Timberwolves at Mavericks Final Score 123-122: Mavs Fall In Overtime

Mar 19, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis (11) drives against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rcky Rubio (9) at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

In a game of runs, the Dallas Mavericks fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-122 in Overtime.

Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points shooting 11-27 from the field and a goose egg  0-7 from the three point line.  Monta Ellis made 22 points shooting 7-15 from the field and 4-6 from the three point line, scoring 15 in the fourth quarter and OT.  Sean Marion played a solid Marion like game with 16 points 11 rebounds and 5 assists.

Kevin Love continued to dominate the Mavs this year scoring 35 points and raking in 5 rebounds. Ricky Rubio dominated the Mavs point guards recording a triple double with 22 points 15 rebounds and 10 assists.

Defensive Woes Continue: The Mavs did improve on D as the game progressed but came out in the first quarter with absolutely no energy.  The Timberwolves had 37 points in the first quarter and the great play of Ricky Rubio gave him confidence to remain aggressive for the remainder of the game.  With Rubio so confidently scoring and driving to the lane it made it difficult to contain Kevin Love and left plenty of wide open outside shots for the T’Wolves.  Plain and simple, the Mavs guards have got to step up on defense.

Monta Had It All: Without Monta Ellis playing the way he did today, this game wouldn’t have even been close.  It looked like it was going to be one of Monta’s worst game of the season, his numbers were porous and he recorded a technical foul out of frustration.  In the fourth he went to the bench with 5 fouls, once he returned he never looked back. Monta was really the only reason the Mavs took the game to overtime making three 3’s and a three point play in the last half of the fourth quarter.  He not only played outstanding offense and made huge shots, he also stepped it up big time on defense.

Overtime: The Mavs started off OT scoring five straight only for the Timberwolves to score the next five.  With the Mavs being down by one point Dirk hit a vintage Dirk fadaway to put the Mavs up 122-121.  In the next possession, with three Mavs draped all over him, Kevin Love hit a jump hook to put the Timberwolves up 123-121 with 17 seconds left to play.  The Mavs let Dirk decide the fate of the game and he hit the left iron with a fadaway jumper over Kevin Love ending the game.

Western Conference playoff hunt:

5. Portland                –

6. Golden State    -1.5

7. Memphis           -3.5

8. Dallas           -3.5

The Phoenix Suns game is not yet over but as of now they are 2 games behind the Mavericks.

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