Dallas Overcomes Wells’ Big Effort

The Dallas Mavericks got the big plays they expect from every member of their Big Three on Wednesday night in Dallas.

Rather than riding a huge night from Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks got key plays from him, Steve Nash and Michael Finley for a 103-99 victory over Portland in Game 2 of their first-round Western Conference series.

Dallas overcame a career-high 45 points by Bonzi Wells and takes a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven matchup to Portland for Game 3 on Friday night.

The Trail Blazers have lost nine consecutive playoff games dating to 2000, and are halfway to getting swept out of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

Nash had 11 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, including a three-point basket with 29.7 seconds left to break a 98-98 tie.

Then Finley got the rebound of a missed free throw by Wells on the other end, leading to two free throws by Nash with 14.5 seconds left.

Portland’s last chance ended when Rasheed Wallace and Jeff McInnis missed hurried three-point attempts. Eduardo Najera got the final rebound and dribbled out the clock in front of a crowd of 20,356, a team record for the second consecutive game.

Nowitzki had 25 points, a big drop from a career-best 46 in the opener. But with Nash and Finley (17 points) coming through, the Mavericks were better off. Najera and Nick Van Exel each had 12 points off the bench.

Wells, who had 18 in the fourth quarter, was Portland’s only threat. Wallace had 18 points, but made only six of 17 shots. The Trail Blazers got only three minutes out of their usual starting backcourt as Scottie Pippen, who has an injured left knee, didn’t dress and Derek Anderson left because of an injury to his left knee.

Wells put on the kind of performance Nowitzki had in Game 1. Nowitzki wasn’t able to repeat it this time, missing his first six shots. He didn’t make a basket until 10:49 of the second quarter.

Portland made it tough on Nowitzki, constantly banging him when he drove the lane and seldom giving him open looks from the outside.

Detroit 89, Orlando 77 -- Tracy McGrady scored 46 points, but five Pistons scored in double figures in Game 2 at Detroit to even their first-round Eastern Conference series at 1-1.

McGrady’s teammates, led by Andrew DeClercq’s nine points, combined for only 31 points.

“I can’t win it by myself,” McGrady said. “I’m pretty sure they should understand that, but I give Detroit credit for really shutting those guys down.”

Richard Hamilton had 30 points one game after scoring 28 in his playoff debut for Detroit. Chauncey Billups had 15, Corliss Williamson added 13 and Cliff Robinson scored 10.

Ben Wallace showed why he was named the NBA defensive player of the year earlier in the day -- for the second consecutive year. He had three steals and three blocked shots to go with 16 rebounds and 10 points.

Philadelphia 90, New Orleans 85 -- This time, Allen Iverson didn’t have to do all the scoring.

Coming off a brilliant 55-point performance in the series opener, Iverson had 29 and Kenny Thomas had 17 points and 16 rebounds to lead the 76ers at Philadelphia.

The 76ers lead the Eastern Conference series, 2-0. Game 3 is Saturday in New Orleans.

“The guys knew what they had to do to get over the hump,” Iverson said. “It makes it that much easier on me, takes more pressure off me and lets me concentrate on the defensive end.”

Derrick Coleman had 12 points and six assists and Keith Van Horn added 11 points for the 76ers. Thomas, Van Horn and Coleman -- Philadelphia’s starting frontcourt -- combined for only 11 points in Game 1. This time they got 40.