Dallas Mavericks Lose In OT to Toronto Raptors 109-108

Dec 20, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks allowed a 19-point lead to slip away. The Mavs shot 68% from the field in the first quarter, scoring 22 of their 33 points in the paint. All signs pointed to another home victory, but the Toronto Raptors woke up in the second half.

Former Raptor Jose Calderon had his best scoring game this season with 23 points, including 7-of-10 from downtown. “We got a 19 point lead and just kind of gave it away in five or six minutes”, said Calderon. “It was tough. We had some miss-communication on defense and some problems. They scored easy and got their momentum back.”

The Raptors started the fourth quarter with an 11-0 run going ahead 89-81 with 9:41 left in the game, their biggest lead. Shawn Marion hit big shot with 20.9 seconds left to put the Mavs ahead, but DeMar DeRozan tied things up with a jumper on the other end. Dirk Nowitzki had a chance to win it in regulation, but missed a tough jumper over Amir Johnson.

In the overtime period the game remained close. DeRozan would rise to the occasion and hit a game-winning shot. He finished with 15 points, most of which came in the fourth and overtime.

This marks the Mavericks first home loss to an Eastern Conference team and their first overtime game of the season.

Coach Rick Carlisle:

"It wrong in the first half. We build a big lead and then we have breakdowns. We had too many mistakes and they chewed into the lead very quickly. A 19-point lead in this league is hard to build. You have to play well and do a lot of things on both sides of the ball. To give it up that easy gave them a lot of life and they outlasted us."

Dirk Nowitzki finished with 22 point and nine rebounds in the loss. His comments:

"It was a long stretch there, but it really started out in the third quarter…It is what it is and I have got to make that last turnaround [shot]. We just didn’t finish they way we wanted to. We had enough chances, so that’s a game that we can’t lose."

Dallas will have to try to bounce back on the road tonight against a dangerous Phoenix Suns team

Game Notes: Monta Ellis had 21 points with 11 assists making this his third double-double of the season and 41st of his career. Vince Carter, after showing signs of improvement the last two games, socres 0 points in 18 minutes. Toronto’s starting five all scored at least 15 points.