Nowitski run beats Wolves defensive effort 83-79
KG 26/11, Wally 25/10, Trenton 10; Mad Dog returns
*Boxscore *Video Hightlights *Recap *Play-by-Play
*Nowitzki, Terry lead late surge, Dallas Morning News
*Dirk, Mavericks Rally Past Timberwolves, AP
     (Dallas 1/7/06 by Poundmaster) Dirk Nowitski scored half of his 26 points in the final quarter as the Dallas Mavericks took the lead in the final minutes to down the Minnesota Timberwolves 83-79.
     But the difference was really free throws. While the Wolves defense held Dallas to 35% from the field, Dallas received 26 free throw opportunities to the Wolves 13, an 8-point margin. The Wolves bested the Mavs in shooting percentage from both the field and the line.
      The Timberwolves had their chances. It was already 83-79 with 18 seconds left in the game when the T-Wolves passed the ball in. They missed three successive tries in 12 seconds, i.e. two three point shots and a two point try as the clock ran out.
      Wally Szczerbiak started the 4th quarter with two three pointers to put the Timberwolves up 69-60. At the 8 minute mark, Dallas scored 5 unanswered points to pull back within 4 at 69-65 with 8:23 left in the game.
      The Timberwolves closed the third quarter with a 63-57 lead over Dallas. The Wolves defense continued to hold Dallas to 35% shooting while shooting 52% from the field on the night. Both Wally and KG already had 20 points by the first minute of the fourth quarter. A Wally three and two KG free throws gave the Wolvesa a 46-42 at the 7:30 mark in the third quarter. That led up to a spectacular alley oop fee from Trenton Hassell to KG to keep the lead at four points.
    Defense was king for the Wolves again tonight, holding Dallas to only 39 points and 35% field goal shooting in the first half. With 31 seconds left in the first half, KG continued to set the tone, forcing a turnover defending the post bucket inbound pass by Dallas. The Wolves were up 41-38 with 7 seconds remaining. Marko Jeric then blocked a Dirk Nowitzki jump shot attempt from the foul line, and the Wovles took that lead into the locker room.