By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Dallas Mavericks have probably the greatest European player in their roster, Dirk Nowitzki, and they got the crucial for the playoffs race win over Houston the euro-way. With a 3 points lead and 4 seconds left, Dallas fouled in order to avoid a three-points shot that could have send the game to overtime.
This is a common practice in European basketball, but until recently it wasn’t used in the NBA with the most notorious example being the Spurs leading by 3 in Game 6 of the 2013 finals, not fouling and giving the chance to Ray Allen to send the game to overtime. After the 88-86 win, Dallas has a 40-38 record and the 7th spot in the West, Utah is 8th at 39-39 and Houston remains 9th at 38-40. Meanwhile Portland despite a monster game by Enes Kanter (33 p., 20 r.) got the 120-115 win over the Thunder and clinched a playoffs spot.
Results of the day
Indiana Pacers – Cleveland Cavaliers 123-109 (Mahinmi 15 p., 8 r.)
Orlando Magic – Detroit Pistons 104-108 (Vucevic 15 p., 13 r.)
Washington Wizards – Brooklyn Nets 121-103 (Gortat 16 p., 12 r.)
Boston Celtics – New Orleans Pelicans 104-97 (JErebko 6 p., 5 r.)
New York Knicks – Charlotte Hornets 97-111 (Vujacic 16 p.)
Dallas Mavericks – Houston Rockets 88-86 (Nowitzki 7 p., 6 r.)
Portland Trail Blazers – OKC Thunder 120-115 (Kanter 33 p., 20 r.)
L.A. Lakers – L.A. Clippers 81-91 (Bryant 17 p.)
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