Nowitzki Excels in Overtime Work

Dirk Nowitzki did the one thing the Indiana Pacers could not do: make free throws in the closing seconds of an overtime.

Nowitzki scored 38 points, had 17 rebounds and made the game-winning free throws with 3.6 seconds left, and the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Pacers, 141-140, in two overtimes Tuesday night at Indianapolis.

Michael Finley scored 31 points and had 14 rebounds, Steve Nash had 25 points and 10 assists and Tim Hardaway had 21 points for the Mavericks, who reached a season-high point total.

Jamaal Tinsley missed two free throws for Indiana with 5.4 seconds left in the first overtime and the score tied, 131-131. Jeff Foster grabbed the rebound off the second miss and was fouled but also missed twice.

“Chances are, somebody’s going to get a break when you miss your free throws,” Dallas Coach Don Nelson said. “That’s the only reason we won the game.”

With 1:56 left in the second overtime, Reggie Miller, who scored 23 points, put the Pacers ahead, 136-134, and Austin Croshere followed with a dunk on the next possession to make it 138-134.

Croshere, who hadn’t scored more than 14 points this season and had fallen out of Coach Isiah Thomas’ rotation, tied a career-high with 32 points and had 12 rebounds. Jalen Rose led the Pacers with 33 points and Tinsley had 18 points and 19 assists.

Hardaway made a three-point basket and Nowitzki made two free throws to cut the deficit to 140-139 with 9.2 seconds left.

Jonathan Bender missed two free throws with 8.4 seconds left, setting up Nowitzki’s free throws.

Washington 99, Toronto 94--Michael Jordan scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half at Washington and the Wizards won their fourth in a row and for the sixth time in seven games.

Vince Carter scored 29 points for Toronto but only four in the fourth quarter, negating a good defensive effort in which he fought through screens to frustrate Jordan for much of the game.

Boston 82, Charlotte 79--Paul Pierce scored 24 points and Antoine Walker had 19 for the Celtics at Charlotte, N.C.

Baron Davis scored 28 points for the Hornets.

Detroit 86, Philadelphia 82--Jerry Stackhouse scored 29 points at Auburn Hills, Mich., and the Pistons capitalized on Allen Iverson missing his final 11 shots.

Iverson scored 26 points on seven-for-31 shooting. Philadelphia had won 10 of 13 and six in a row against the Pistons, who have won six of their last seven.

Orlando 106, Cleveland 98--Tracy McGrady had 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists and reserve Troy Hudson scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half for the Magic at Orlando, Fla.

Wesley Person scored 21 points for the Cavaliers, who have lost 15 of their last 16.

Atlanta 76, Miami 73--Shareef Abdul-Rahim had 34 points and 11 rebounds at Miami, and the Hawks ended the Heat’s three-game winning streak.

Rod Strickland and Eddie Jones each scored 16 points for Miami, which lost for only the third time in its last 13.

Denver 97, Portland 96--Ryan Bowen made a layup and a free throw with 13 seconds left, lifting the Nuggets at Denver.

Raef LaFrentz had 25 points for the Nuggets, who ended a three-game losing streak. Nick Van Exel had 20 points and 16 assists. Ruben Patterson had 31 points for Portland.

Memphis 86, Utah 79--Rodney Buford scored 20 points and Pau Gasol had 19 points and 13 rebounds at Memphis, Tenn., helping the Grizzlies stop a three-game skid.

Seattle 113, Golden State 87--Rashard Lewis scored 25 points and Gary Payton had 20 points and nine assists for the SuperSonics at Oakland.

The SuperSonics ended a three-game losing streak by beating the Warriors for the 11th consecutive time.