Dallas blows big lead, then recovers for win
Mavs fall behind after leading by 30, then rally at end.
DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki scored 22 points, Devin Harris hit the go-ahead shot in the final minute and the Dallas Mavericks rallied in the fourth quarter after blowing a 30-point lead, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 103-98 Friday night.
Former Texas Longhorn LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 20 for Portland, including 18 in the third quarter when the Blazers went in front for the first time at 69-67 after trailing 44-14 early in the second quarter.
The Mavericks nearly tied the franchise record for their biggest blown lead. They lost at the Los Angeles Lakers 105-103 on Dec. 6, 2002, after leading 66-36 early in the third quarter.
The score was tied at 98 when Aldridge missed a shot from the lane and Harris won the scramble for the rebound. He dribbled the length of the floor and hit a leaning shot on the baseline and was fouled by Damian Lillard.
After the free throw put Dallas up by three, Aldridge’s pass went over Lillard’s head out of bounds.
Monta Ellis missed two free throws, but Vince Carter snuck in for the offensive rebound and was fouled. Carter made both free throws, and Ellis had a steal to seal a wild win that snapped the Mavericks’ season-high threegame losing streak.
Dallas took its first 30-point lead on Brandan Wright’s alley-oop dunk in the second quarter.