Duncan Scores 53, but Nash Scores Last

Even a 53-point performance from Tim Duncan on Wednesday couldn’t stop the Dallas Mavericks, the NBA’s hottest team.

Steve Nash scored 27 points and made a three-point shot with 0.6 seconds remaining in overtime as the Mavericks won their seventh straight game, defeating the San Antonio Spurs for only the 11th time in their last 50 meetings, 126-123.

“I really wanted to hit a big shot in overtime and fortunately I got that opportunity,” Nash said. “We ran a pick and roll, and when I came off the pick I tried to get the defense off of me and create some space and was just able to get a good look.”

Dallas won despite a career night by Duncan, who scored 28 of his points in the fourth quarter and overtime and also pulled down 11 rebounds.

“I wish I’d have missed all my shots the way this turned out,” said Duncan, who was 19 of 28 from the field and connected on 15 straight free throws.

The 53 points was fourth-most scored by a San Antonio player and the most scored in an NBA game this season.

“They were getting the ball to me and I had to take my shots and the shots were falling. We’ll learn from this. We’ll get better,” Duncan said.

Michael Finley led the Mavericks with 28 points, Dirk Nowitzki added 26 and Tim Hardaway had 15.

“We had no answer for Duncan down low tonight,” Dallas Coach Don Nelson said. “Other than that I thought we played pretty well defensively. We were able to withstand many times when it looked like we were going to lose the momentum and drop this one.

“When your big three are all scoring in the 20s, that can offset a guy scoring fifty-something. But I’m not saying next time he can have 75.”

San Antonio placed five players in double figures as David Robinson backed Duncan with 13 points.

“It was a great game,” San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich said after watching his team lose its second consecutive game after 10 straight wins in the month of December.

“I was pleased with what they [Spurs] did and how they executed at both ends of the court.

“I thought [Duncan] played great. It’s great to see him taking charge. He’s telling me what to run some of the times.”