Knowing he was among the guys Spurs coach Gregg Popovich thought "played like dogs" in the opener, Richard Jefferson bounced back by scoring 17 of his 19 points in the first half to help San Antonio beat the Dallas Mavericks 102-88 in Game 2 on Wednesday night. The win ties their first-round series at a game apiece, with the next two games in the Alamo City. Jefferson matched the measly four points he had in Game 1 in like 45 seconds into the game. He was 7 of 9 by halftime, and was at his best during a 12-1 run late in the second quarter that broke the game open for good. He got it started with a fadeaway jumper and a finger roll, then added a reverse layup after the Mavs somehow lost track of him.
While Jefferson was the first-half star the second half belonged to Tim Duncan, scoring 17 of his 25 points in the half, often just in time to break up potential Mavs runs. The "Big Fundamental" also had a game-high 17 rebounds. Mavs All-Star Dirk Nowitzki went from a scorching hot performance in which he hardly missed in Game 1 to hardly making shots for an ice cold Game 2. The Spurs didn't even send multiple defenders at him; merely knowing they were creeping his way threw Nowitzki out of whack. He missed six of his first seven shots, and even missed a free throw after having made 88 in a row.
The Mavericks played their best only after they repaeatedly seemed to have buried themselves. Down 16-5 early, they got within one by the end of the quarter; down 80-60 late in the third quarter they scored 12 straight points; down 13 early in the fourth, they clawed to within five. However, they never led and have now given away home-court advantage. Game 3 is in San Antonio on Friday night, and the folks down there are probably looking forward to seeing, and booing, Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who heated up the rivalry in recent days by repeatedly saying, "I hate the Spurs."
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Dwight Howard and Vince Carter haven't played great but they have played good enough to win so far. Carter finished with 19 points, Howard scored 15 (both went 5 of 10 from the field) and the Magic took a 2-0 series lead with a 92-77 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. The Magic's star combo was less than stellar once again, but took over when it counted most. They combined for 21 second-half points to help Orlando build a 20-point lead and hold on late. Still, they'll have to be better if they want to compete for a title.
Charlotte is simply playing to steal at least one win. Stephen Jackson showed no effects from his hyperextended left knee in scoring 27 points, and Gerald Wallace had 15 points for the Bobcats. But their 21 turnovers are a big reason they're heading home still searching for the franchise's first playoff win. This one was one of the ugliest playoff basketball games you'll ever see. The Bobcats went more than eight minutes to start the game with only three points and had just one field goal with six turnovers during the stretch. The goods news for them: The Magic were almost as bad early.The first half was a turnoverfest for both teams, and nobody could consistently hit a shot. However, the Magic were 24-for-35 on free throws, while the Bobcats were 13-for-18, simply too large of a margin from the charity stripe.
The Magic put together the closest thing to a run in the first half, and they slowly went ahead 41-30 at the half on Ryan Anderson's 3-pointer. With Charlotte's 14 first-half turnovers, though, they should've been up more. Eventually, they would. Howard used a drop step, spun right and hammered home a rim-rocking dunk over Tyson Chandler that started a big Magic push. He had nine points in the first six minutes of the third before picking up his fourth foul, again relegating him to the bench. Then, Carter took the reins. Orlando's biggest offseason acquisition, Carter sliced his way through the lane for several layups late in the third quarter. He anchored a run that put the Magic ahead 75-55 after three quarters with their entire bench standing, waving towels, shouting and smiling as they pulled ahead big. After Charlotte trimmed the lead to eight with 3:16 left, Carter followed with a jumper. Then Jackson missed a layup, and Jameer Nelson raced down court to convert a three-point play that sealed Orlando's win. Game 3 in the best-of-seven series is Saturday in Charlotte.
Peace and Much Love to Ya :)
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