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Notebook: Mavericks 93, Kings 91
James Ham, for NBA.com
Posted Sun Apr 06, 2014 9:44 PM - Updated Sun Apr 06, 2014 10:08 PM
THE FACT: With a win, the Mavericks improved to 47-31 on the season and still cling to a half-game lead for the seventh spot in the Western Conference playoffs.
THE LEAD: Needing a win in the worst way to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Dallas Mavericks (47-31) barely squeaked out the 93-91 victory over the Sacramento Kings (27-50).
Monta Ellis used his lightning quick speed to torment Sacramento all game. The Mavericks second-leading scorer on the season finished with 23 points on 9-for-19 shooting.
Vince Carter provided a solid 17 points in 25 minutes off the Mavs bench, including two clutch 3-pointers in the fourth and Jose Calderon dropped in 14 points in the win.
The Mavericks had no answer for either Rudy Gay or DeMarcus Cousins tonight at Sleep Train Arena. Gay finished with a game-high 32 points and tied his career-high with eight assists.
Cousins continued his dominant play, scoring 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for his 49th double-double of the season.
QUOTABLE: "We just have to keep fighting. It's going to be tough these last few games, but we just have to stay together, ride the course and get as many wins as we can."
-- Ellis on the win
THE STAT: Dallas' backcourt of Ellis and Calderon outscored the Kings rookie duo of Ray McCallum and Ben McLemore 37-13.
TURNING POINT: With 12.7 seconds remaining in the game and the Mavericks leading 92-89, Shawn Marion bricked two free throws and almost blew this game for Dallas.
HOT: Gay was tremendous tonight, scoring 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting.
NOT: Dirk Nowitzki struggled with his shot all game long. The future Hall of Famer dropped in 15 points, but shot only 5-for-17 from the field.
QUOTABLE II: "DeMarcus and Rudy were phenomenal all night. From the beginning on, they looked aggressive. They looked in a groove."
-- Nowitzki on Gay and Cousins
QUOTABLE III: "It's men, not machines. A guy's not going to make every shot, all the time."
-- Coach Rick Carlisle on Nowitzki's night.
GOOD MOVE: Carlisle went to a zone early and often in this one, which really threw off the Kings offense.
BAD MOVE: Marion and Nowitzki combined to miss three-of-four free throws in the final 13 seconds to make this one interesting.
NOTABLE: Former King and Maverick forward Peja Stojakovic was in attendance today sitting courtside with owner Vivek Ranadivé.
UP NEXT: For the Mavs, Tuesday @ Jazz, Thursday vs. Spurs, Saturday vs. Phoenix. For the Kings, Tuesday vs. Thunder, Wednesday @ Trail Blazers, Saturday @ Clippers.
