Nowitzki's 41 points lead Mavs over Spurs in OT

[November 19, 2009]  DALLAS (AP) -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 11 of his season-high 41 points in overtime and the short-handed Dallas Mavericks held on to beat the injury-depleted San Antonio Spurs 99-94 on Wednesday night.

Nowitzki's three-point play with 2:28 left in overtime put Dallas in front for good, 92-91.

After Jason Terry hit a 15-footer, Nowitzki made a 3-pointer on Dallas' next possession to stretch the lead to 97-91.

Drew Gooden added 17 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth quarter to help Dallas extend its winning streak to four games.

Gooden, who finished last season with the Spurs before signing with the Mavericks on July 20, started at center with Erick Dampier out because of an unknown illness. Dallas was also without starters Josh Howard and Shawn Marion because of left ankle injuries.

Tim Duncan had 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs, winless in four road games this season.

The Spurs were without starting guard Tony Parker, who aggravated his sprained left ankle in Saturday night's loss to Oklahoma City. San Antonio also lost guard Manu Ginobili in the first quarter due to a strained left groin.

With the game tied at 80, Gooden was credited with a basket on a goaltending call against Antonio McDyess with 1:58 left in regulation to put Dallas ahead.

Duncan drove to the basket on the next possession and Gooden picked up his sixth foul. Duncan converted both free throws to knot the score at 82 with 31 seconds remaining.

Nowitzki's tip-in 17 seconds later gave Dallas an 84-82 lead, but Duncan's jump-hook with 2.3 seconds remaining drew San Antonio even.

Dallas had a shot to win in regulation, but Duncan blocked Terry's 19-footer at the buzzer.

Dallas held 37-35 a lead at the break after a cold-shooting first half by both teams. San Antonio converted 13 of its 38 field goal attempts, while Dallas went 16 for 43.

The Mavericks carried a 63-59 lead into the fourth quarter, ending the third with six unanswered points capped by Tim Thomas' follow with 32 seconds left. Gooden scored 11 and Nowitzki had nine in the third.

NOTES: Ginobili started and scored two points in eight minutes of the first quarter, then went to the locker room before the start of the second quarter and was done for the night. ... Marion was hurt in a game at Milwaukee on Monday night. ... Howard missed his eighth game as he recovers from offseason surgery. ... Dampier has been undergoing tests to determine the nature of the illness, and results won't be known until next week. ...Thomas made his debut for Dallas after sitting out the first 11 games while he completed his recovery from offseason surgery on his right knee. Thomas, who finished with two points in 14 minutes, was signed as a free agent on July 28. ... Dallas returned after a 3-1 trip.

[Associated Press]

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