Mavs Fall To Spurs, Drop To 8th With Two Games Left

Apr 10, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Marco Belinelli (3) guards Dallas Mavericks guard Vince Carter (25) during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

DALLAS MAVERICKS vs SAN ANTONIO SPURS Recap- April 10

San Antonio was without Tony Parker, but got 26 points from Patty Mills as the Spurs defeated the Dallas Mavericks 109-100 at American Airlines Center on April 10.

The Spurs snapped Dallas’ four-game win streak and dropped them into a tie for the two final playoff spots with the Phoenix Suns. The Mavericks are 8th by virtue of a .600 win percentage compared to Phoenix’s .603.

Dallas has dropped to 4-5 in its last nine home games and has dropped its last nine meetings with the Spurs.

Monta Ellis scored a team-high 24 points on 10-of-22 shooting while Dirk Nowitzki added 19 on 8-of-14 shooting.

Dallas came out flat to start, but outscored San Antonio 29-19 in the second quarter to take a 51-49 lead into halftime. Nowitzki didn’t score in the opening quarter, but put in 12 points before the break.

The Spurs regained the momentum with a 34-point third quarter while holding the Mavs to 21, and never looked back.

Dallas attempted a comeback after scoring eight straight late in the fourth to cut it to 104-98, but Kawhi Leonard followed it up with a corner three.

Leonard had a big game, recording 16 points, 16 boards, five dimes and two steals. Tim Duncan also added a double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Duncan left in the first half, momentarily, after hyperextending his knee. He went straight to the locker room, but returned soon after.

San Antonio sweeps the season series with its in-state rivals after sweeping the Mavs last season. It’s the first time the Mavs have been swept by the Spurs in two consecutive seasons since three in a row from 1991-94.

Dallas has two games remaining on its schedule. The Mavericks host the Suns on April 12 then travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies on April 16 to end the regular season.

The Mavericks are 1-1 versus the Suns this year with both teams winning on the opposing court. Dallas already owns the season tiebreaker against the Grizzlies, 3-0. The Mavericks are one game ahead of the Grizzlies for a playoff spot.

Phoenix also has to play the Grizzlies as well as the Spurs on April 11 and the Kings to end the season.

Memphis also plays the Sixers and Lakers.