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 Instead of giving the Dallas Mavericks a victory at the end of
regulation Tuesday night, the veteran point guard did so at the end
of the second overtime.
Williams' 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer finished off an
improbable 8-0 run that lifted the Mavs past the Sacramento Kings
117-116 at American Airlines Center.
"We needed this one in a bad way," Williams said.
The Mavericks (20-15) snapped a two-game losing streak and beat the
Kings for the 22nd consecutive time in Dallas.
Sacramento (14-21) had won its two previous games, including the
franchise's first-ever victory in Oklahoma City on Monday night.
"This road trip I think we'll remember that we're coming together in
a good way, but just disappointed not to have two wins instead of
one," Kings coach George Karl said. "The only thing I can complain
about is the outcome of the game."
The Kings, despite being down two starters and down as many as 10
points in the second half, were in position to pull off another
stunner when they led 116-109 with 1:20 left in the second OT.
Power forward Dirk Nowitzki's 3-pointer pulled Dallas within two
points with 26 seconds left. Kings guard Darren Collison shot an air
ball, setting up a final possession for the Mavs with 2.3 seconds
left.
Williams (25 points) took a sideline inbounds pass in the corner and
used one pump fake on Kings small forward Rudy Gay before draining
the game-winner at the buzzer. He also hit a finger roll with 2.1
seconds left in regulation that gave Dallas a 98-96 edge.
"I found myself open, Gay flying at me, just pump faked and I let it
go," said Williams, back in the starting lineup after coming off the
bench for two games to nurse a hamstring injury.
The Kings were carried by center DeMarcus Cousins and Gay, as point
guard Rajon Rondo and small forward Omri Casspi sat out with
injuries.
Cousins scored Sacramento's first nine points in the second extra
session, and finished with 35 points and 17 rebounds. He added six
steals and four assists, and sent the game into the first overtime
with a driving layup.
"It was an incredible game," Cousins said. "Both teams left it on
the floor. We don't want to make any excuses. Of course we are
shorthanded, but we had plenty of opportunities to win the game
tonight.
"Big shots from them, big shots from us, it was just whoever made
the biggest shot. It was a good game, it was a fun game."
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Gay scored 31 on 13-of-20 shooting. His 3-pointer gave Sacramento a
116-109 lead late in the second OT.
"When you're down seven with 1:20 to go, you have to pitch a perfect
game," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "The odds are 1-in-100 that
you can actually do it, but you've got to have belief."
Nowitzki scored 23 and shooting guard Wesley Matthews had 20 points.
Reserve center JaVale McGee had first double-double in nearly three
years with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Dallas fans were anticipating the return of Rondo, but the league's
assist leader was out with a bad back. The back began giving him
problems against Oklahoma City and worsened Tuesday morning.
Rondo and the Mavs were a bad fit last season after an early-season
trade from Boston, and he left the team during the first round of
the playoffs.
Mavs small forward Chandler Parsons exited the game with a right hip
injury.
The Mavericks finish off a back-to-back Wednesday night at New
Orleans. Sacramento returns home Thursday to play host to the Los
Angeles Lakers.
NOTES: Cousins passed Chris Webber has the all-time rebound leader
in the Sacramento era of franchise's history. ... The Kings were
without F Omri Casspi (back) and C Willie Cauley-Stein (finger). G
Ben McLemore (back) was active. ... Dallas G Deron Williams
(hamstring) was active after missing the fourth quarter of
Saturday's loss to New Orleans. G Devin Harris (back) was also
active. ... The Kings won the previous matchup with Dallas 112-98 in
Sacramento on Nov. 30.
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