gave the Mavericks the victory. The Spurs won the second meeting on two free throws by Terry Porter with 5.1 seconds left. They meet for the final time April 6 at the Alamodome.

Both teams were coming off lopsided victories over the Los Angeles Lakers. San Antonio seemed to pick up where it left off better, leading by as many as 13.

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