Mavericks rally from 29 down to stun Timberwolves

[December 31, 2008]  DALLAS (AP) -- Jason Terry scored 24 of his 29 points in the second half, and the Dallas Mavericks rallied from a 29-point deficit to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-100 on Tuesday night.

The Timberwolves led 70-41 early in the third quarter when the Mavericks started their comeback, the largest in franchise history.

Dallas' first big push was a 22-2 run to get to 72-63. Terry scored 12 points as the Mavericks opened the fourth period outscoring the Timberwolves 22-7.

Minnesota's Al Jefferson had a three-point play to tie the game at 98 with 2:35 left. But Dirk Nowitzki, who scored 24 points, tipped in his own miss to give Dallas a 100-98 lead with 2:15 to go. Josh Howard hit a 3-pointer and Nowitzki punctuated the comeback with a layup that gave Dallas a 105-98 advantage.

Al Jefferson scored 21, Ryan Gomes added 19 and Randy Foye had 18 for the Timberwolves, who blew their largest lead in franchise history.

Howard scored 23 and Jason Kidd had 14 points and a season-high 16 assists for Dallas.

The Mavericks, who saw coach Rick Carlisle get ejected in the second quarter, outscored the Timberwolves 66-30 in the final 22:26.

Minnesota led by 22 at halftime and outscored Dallas 8-1 in the first 1:34 of the third quarter.

Nowitzki, who was playing his first game since serving a one-game suspension, started the rally with a dunk. He hit a free throw to cap a 22-2 spurt that brought the Mavericks to 72-63.

Minnesota still led 84-73 after three quarters before Terry scored 12 straight points, the last of those coming on a jumper that cut the Timberwolves' lead to 91-89.

Kidd tied it with a jumper, and the Mavericks took their first lead on Nowitzki's dunk at 93-91 with 5:26 left.

Dallas' previous largest comeback was 25 points against Denver on Nov. 26, 1994.

The Timberwolves led 27-20 after the first quarter and quickly built their lead into double digits.

Brian Cardinal stripped Nowitzki while he was driving for a layup, and Rodney Carney scored on a breakaway dunk to give the Timberwolves a 46-30 cushion with 6:30 left in the opening half.

Carlisle argued the non-call on Nowitzki and was given two quick technicals by official Gary Zielinski. It was Carlisle's first ejection with Dallas, and assistant Dwane Casey -- who once coached the Timberwolves -- ran the team for the remainder of the game.

Jefferson hit two free throws to extend Minnesota's lead to 60-35. That capped a 20-5 run.

The Timberwolves outscored the Mavericks 35-20 in the second quarter.

Notes: Minnesota G Mike Miller (sprained right ankle) missed his fifth straight game. ... Mavericks G Jose Barea left with a left shoulder strain and did not return. ... Football players from Mississippi and Texas Tech were in attendance. The Rebels and Red Raiders are in town to play in the Cotton Bowl on Friday.

[Associated Press; By DAVID JIMENEZ]

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