Spurs edge Mavericks, Lakers beat Jazz after overtime
San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (R) tries to strip the ball from Dallas Mavericks guard Marquis Daniels during first half action in Dallas, Texas, December 1, 2005. (Xinhua/Reuters)WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 92-90 helped by Dallas former player Michael Finley, who scored 15 points, including three key free throws in the final 23 seconds, in the NBA game in Dallas on Thursday.
Making his first start for the Spurs with Manu Ginobill out because of a jammed right foot, Finley made his first shot and finished with one point more than Dirk Nowitzki, whose shooting woes continued. Plus, Finley made the free throws down the stretch.
Tony Parker scored a season-high 30 points and Tim Duncan was held to 13 points but had 14 rebounds. Nowitzki was just 3-of-13 shooting and is 20-of-64 his last three games.
Marquils Daniels finished with a season-high 24 points and Jason Terry added 18 for the Mavs, who lost consecutive games for the first time under coach Avery Johnson. The Mavericks missed a chance to match San Antonio's record by losing for the third time in four games.
In Salt Lake City, Kobe Bryant made two free throws after a disputed foul with 0.4 seconds left in regulation, and Sasha Vujacic made a 3-pointer with 14 seconds remaining in overtime to lead the Los Angeles Lakers over the Utah Jazz 105-101.
The Lakers blew a 14-point lead in the second half, then had to win without Bryant after he fouled out with more than 2 minutes left in overtime.
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (L) puts up a shot over Dallas Mavericks guard Marqu