Mavericks vs Blazers Final Score 103-98: Mavs Blow 30-Point Lead Then Completes 4th-Quarter Comeback

Mar 7, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks point guard Devin Harris (20) and power forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) makes a basket the Mavericks taking the lead over the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Trail Blazers 103-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

DALLAS MAVERICKS vs PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS Recap- March 7, 2014

In what was the strangest game of the season, the Dallas Mavericks blew a 30-point lead and found themselves down as much as seven in the fourth quarter, only to finish the game on an 11-0 run and defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 103-98 on March 7 at American Airlines Center to snap a season-long three-game losing streak.

By now, you may be reading that again and wondering ‘what the huh?’ Yes, we all know, but keep in mind, I can’t make this stuff up.

Dallas led 33-10 after the first quarter behind Jose Calderon’s 15 points. He had scored 13 in the previous two games combine.

The Mavs then went up as much as 42-12 after Dirk Nowitzki hit an 18-foot jumper with 9:49 left in the first half. That’s when it started to fall apart.

Portland had scored just 12 points in the first 21 minutes before finishing the last nine outscoring Dallas 26-15 to trail by 19 at halftime. The Blazers scored 12 points in the first 2:30 of the third quarter before the Mavs had to call a timeout, seeing their lead cut down to 11.

The Mavericks went down 71-67 after LaMarcus Aldridge’s basket with 2:26 left in the third. At that point, the Blazers were on a 59-25 run since being down 30. Somehow though, Dallas went into the final 12 minutes with a 75-74 lead.

The Blazers went up as much as 89-82 in the fourth, their biggest lead of the game (77-40 run since being down 42-12), with 8:36 remaining.

Dallas took a timeout with 4:26 left after Aldridge made it 98-92. The Blazers wouldn’t score again, that’s 4:26 REMAINING.

Vince Carter and Devin Harris scored nine of the final 11 to help Dallas snap its losing streak and remain in the 8th spot in the West.

Leaders Of The Night:

Nowitzki- 22 points (8-of-19), 5 rebounds, 6 assists

Calderon- 19 points (8-of-16)

Monta Ellis- 17 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals

Aldridge- 30 points (13-of-28), 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals

Wesley Matthews- 26 points (11-of-19), 6 rebounds

Milestone Watch: With 22 points, Nowitzki now sits 27 points away from passing the Hall-of-Famer John Havlicek for 12th in all-time scoring. He’ll have a chance to do it against the Indiana Pacers at home on March 9. Nowitzki scored 18 points in his only match up with the Pacers, and has scored neary 24 points in three games this month. He had 27 against Denver on March 5.

12. John Havlicek- 26, 395

13. Dirk Nowitzki- 26,369

Send It In Young Fella: Play of the game…It’s Vintage Vinsanity! Carter had a nice dunk over Robin Lopez with 4:17 left in the third to give the Mavs a 67-64 lead. Mark Followill on the call, and I think he got a little excited, don’t you think…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY-kpwbClgQ

Game Highlights: If your heart has finally stopped racing in the last 24 hours due to this game, here are the highlights courtesy of NBA.com. If you think you can’t handle it, I strongly advise you from watching this video. *Note: The best part came at the 1:50 mark when Nowitzki drew a foul on Thomas Robinson. The camera shifts to Terry Stotts, who seems to be flailing, as if he was saying that’s what Dirk was doing. This is funny because Stotts helped coach Dirk and the Mavs from 2008-12.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHDblwixAk8